Starlady

[Starwoman]

Hi! I,m a newbie. Am polymyalgia and OA for a no of years and umteen visits to Docs, blood tests etc! Very interested in some of your comments and advice.

A lot of stiffness in hands and legs back and hips, pain in big toes neck and right shoulder. Just come back from docs again to be told its only OA for which there is not much that can be done as it is a degenerate condition. ( Keep taking the tablets Paracetamol)! Had to ask for Hips Exray. It seems that self diagnosis and some knowledge of the subject is the only form of defence. Seeking stronger pain relief but as I am taking tablets for my Heart, (I have 4 stents) Am unsure what would be OK. Guess it's back to a telephone call!!

[DorsetLady]

By “polymyalgia” do you mean Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) ? Many of symptoms do sound suspiciously like it. Has your ESR and CRP been tested? And are they raised?

If so you might be better looking at their dedicated forum -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk

[Slivia in reply to DorsetLady]

Your right about ESR etc. Blood tests show all sorts & are a good diagnostictool. However, the most important is Movement. I have spinal problems

plus OA in ankle bones, with horrid osteophytes now developing in feet bones. I try & do Pilates reg. for spinal problems. Plus walking reg. daily.

I had a Spinal guided steroid epidural recently. Sciatic Pain has greatly

diminished, but not permanently. However, months without Severe Sciatica

is wonderful. The Persistant Pain Clinic at Blandford Forum Hospital

is where the pprocedure was done, by a v good Pain Consultant.

We are still lucky to have our good NHS in Dorset, compared with other

parts of the U.K.

Hope this helps

[DorsetLady in reply to Slivia]

Good outcome for you, and yes I know Dorset is lucky with nhs, but was this reply meant for Starwoman ..

[Slivia in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi Yes. But Starwoman will prob. read this & understand it was for her.However, I have learnt such a lot from healthunlocked.com & glad I am now back onto site.

[Happyrosie]

Your pharmacist might be able to suggest something that do interfere with your other medication. Have a look at the websites of the various British charities dealing with this such as Arthritis Action.

[piglette]

I am getting much to the conclusion that the best thing is never to get ill, but that is a bit difficult if have problems already. I suspect my local medical centre has virtually stopped functioning altogether.

[Vacyone]

Hi, yes, sadly there doesn’t seem much docs will do. They have a line of treatment and you start off at the beginning and very lucky if they get to end before the pain is too intense!My neck is very painful, first visit doc wants me to have physio, 😥😥😥

No idea what’s wrong with neck but hey hopefully that will pacify me.

May as well go on internet and heal myself.

[Holdingbacktheyears in reply to Vacyone]

So sorry about the pain in your neck, this is how my problems started when I was 30, Neck pain is extremely painful and causes so many associated problems to your health . I sincerely hope that you find relief ❤️

[donch50]

I have PMR had it 6 years now on and off presilone steroids finally been referred to rhumatogy in Sept! that's an urgent appointment. I always had problems my right side shoulder pain gets too much. I been prescribed the steroids tramadol and pregablin. Dr wants to increase them I don't want too. I do take paracetamol too. When I first started taking them they did do something but now not so much. I take heart meds too. So surprised Dr has not out you on something stronger. Some Dr do 3 different painkillers. good luck sometimes you have to be a bit forceful with Drs .

[Kneesandtoes]

Have you tried cutting out processed foods and reducing sugar intake? It should reduce inflammation without dangerous side effects. I am also a fan of vitamin D and Omega 3. It is a slow process, but if I think back I realise that I experience much less stiffness now.