Polymyalgia

[Pamg]

Hi Everyone,

4 weeks ago I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia on top of my Fibromyalgia. The doctor has put me on steroids which has helped but when they tried to reduce the steroids I became very ill again and the doctor had to put back up to the high dose again and they will try again on Thursday to start reducing my dose again.

I already have type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol so I am having to test my blood sugars twice a day to make sure they don't go to high!

I was just wondering if anyone else with Polymyalgia and fibromyalgia can give me any tips on managing both as I am finding very hard at the moment.

Pam xx

[Rose54]

Hi

i have PMR but not Fibro

In my experience and backed up by my GP their understanding of PMR is as basic as Fibro

Medical evidence shoes you take steroids reduce and are cured but that's not true.

Normal starting dose is 15 may need to stay on this for 3 months before reducing the more you yo yo the more difficult it becomes.

Suggest you join PMR site of Healthcare Unlocked and get guidance on recommended reduction plans by experts .

Steroids will help with PMR pain but not Fibro has your GP informed you not to take Steroids and other antiflamitary meds together.

Blood Pressure ,Sugar Levels will increase on Steroids but lower as Steroids are lowered

Rose

[Hidden]

Hello Pam- I was given steroids for my fibro for a few years to get it under control BUT I had an injection of steroid called Kenolog into my bottom and this lasted around 3 months, maybe ask about this method instead of oral?

[TheAuthor]

Hi Pamg

I am also a diabetic on a daily maintenance dose of steroids. I take 10mg daily of Prednisolone for asthma and COPD. If my symptoms get worse I have my steroids increased to 40mg daily and then after a week have them reduced by 10mg every 3 days.

As a result, I need to take diabetic medication for this. If your blood sugars are persistently high there are also drugs for type 2 diabetes that you could talk to your doctor about.

The main drug used is called Metformin and there is also a slow release drug called Sukkarto that is probably more useful if you are still on steroids? It may be useful to know this so you can discuss it with your doctor or diabetic specialist.

I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck and please take care of yourself my friend.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[shooter1970]

I have both PMR and Fibro.

I was on high dose steroids (30mg daily) for around 12mths and then slowly reduced it to 0 over the next year. Each time they tried reducing the dose in that 1st year sent me spiralling backwards pain wise which is why it took quite so long to get of the steroids.

Finally saw a rheumatologist who put me on Hydroxychliroquine and Methotrexate for both PMR and ser-negative inflammatory arthritis. I have a close family friend who also has OMG and is now on a maintainable dose of methotrexate and has been for many years.

Both if these conditions fall under the heading of Auto-immune disease where as Finomyalgia does not.

Take care of yourself and try not to over exert yourself as that makes things so much worse.

Colleen

x💖💖

[Pamg in reply to shooter1970]

Thank you. I am taking 40mg daily the doctor tried to reduce it down and everything went to pot! So they put it back up again.

I am seeing the doctor tomorrow about reducing it by 2.5mg to see how that goes but the steroids are making my blood sugar up so I am also trying to keep that under control.

I just get so tired!

But it's nice to know I am not on my own.

Pam xx

[Hidden]

Hi so what are the differences/different ways/types/symptoms/head falling off between them?

They keep reffing Polymyalgia when i go to hospital etc.