Can anyone help me with a question about PMR?

[englandgirl]

Hi there, i was just diagnosed with PMR after 6 months of of pain and fatigue. I have been on meloxicam 7.5g/anti inflammatory pill since Jan. 16th because i showed inflammation as my CRP levels were at 10 on my first blood work and then was 11.2 on my second blood work results.This was before i had taken any medication. The pill has helped relieve almost all the pain in my thighs. Still have shoulder, upper neck, arms and buttock pain, but the pills have helped to a level of pain i can live with to get through the day. I was just told the other day that i have PMR and i will need to go on prednisone. I told the doctor i will need to think about it, as when you hear the word 'PREDNISONE" you think nothing good can come from taking a drug like that. After reading many posts on this site and doing other research, i have come to terms, that i will have no other choice but to go on the prednison. So my question is, with my blood marker being at the highest of 11.2 before any meds and now being at 6.1 with only being on the inflammatory pills less then a month, is it possible to remain on the inflammatory pills and and not have to take Prednisone?

Thank you for all your knowledge and input

[PMRpro Ambassador]

In the long term the pred has far fewer unpleasant side effects than meloxicam - I wouldn't take it to be honest and I have taken pred for well over 8 years with no side effects at all. Almost all so-called pred side effects can be managed when you know how, no-one gets them all and some people get none.

Both these articles are about the same piece of research (which suggests that actually the side effects that pred is blamed for would probably happen anyway) but have slightly different slants:

medpagetoday.com/rheumatolo...

practicalpainmanagement.com...

The meloxicam is not managing the real inflammation - you say yourself you still have symptoms. Untreated PMR is more likely to progress to GCA - and then you WOULD have to take pred to reduce the risk of visual loss. If it came to that - there is no way back.

[englandgirl in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for the articles PMRpro!!!! You can never have too much information. Thank you

[Hidden]

Hi,

On what basis did your GP make the diagnosis? Did they rule out other causes?

It would be unusual for Meloxicam to help if it is PMR.

[englandgirl in reply to Hidden]

Hi Keyes, i was diagnosed with PMR by my Ruemy, not my GP. My CPR, and my levels of sedimentation Rate were higher then normal and they went even higher before i was given the Meloxicam. Also, my mobility and pain were symptoms of PMR and i have frozen shoulder. I have had many different blood works done since i started having the muslcle pain, They have checked me for Lyme Desease, fungal infection, other types of infection as well as anti bacterial infections etc.

[englandgirl in reply to englandgirl]

I just wanted to say that i haven't had one side effect from the Meloxicam. Also, the Meloxicam was never given to me specifically for PMR. My rheumy gave it to me to see if it could help with the inflammation and pain until they could do more test and try to figure out what was wrong with me.

[daworm in reply to englandgirl]

I was on Mobic(meloxocam) also for OA pain in various joints, I find that it does take the edge off on some of the worst days of PMR, as do an occasional Norco...I wouldn't take Mobic daily while on prednisone though because of possible stomach problems..besides the prednisone works better..not every pain I have comes from the PMR, I had pain before PMR and I figure that's what it helps...I don't need double pain causes...and one more thing..TAKE THE PRED!!

[Grants148]

It is very important that PMR is treated quickly to avoid GCA,which is a lot worse.