Could I have PMR

[Gran6]

Hi I saw my consultant back in June I told him my knees and hips where aching and he sent me for an X-ray,down to 1 mg steroids until I see him in October but my shoulder buttocks and thighs are aching in the morning and I am having very bad sweats ,I was diagnosed with GCA in 2016 and I am wondering if I now have PMR should I try and get an earlier appointment with the consultant and can you get this after GCA. I am thinking of going up to 5mgs of steroids to see if that helps any advice would be much appreciated.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

PMR and GCA are the same condition but at different points on a fairly broad spectrum. PMR can be a symptoms of GCA but generally requires a lower dose to manage the inflammation so it may happen that you don't experience any symptoms until you get to a low dose.

Low back and buttock pain is typical of piriformis syndrome and/or myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) so that might be worth investigating and seeking some physio/massage to try and relieve it but having shoulder pain makes MPS or PMR more likely.

If it were me I would try 5mg pred to see if that makes a difference, even 10mg for a few days, and then go to the GP because if you are in the UK the chances of seeing that October appointment are not encouraging if others are anything to go by and leaving it will only mean it gets worse. What was the last dose at which you had no pain?

[Gran6 in reply to PMRpro]

I think it was at 5mgs ,I have always been a keen walker having three springer spaniel and very active I have taken 5mgs today but will get in touch with gp in the morning and hopefully he will contact my consultant. Thanks for your help once again