I am newly diagnosed (last night) after going for an appointment for osteoarthritis. I had a steroid injection in my bottom which seems to have improved the pain a bit. I have pain in my hips, legs , arms shoulders and back.
I have had some blood tests and a pelvic X-ray. I am going for more blood tests tomorrow both NHS and private.
Hello and welcome, what is their plan for you or is the diagnosis still tentative pending blood results?
Welcome to the place no-one ever wanted to come to, but you are in the right place.
Can you please expand your profile if unsure just click on my avatar or on SnazzyD's and you will see what I mean.
We need your country as we have people outside the UK and a bit of history it is so helpful when answering any questions.
When you have time, you will see a section on the right hand side of this page - pinned posts - and at the top are FAQ's. This is good reading for anyone coming to the site.
In the meantime, ask away, someone will always be here to help.
It would have been good if they could have given you steroids by mouth for a test.
It was 7.30pm at night and that would have been the quickest route
Okay fair enough, so have you got a prescription for Pred?
No not yet
Hi and welcome,
Have to warn you the steroid injection relief may not last very long…..I had them prior to my GCA diagnosis (not necessarily on purpose, GP though it was frozen shoulder) - effect only lasted a few weeks.
Hopefully following blood tests they will get you on to oral steroids, please let us know how you get on, and as stated please ask about anything …..
I was given the option but it was 7.30pm and I thought that it would be the quickest effect from pain relief. The pharmacies would be shut.
Hi and welcome - hope they do something a bit more permanent than a jab!!
I am being sent for lots of blood tests. Iam anaemic. They also want to rule out cancer and looking at inflammation markers too. I’ve had a pelvic x ray which also showed early onset osteoarthritis A
It is usually anaemia of chronic illness - it is very common. But it is good they are being thorough.
The consultant thought the anaemia was part of the PMR. I’ve been feeling unwell for a few weeks but tried to get on with things. Standing up from sitting or in the car has been very difficult.
You need to get on to pred so you can see if it helps, as it is probably the best diagnosis for PMR at the end of the day. Blood tests etc can be useful to see if it is something else. I seem to be anaemic as I have doctors saying “did you know you are anaemic?”
Tell us about it!!! It WILL improve ...
Welcome to the club Elizabethjane. You're going through the exact same thing I went through earlier this year (with the exception of bottom jab). All the same symptoms, and x-rays as well. Basically, the Dr.'s are ruling out other illnesses first. I found vitamin B100 complex helped with the Anemia prior to starting Pred.
I expect you also had to lift your legs in and out the car! It can be easier to stand up from a rocking chair or one of those mechanised ones.
Just a quick welcome from me, Elizsbethjane 😊
I was diagnosed in March this year but didn’t find this site until a few weeks ago. It’s been incredibly helpful and there are some lovely people here - I hope you find it as supportive as I have, and that you get the medical treatment you need as quickly as is practical 😊
All the best, Nextoneplease x
Thank you that is very kind x
Welcome Elizabethjane, this is a lovely forum, so supportive & helpful. Lots of information here when you’re ready and do ask questions if you need to.
Good morning Elizabethjane, I have a cousin with those names, anyway, nothing to add to the previous comments but welcome to the forum, ask whatever you want, their are no silly questions and as we have users across the time zones there is usually someone around whenever you post.
I had the injection in my bottom too, it was like a miracle after 48 hours. The relief lasted just short of 6 weeks. It’s all very bewildering and overwhelming at the start but everyone on here will be helping you.
Hi there - welcome. I’m a few months ahead of you. You are in the right place as everyone is very well informed and very supportive.
Welcome to the site where you realise you are not on your own and there are others out there who you can identify with . It is a great comfort .
If she gets prescribed iron tablets she should be asking why - they aren't the way to deal with the anaemia of chronic disease 
Hello and a very warm welcome. PMR is a bewildering journey, but the people on this site will comfort, guide and give helpful information.
Thank you
I hope your GP will come up with a definitive diagnosis and some long-term pain relief soon. You are in the right place here - there are so many supportive and knowledgeable people on this forum. I trust them at least as much as my GP!
just come on and welcome Elizabethjane7861. No-one wanted this but here we are. I hope you have a GP who'll listen to you and respond accordingly. Don't ever settle for a dismissive dictum from any professional if you know how you are feeling and need an answer. You need reassurance of what the cause is and then a treatment to relieve it and I hope you have them soon.
When I was diagnosed with the anemia at the start of my PMR journey, I was told to get a endoscopy’s upper and lower. This was to rule out a G.I. bleed. The gastroenterologist told me that this anemia goes away with prednisone.
PMR can be so painful and even worse, makes you feel ill, old and tired out. The steroids thankfully get rid of the pain.
I was around 60yrs old when I was diagnosed and started taking steroids. This site helped me so much- to understand the illness and to answer Q’s / support me when I needed it. It took me 2.5 years to generally recover / be able to manage off the steroids.
The next 3 years I’d say I was up and down with energy levels & how well I felt- no pain though.
The last 18 months I’ve felt great- I’ve managed to lose 1.5 stones and am able to do 4 exercise classes a week- dance, circuits, pilates and yoga - as well as lots of dog walking and gardening.
I’ll never forget the terrible shoulder/arm pains- like electric shocks- and am still conscious of not getting stressed or overdoing anything.
I’m posting to give hope, and to show that you can get pain free and well again. I’m now 67 yrs old
Do please post this as a new thread so more people see it 
Congratulations on making such a good recovery - that holds out hope which is very welcome.
Just another welcome for Elizabethjane - the members on this site are so incredibly helpful - you will receive support whenever you need it.
I was diagnosed in May of this year and I've learned so much from them. I was started on 15mg pred and now I am down to 7.5 mg - the GP wants me to reduce to 7mg in another two weeks so not too bad. In the meantime my good knee has developed bad bursitis so I have been off my feet for two weeks and now raring to start exercising to build the muscles up ready to support both knees. Although I am not overweight I suspect it will help if I lose some as well. Any recommendations on that score welcome suzieh!
A couple of weeks ago I met two people who have had PMR - the first I have come across face to face. Both have made a full recovery and have been in remission for around six years, so there is hope.
To lose weight on pred - go low carb! Loads of success stories across the forum. I lost 35lbs of PMR and pred-associated weight some years ago, Since the beginning of Lent to now I have lost almost 6kg despite not being able to exercise as much as I'd like and that is on 15mg+ of pred due to a big flare.
There are some people too who never gained weight in the first place by cutting their carb intake loads Some of us need to cut more than others. The most important aspect is cutting processed carbs and added sugar - that cuts simple carbs and sugar and also salt - which can lead to fluid retention when on pred.
This site is a great introduction:
You don't need to join anything, no expensive new cookery books - learn the principles and adjust your cooking style and it also fits with the rest of the family - they can still have their carbs,
Welcome to this fabulous site Elizabethjane.....for advice and reassurance you are in the best place. Good luck.
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