Been suffering from chronic pain in hips lower back spine shoulders head, my Dad had Polymialgia I have identical symptoms, Doctor gave me CoCodomol and sent me out the door saying muscular
, The painkillers hurt my stomach . I am afraid to go back to my Doctor as he might not like me telling him what I think I have, it even hurts brushing my hair so I avoid it , please help
love Mappy
Same thing happened to me with useless doctor / please seek another opinion and insist on blood tests ASAP! I am sure you will get more informed advice on this forum but don’t be intimidated!
Oh, Mappy, I'm so sorry that you are in pain! Our Aunties (or Uncles) aka experts will be along shortly. They will have some questions for you. Some will be:
Did you get any relief from the CoCodomol?
You said you have pain in the head. Is it a gripping headache pain that you can't get rid of? Do you get any relief from the headache from pain meds? Any pain in the temples?
Does your jaw hurt when you chew?
Any tongue pain?
Any visual changes? Floaters? Dark curtain coming down on your sight?
Unexpected weight loss lately?
Feel like you have a low grade fever?
I have PMR/GCA. The symptoms that I had when diagnosed was the monster headache, shoulder and girdle pain, a bulging artery by my temple, temple pain, hurt to chew, hurt to brush hair, and general feeling of unwell. Blood taken and both my sed rate and C-Reactive protein levels were high.
I don't want to frighten you. The Aunties will be able to help you much better than I. However, if you can answer yes to a lot of these and something weird starts happening with your vision, immediately go to the emergency room. And when there tell them possible Giant Cell Arteritis.
(And same thing happened to me, Shella, with misdiagnosed -- Internal Med doc gave me pain pills for back and additional high blood pressure meds.) On her defense, I was her first patient with this.)
Mappy, “it even hurts brushing my hair” is a statement that we often hear mentioned by those diagnosed with Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), a linked condition to PMR. If you mentioned that symptom to your GP, I’m surprised he simply diagnosed “muscular”. Can you see another Dr in the Practice? And certainly mention that your Dad had PMR. If, on the other hand that Dr is your only choice, then take someone with you for support. Try to be stronger - it’s your body, you know how you feel and he is being paid to look after you. If you suddenly experience any problems with your vision, go to A&E immediately as it could mean that your vision is at risk. If it is PMR, CoCodomol is unlikely to help whereas even a short trial dose of steroids could give you immediate relief and, in the case of GCA, protect your sight. Good luck and I do hope you will soon get the treatment you need to make you feel better,
You have gotten good advice. I’ve nothing to add except to say that there is no reason for you to be suffering so. If the pain meds don’t work, your Dr needs to know. He needs to think outside his own box, or listen carefully enough to understand enough to connect you with a doctor who can help.
"it even hurts brushing my hair" is a typical complaint by patients with PMR because they can't lift their arms. However - do you also mean your scalp hurts because as Celtic says, THAT is typical of GCA and PMR can be a symptom of GCA too.
If you are in the UK then officially your GP can't be practising single-handed so you must have a choice, see someone else.
On the other hand - if the co-codamol makes you feel ill and isn't working, of course you need to go back and tell the doctor so. In 80% of patients with PMR/GCA the blood tests of ESR and CRP may be raised (but not necessarily) but they need to be done. So does a vitamin D level as low levels can cause PMR-type pain.
There is no need to worry about suggesting a self diagnosis to a doctor. After months of waiting for irrelevant tests and results I researched on the net. Hadn't heard of PMR previously, where you have, so you are a step ahead of me. Use that to your advantage and suggest blood tests as advised by others. Also good advice given to take a friend (witness). If for no other reason than the friends presence may help you to be stronger and can sometimes ask questions you haven't thought of. Good Luck.
Hi Mappy
Excellent advice here and try not to be in intimidated by ANY medicos - however 'sophisticated' and educated - they are ultimately like all other 'tradespeople' in the end - and MEANT to be good at their 'trade' - which is very important one as our lives can sometimes depend on their expertise. BUT they aren't 'gods' (you probably know the old joke) :
'What is the difference between God and a doctor ?
-answer: 'God doesn't think [s]he's a doctor' !!
They are after all being PAID to do a 'good' job and you should expect them to do that - so too bad if they don't 'like' what you are saying - they really should be listening carefully - and if you have a doctor who doesn't - you really should find another who does !
I am bombastic by nature so sorry if I sound a bit 'strident' here but I just can't stand it when 'we' are shortchanged in our healthcare - this can sometimes - as you know - be dangerous.
Good luck with everything - and regarding parents my mother also had GCA - and according to research PMR/GCA do 'aggregate' in familial groups.
Best wishes
Rimmy
Great advice from everyone Mappy. I was almost sent away with “it’s menopause” until I said my upper arm muscles feel like they’re being ripped off my bones then PMR was offered up. Put your foot down and be brave. Good luck.
I got that nonsense too!!!
Re: Severe pain in hip after PMR flare
Pain in jaw and neck 
I’m new and worried about my PMR 
In pain and fed up
Worried and confused 
