I just found this forum and want to tell you how I got here. I had a routine flu shot 6 weeks ago and the following a.m. I woke with stiff hands that really hurt. Never had anything like this before. Called the doc who said it couldn't be from the flu shot. A couple days later I had awful pain in my shoulders, arms, wrists and hands. Went to another doc who ran some blood tests and he thought it was fibromyalgia. I started prednisone which I didn't think was helping but when I stopped the pain woke me up at nite and started in my legs too. So I'm back on prednisone and it's bearable. But my doc thinks this will only last a few weeks. From what I'm reading here that's not true. Any input will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jule
Hi Jule!
As you can read on this board, PMR takes at least a year, often more to cure. You should probably be glad that it doesn´t seem to be fibromyalgia. Have a look at http://www.spine-health.com/topics/cd/fib/manage/fib_man06.h tml and you will see that prednisone doesn´t seem to help fibromyalgia.
Copied from that site:
Cortico steroids
Steroids have been assessed for treatment of fibromyalgia. In a two-week study to assess the efficacy of Prednisone, there was no significant difference between the Prednisone or placebo or baseline (46). However, it is thought that a therapeutic trial of Prednisone may be beneficial for the patient if a co-existent, steroid responsive disorder is suspected.
Good luck with recovering even if it will take more than a couple of weeks. By taking prednisone it seems to be bearable for you.
Ragnar
welcome to the message board, there are many of us looking for a remedy/cure and or a miracle for pain I'm sure you will receive many helpful suggestions and certainly very strong support as we all know what it is like......hang in there many prayers for you &nb sp; rose
|
| |
My GP gave me some prednisone when I went to him with the aches and pains. Pain was gone within hours. I went to a Rheumy who decided I had fibromyalgia and took me off the pred. Pain returned. I did some research and decided that I didn't have fibromyalgia because:
Prednisone will not provide relief for FM, therefore, it can't be FM
If prednisone does provide relief, it's not necessarily PMR, but it's not fibromyalgia.
For lots of other reasons, I fired my Rheumy (part of the long story) and found a new one who diagnosed me within 5 minutes. And besides, he was WRONG!!!
hello all: just proves my latest observations of drs. rhymy's etc. when u go for your appointment....they listen??? they write up a prescription (s)??? or refer you to a specialist???OR look at their watch?? do u agree all of the above are TRUE or FALSE.. This describes what happened to me yesterday at my dr's appointment and apparently what you all have gone through or going through step by step..... u hear what they are saying about the Doomsday clock??? not in my better frame of mind to-day must be the chronic pain of it all Rose
|
hello all: just proves my latest observations of drs. rhymy's etc. when u go for your appointment....they listen??? My first Rheumy seemed to listen at the first visit. He ran some blood tests, did some pressure point tests, and decided that I had fibromyalgia and started my decreasing prednisone. When I got to about 5 mg, I complained that the pain had returned. His response was "Well, that is fibromyalgia. You know that, don't you?" (what a jerk!) So, since he had decided that I had FM, he stopped listening to me. That is the biggest reason that I fired him. they write up a prescription (s)??? He gave me no help whatsoever. No explanation, no advise, no prescripton. or refer you to a specialist??? I searched for a new Rheumy. I found a wonderful woman. What impressed me the most was that she did really listen. She asked me a lot of questions and listened to the answers. And she had me diagnosed in about 5 mintues. She prescribed the prednisone and gave me a sheet of side effects and what to watch for. She also said she was not a huge predisone fan, but recognized that it was sometimes necessary. And gave me a schedule for follow for decreasing. OR look at their watch?? First Rheumy definately was conscious of time spend with me. He stood up while I was trying to ask question. Current one spends a great deal of time. (Can you tell I love her?) do u agree all of the above are TRUE or FALSE.. This describes what happened to me yesterday at my dr's appointment and apparently what you all have gone through or going through step by step..... Rose, I am so sorry that you are having difficulty. Is there any possibility that you can change doctors? It is so important to have a good connection - for any condition, but particularly with this PMR. {{Hugs}} Rose |
tks for reply stitchy....my dr. put me on arthratac (arthritis meds.) helped but played havoc with my stomach, going to now switch to Tylenal Arthritis???my husband just shakes his head>. how he ever survived my pred.'s "mood changes" I'll never know at 74 I thought I was finished with PMS....to PMR....
Off to eye specialist to-morrow maybe to explain why I have such head, neck and shoulder pain since last rheumy said "No PMR" SED rate only 32????he performed cataract surgery on both eyes while on pred after seeing him I think I will go to a vet.
Keep smiling??rose
Rose
I wish docs wouldn't put such an emphasis on the SED rate for diagnosing PMR. Mine is in the normal range for my age. I think it is 26? Definately not high, and I do have PMR.
http://www.aafp.org/afp/991001ap/1443.html