Feeling defeated

[Here1am]

So my rheumy thinks it’s «unlikely I have PMR. I have some osteoarthritis which is part of the pain. All my markers are low normal and my pain should be managed at my prednisone level if it was PMR (currently) 12.50. He recommends getting off prednisone, trying cymbalta ( which I won’t because I was prescribed it once before and it did nothing and I had horrible withdrawal) or celebrex. He can’t account for the total continuing pain and has suggested a pain management consult. I’m deflated. I feel like a whiner.

[piglette]

When you started taking steroids did you have an amazing improvement in symptoms? Is your rheumy saying the problem is just osteoarthritis? If so PMR symptoms and osteo symptoms are pretty different, they are in my case anyway.

[Here1am in reply to piglette]

Yes they did improve. But I did start at 60 because I had a lot of symptoms of GSA. Negative biopsy. Every test has been normal. I’ve been decreasing since April. Aches and pains started creeping in below 20 or so.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Here1am]

Your doctor says a negative biopsy means it isn't GCA? Wrong - it only means they didn't find what they were looking for. Not the same thing at all.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Snap - normal markers, they always were, and I need 15mg at present because of the stress effect on the PMR. I have to be able to function as a sole carer. My lovely rheumy says I'm exceptional (well, we all knew that ), loads of people need pred a long time, just rarely as high a dose. But I am by no means unusual on this forum, a few of us still above 10mg after years ...

Does celebrex help the pain? That might suggest that it isn't PMR ... There are other things but he needs to look more closely.

[Here1am in reply to PMRpro]

He’s done a lot of tests and scans to his credit. I just think he’s run out of tests to perform and borderline osteoarthritis is the only thing that has reared it’s head. My husband is supporting getting a second opinion. The question is who. Just feeling defeated.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Here1am]

Where are you?

[Here1am in reply to PMRpro]

In the US.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Here1am]

Can't really help then - you could post and say where you are/where you could go to and see if anyone can recommend.

[nuigini]

Agree with PMRpro. I'm one of those still on 10+ mg after 7 years. Ideally a second opinion may give you better results.

[Here1am in reply to nuigini]

Yes I agree. I just want a treatment that manages the pain better but if the cause could be identified that would be fantastic. At the moment I am just weary of the constant aches. When I first got on prednisone and I woke up pain free it was shocking.