Prednisone working!

[Lucybud3]

84 yr old female with PRM. Returned after 12 yrs. Currently on prednisone 20mg. Under care of primary md. First experience in 2005 lasted 1 yr. stopped prednisone and took no Meds after a few months.

[Jackoh]

Pleased that the pred working but how annoying it must be for you to have to go through this again. I know I have read that sometimes the second journey can be very different to the first but here is wishing you all the very best on this new journey. Let us know how you get on. X Jackie

[Lucybud3 in reply to Jackoh]

I live by my self and after aggressively cutting bushes, I thought the shoulder pain was just bursitis. But when the pain spread, I just knew it was not so. The lab values showed esr-4 and crp-negative The first time, the values were very high. Read the values could be normal and prm still be painful. How are you doing?

[Hollyseden]

As Jackoh said What a shame to go through this twice but glad Pred is working for you and hope your journey is straight forward.

[Lucybud3 in reply to Hollyseden]

Hi Holly. Love this forum.So many caring people helping other people. I am curious as to why this disease affects people in so many ways and how it is brought on? Stress, hereditary, etc.?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lucybud3]

It is thought that many things affect the immune system - environment, infections, stress for example. Eventually one thing tips the balance and the immune system goes haywire - and you develop an autoimmune disorder. Which label you are given depends on the symptoms - there is a lot of crossover in autoimmune disorders and I think that probably accounts for why it is different in different people.

[SheffieldJane]

Hello Lucybud and welcome!

You saw it off once and you will see it off again. Tell us more about how you are. You have been in the land of the normal for 12 years, I've forgotten what that's like!

[Lucybud3]

Hi! This time around, I have hip pain. I didn't have that pain 12 yrs ago. If the prednisone lessens the pain, I won't complain. I didn' t realize people have this condition for yrs . I am planning on a yr. I am already 84 so I still have some healthy living to do.

[Jackoh]

Hi Lucybud( lovely name!) yes I would agree that your blood levels both for ESR and CRP can be low. When I first was diagnosed with PMR my ESR was at the heady level of 16 ( now about 11) and my CRP ( sometimes seen as the more reliable indicator) has always( except on one occasion ) been in the range of -1 to 1 !!! I think looking back my GP thought because the levels of blood work was low this in someway corresponded with the severity of my PMR:- low blood results= mild PMR. This was in Nov 2014. In Dec 2015/Jan 2016 I began to have GCA symptoms but again with the same blood readings and a GP who didn't believe me because I have cranial GCA and not temporal Arteritis . Still on the journey!! Hope your journey will go smoothly. This forum is such a help. Best wishes Jackie x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jackoh]

Low blood results equals mild PMR? Oh, if only!!!!

[Lucybud3 in reply to Jackoh]

Thank you for the info.

[Lucybud3 in reply to Jackoh]

Thanks Jackie.

[Jackoh]

I know!!!