Polymyalgia Rheumatica

[Lopera]

I'm in a bit of a quandary about PMR. My physiotherapist was treating me for hip pain and said he thought I had PMR as I wasn't responding to treatment. My blood results were marginal and my doctor put me on prednisolone. I took the first dose in the morning and by evening the pain had gone. However the Dr contacted the rheumatology department and was told, going from my blood tests, I didn't have PMR and I should come off the prednisolone. I began reducing and the pain came back so I returned to the original dose and am now reducing more slowly.

Typically I was experiencing hip pain after sitting a while and would have to hobble until my hips settled down. Also going upstairs would be painful. I did not experience pain first thing in the morning after waking which I have read is typical.

I would rather not be on prednisolone as I have also recently discovered I have osteoporosis after suffering 6 spinal compression fractures.

Any similar experience/advice is appreciated. Also I don't know how to post this on a thread other than the Bone Health and Osteoporosis one.

[Fruitandnutcase]

Ouch, your spinal fractures sound really painful. It might be worth posting on the NRAS site or looking for one that deals with PMR.

I was prescribed prednisone when I was first diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis. It was very strictly controlled and I basically started cutting down after the first dose until I was able to stop easily and painlessly - I started hydroxychloroquine once it was clear the pred made a difference.

I don’t want to touch steroids again no matter what a difference it makes (I was like superwoman!) as I ended up with steroid induced T2 diabetes and I know it isn’t good for your bones. I’m the opposite to you - I can barely move in the mornings until I have been up for a couple of hours - by bedtime I’m fine.

[agingfeminist]

if you respond well to prednisone you probably have pmr. blood tests are not a reliable diagnostic. a good rheumatologist will rule out other things but will not rely on a blood test to diagnose pmr. But if the pain is bilateral and responds to pred then it probably is pmr ...and pred is the only treatment...and it is important that you treat the inflammation.

The osteoporosis needs dealing with as a separate issue. You will need treatment for that whether you are on pred or not. You are coping with a lot...too much...but try to get each problem dealt with separately.

and perhaps find a better rheumatologist!