I wrote earlier to-day re unsure of diagnosis of pmr. my problems started in 2004 and I have been diagnosed within the last few months.

[dillydally1]

have other pmr sufferes had a late diagnosis. maybe my problems from 2004 have changed, and maybe pmr has crept up quietly. sorry to moan, but feeling quite frightened and confused at the moment x

[polkadotcom]

It took me 2 years to get a diagnosis and I had had symptoms for some considerable time before that. It is possible to get PMR twice so perhaps that's what has happened.

I do think you need to tell your GP how you are feeling. Both PMR and steroids list depression as a side effect, so I really think you need to get some advice.

[dillydally1 in reply to polkadotcom]

thankyou

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I had PMR for 5 years before getting a diagnosis, it wasn't too bad, I could live with it by adjusting how I did things but then it got very bad and I couldn't move. It still took 6 months to be offered pred! It worked a miracle in 6 hours - not pain-free for months but able to function almost normally again.

Polkadotcom is right though - you need to come clean with your GP and get things sorted out properly. If you find it difficult talking to them how about taking someone with you? If a GP is dismissive of a female patient it often helps to take your partner with you if you have one - it shouldn't make a difference but it often does. Alternatively, take a list with you and don't be put off asking and saying what you need to say. One lady wrote a letter to her GP about how much her life was being affected by her symptoms when she felt she wasn't getting through to him how poorly she felt. When you are asked "How are you today" DON'T say "Fine" or anything like that - don't hid it all under fine clothes, make-up and putting a brave face on things. Doctors only know what they can see and what you tell them. If it isn't the whole truth - they aren't mind-readers!

[dillydally1 in reply to PMRpro]

thanks, I have a very good doctor who is female and she does listen and at the moment see's me every 3 weeks, I do tell her how I feel, I think I have to accept what I have got and learn to live with it. I am grateful of this site, I find it very helpful, I have also done a copy of the information I was given off this site and will give it to my gp

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to dillydally1]

Acceptance is not giving in to the situation - by accepting you can often put yourself into the command position even if that does sound strange.

[dillydally1]

it does sound strange, but makes sense x