Spondyloarthritis With Pmr ???

[Mjhollywood1]

Hi I am bring Treated for Pmr for about 2 years started at age 54 about two months ago I could not lay in bed my bAck was in pain and stiff My rummy told me muscle spasms . I found a new rummy and was told I may have spondyoarthrisit waiting on blood test. I am only in back pain when lying down. No other time. I work 9 hr a day in heels. Running around never had a back issue in my life. !!!! And anyone with Pmr and Thx

[oldtimer]

Don't wear the heels! They alter the way in which the back is used and increase the likelihood of back pain.

And seriously find out what is causing it.

[Runrig01]

I was diagnosed with atypical pmr at age 47. Was treated with steroids, 3 months after starting treatment I developed GCA symptoms, which my Rheumy disputed as I couldn’t be that unfortunate. Ended up travelling 500 mile round trip for 18 months seeing a lovely pmr/GCA specialist. I also seen prof dasgupta who writes the guidelines on GCA. Both felt I had GCA despite negative biopsy, as it was taken 10 months after being on steroids.

Fast forward to Sept 2016 happened to mention ribs were e crucifying at night but eased when I got out of bed, she immediately suspected spondylarthropathy and arranged xrays, mri and review by a colleague who specialised in spondylarthropathy. My xrays showed fusion of the SI joints, fusion of ribs and fusion of C6-7. I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, and informed that in mature women it can mimic Polymyalgia. The GCA symptoms turned out to be inflammation of the jaw joint pressing on nerves and blood vessels, mimicking similar symptoms. I am now on biologic injections, and whilst I still have pain it’s not as severe as it was, and I am nowhere near so stiff. Unfortunately I still had to retire from nursing last year age 52, as it was impossible to do my job due to the pain I endured. However having retired I’m now in much less pain again. I am still on steroids, now 6.5yr and have life threatening adrenal insufficiency, and have to carry an emergency injection. The specialist who diagnosed me said when I had my mri in 2012, had they mri my pelvis as well I would never have been put on steroids, and therefore wouldn’t have adrenal insufficiency.

[Mjhollywood1 in reply to Runrig01]

Thx for your post. Going for more blood test wed. Due to pain only when I lay on my back I knew something else or wrong diagnoses I think I hAve maybe both?? My back pain and stiffness just started 3 months ago. Let you know. Thx.

[Runrig01 in reply to Mjhollywood1]

I worked as a nurse for 34yr, and suffered severe back pain fairly regularly, but put it down to hazard of the job. Previous MRIs showed 3 slipped discs, but it needed a special stir sequence mri to show the inflammation that led to diagnosis. Fingers crossed if you do have it, you should feel better with treatment. It’s easy to differentiate from mechanical pain as it worsens with rest and improves with activity whilst mechanical pain is the opposite

[Mmrr]

Heels will not do you any good and will do you a lot of harm over the years. Best ditched and comfortable footwear bought.

And a diagnosis is required to allow best treatment options for you.