I have been diagnosed 3 years now with PMR and popped slightly positive for RA as the CCP test showed. I have always considered myself almost negative related to RA based on how I looked and how I felt. Most of my clinical symptoms I have thought for three years now we’re related to PMR. Until yesterday. I have had much pain in my joints of my fingers now for five days. And when I looked at my left ring finger yesterday it is definitely changing it is crooked and my knuckles are very tender. This may seem like a silly question but for those of you that are much more experience than I -should I be on a biologic now for rheumatoid to prevent Further disfigurement and pain ...I am on 4 mg of prednisone and plaquenil twice a day. It has been three years I have held onto that. I would appreciate any input— thank you to the best group ever.
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Leilagirl
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You are already on a drug used for RA - plaquenil. It is unusual in most of the world to go straight onto a biologic - not sure what happens in the US - because that is shooting your big guns which you may need to keep in reserve. However, if you are starting todevelop joint pain rather than PMR pain you need to mention it to the rheumy. Usually I think they look for more than just one joint to be affected but it depends what they find.
Have you got an inflammatory arthritis as well as PMR? PMR doesn't lead to joint deformation. But fingers can go a bit crooked for other reasons, I have a Heberden's node on my index finger that is making it a bit bent and it does seem to be getting more so but that is the only one.
I don't know what I have...have a requested an apt with a rheumatologist. Hell may freeze over before I get in the queue (my GP fairly useless atm). I looked it up and my finger could have a Heberden's node on it so it is crooked. My hands feel stiff sometimes but not too bad. I suspect arthritis has arrived in my feet as they feel very painful after standing awhile and after walking alot.
Thank God for google. Aging really is the thing. You never know what you are going to get but you will 'get' something and you won't like it. Thanks for your font of knowledge. Wish I was in the Sudtirol right now sitting on a chair in the sun.
I too have developed swollen joints in some of my fingers over the past few years, lately they have become slightly more painful and very stiff and bent And I can no longer wear rings.
So far it’s just three fingers that are affected. But I can feel it might be spreading.
My history is I was diagnosed in 2015 with PMR started at 20 mg now down to 2 1/2 mg .
When I saw mr Dr about it she said I had osteoarthritis, as apposed to rheumatoid arthritis.
She said it was not related to PMR, although I’m not convinced.
in my case she gave me a gel to help with inflammation and paracetamol for the pain. they say that they can operate, to relieve the pain but not the stiffness.
I’m not sure what the outcome would be if it was RA.
I do a series of exercises that we do in yoga.
As follows:
Make a Clenched fist and then release it quickly, flicking the fingers out , do this 12 times each session, this helps with blood flow to the fingers,
I think just discussing it with others makes us feel better, I’m sorry I don’t have any answers but hopefully you will get some soon.
Thank you so much for this helpful information. I am watching this happen in front of me but with all the movement related to gentle exercise eating the best I can though not perfect, and just like you said chatting about it I think I’ll be all right ...Best wishes to everyone out there dealing with similar issues.
I have had arthritic thumbs for years but recently have had very painful hands. My thumb's seem to be turning towards my palms and both index fingers are curling under, hands are swollen and can't make a fist. I restarted playing the piano for excercise but was too painful.
I have RA with (one doctor said) overlapping PMR. I take maximum dose MTX which is supposed to slow the damage to your joints. I also take Sulfasalazine at max dosage, plus doing a Prednisone reduction.
All that to say the Dmards only slow the damage down - I am getting 2 fingers that are changing direction as we speak, slowly I guess. I'm 2 years diagnosed. The pain is caused by inflamation which prednisone addresses really well but at a disadvantage to your bone strength. That's why Dr's want you to get off it.
If you have finger joint pain on both hands, RA may get diagnosed. Feet are usually involved too. Biologics I have no experience with since I live in a remote area and weekly delivery is impossible. There is no cure for RA.
The most surprised person was me when I realized nothing stops the deformity, just slows it down. Hope this was helpful. I call it a life sentence of a disease.
I have been on Predisalone which is very similar to Prendison. I started taking Bioglen Turmic Shot Luqid which has been amazing.
Like you though my hands are giving me grief-cannot wear my rings. My specialist gave me a script for Planquil but I tore it up even my GP was not impressed. I don't think my hands a severe as yours but I excerise and stretch them everyday and bought some gloves which are supposed yo help. They do I wear them mainly at night. Seek out anything natural if you can to help you.
It is a supplement and H&B appear to sell it in the UK, at a price! However - as with all supplements do check with your doctor or a pharmacist that it doesn't clash with your medications. If it is strong enough to have an effect - it is also strong enough to not mix with certain meds.
Hi, I have PMR/GCA, Ankylosing Spondilitis, and Osteoarthritis. I
was on prednisone for 14 months and have been on Actemra (also works for RA) for about 13 months. Prednisone has been very bad for me. I have multiple issues that doctors have stated were due to the drug.
I live in the US and was put on a Biologic (Humira) due to my AS for nine years and it did wonders for my disease. I was on NSAIDS for ten years and they did not help. I tried them all. They ended up giving me an ulcer. There was a slight downside as I have some slight tremors and balance issues, but It gave me a quality of life. Actemra is working on my GCA but I had to lower my dose because my white blood count got very low. It has now rebounded. Hope this helps. Feel better.
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Fingers crossed further update
I'm new here
Down to 1 mg and flare up
Acute foot pain.
What happens if Prednisone isn't taken for PMR?
