Do I have PMR?

[Seagu11]

Diagnosed GCA.Started Predisolone January 2018 60 mg down to 5 mg however plagued by joint pain . Is this PMR or withdrawal pains?

Ortho recommends hip replacement, but I never suffered any problems with my

Joints before taking Preds?

Seagu11

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi

Very fast reduction so could well be PMR or GCA pains which obviously would have been masked on higher doses.

You mention joint pain - do you mean all joints or just hips ?

Have your inflammation markers been tested? Has you hip been X-rayed?

As I found out recently arthritic hips can deteriorate very quickly, so don’t rule out completely - but a bit more information might be helpful.

[Seagu11 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you Dorset Lady.Have just had MRI scan so all will be revealed?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If you are in the USA and an ortho recommends a hip replacement then you should seek a second opinion or imaging to be sure - and do it if it really is ready. You may not have had problems before pred - doesn't mean they weren't storing up and some doctors are of the opinion that pred can cause deterioration of joint linings. Or they can go quickly anyway as DL found out.

But yes - you have been lucky to be able to reduce so quickly but if PMR is part of your GCA it could well be surfacing now you are at a low dose.

[piglette]

I had the same problem with my hip. The orthopaedic surgeon said that there is the possibility of pred eating away at the cartilage. I assume you have had an X-ray.