Hi again...
I forgot to ask about this strange symptom. I find my hands get very cold when I'm suffering the most pain. Has anyone else with PMR experienced this?
I've read that many people who later develop rheumatic diseases have something called Raynaud's syndrome in their younger years - in which the hands turn almost white because of a decreased blood supply. I think I had this in my 40s and 50s and I'm wondering if the PMR is reactivating it.
This is obviously not a very serious aspect of my condition, but it is odd and I'd like to hear if others have experienced it.
Thanks. Carole.
Hi Carole, I am the exact opposite. My palms and fingers go bright RED.
I can feel a flush/feverish bout coming on and watch my hands turn red. This usually lasts about 30mins 5 to 10 times a day. It was more before I started on Pred. I told and showed the Drs about this and they just looked at me funny and shrugged their shoulders. One said I had more to worry about than that! My daughter has Raynard's and her hands turn white.
Hi Lyn,
I get those fever bouts too - but it never extends to my hands. It may be that they just feel cold when the rest of the bod feels so hot! ;-)) I have lowish blood pressure (which is good) and I probably don't notice my cool hands most of the time. Canada has a long winter and you get used to the cooler temps.
It's got to have something to do with the recognized connection of PMR with Giant Cell Arteritis - another rheumatic disorder. Certain arteries (sometimes those supplying the arms) can become inflamed and pump less blood than usual. This is quite serious when they affect the head.
I had never heard of RS before doing some research on arthritic/rheumatic conditions - and I certainly never thought it serious enough to report to a doctor when I was younger - but I'm certainly going to mention it in my upcoming (and first) appt with a bona fide rheumatologist.
I find it amazing that doctors are so ignorant and dismissive of rheumatic symptoms. As if their patients were hypochondriacs! I've been lucky in that respect - but you read about such horror stories when you start to look into it.
Thanks for the feedback! You have to be a bit of a detective when you get hit with such life altering symptoms. From what I've heard, depending on doctors to figure out the cause can be a long and painful experience. Thank God (figuratively!) for the net!
Do keep in touch. Knowing we're not alone is very comforting.
Carole.