Hi
Started with GCA 3 years ago and currently on 1.5 mg preds. About 3 months ago started with painful knee and saw gp about 2 months ago. She said it was probably arthritis not pmr. Had X-ray which showed inflammation and referred for physio for which I am still awaiting an appt. last few weeks both shoulders and tops of arms stiff in morning and the other knee isn’t great. I can’t haul myself out of the bath now. Could it be pmr or is it arthritis how do I know.
Oh dear, it does sound like PMR. Did your doctor run blood tests?
I agree with Heron it sounds so typical of PMR. The sooner you have the appropriate treatment the better ie Pred. What a blow!
Must be PMR,you will beat it ,just believe that and learn to manage it
Most definitely looks like PMR which unfortunately goes hand in hand with GCA with a small percentage of people.
Have you tried over the counter painkillers? If they stop the pains, then your GP may be correct in diagnosis of arthritis...
You will definitely have to do some blood tests to confirm your suspicions.
So sorry this has happened to you now, especially after all the years of fighting GCA. Stay strong and know that there is help available ..
Please keep us advised...
YuliK 🌹
Hi,
It could be either, or both!
Do you have enough Pred to try an experiment of a higher dose - 5mg or maybe 7.5mg for about a week. That would be sufficient to get a hold of the PMR (or flare of GCA) - but probably not too high to knock out the arthritis pain - if my experiences are anything to go on. My arthritis gives me stiff shoulders and upper arms in morning.
Might also be wise to get inflammation markers tested, presuming yours rose with GCA initially.
This is what happened to me ,GCA for three years got to 1mg late July this year had bad hips and knees had a steroid injection in my hip but still not good ,had bloods done and CRP and ESR were high GP agreed I have PMR and started on 20mgs steroids now down to 15mgs still have a slight aching in my shoulder but not bad ,my symptoms were aching buttocks,groin,shoulders hips and upper arms once I upped my steroid pain eased ,I am starting the dsns method on Monday and see how I go consultant wanted me to start methotrexate and folic acid and drop 5mgs a month ,I will not be taking methotrexate until I see how the dead slow works.Hope you get yours sorted it’s a blow when you think you are nearly there .
Five mg a month? Yikes. You are wise to resist that advice. You might be able to drop faster than 1 mg a month. You could cautiously try 1 mg at a time and see how you feel. I was able to drop by 1 mg per week from 15 to 10 but at 10 had to slow right down and use DSNS. If you were able to do that you'd decrease by 4 mg in the four weeks of the month and perhaps be fine, but it does give you the option to slow down and avoid a flare if symptoms start to develop.
Sounds horribly like PMR not being managed by such a low dose. PMR can be a symptom of GCA - it all depends on which blood vessels are affected. You are at such a low dose that adding a bit will not be a problem (just disappointing). What dose were you on then the knee started making its presence felt? You probably need just above that - and a few days of a bit more than that first to clear out the accumulated inflammation.
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