Saw rheumatologist

[Bling123]

Saw rheumatologist last night and was impressed, he wasn't 100% sure I had PMR but would do lots of test to get to the bottom of things for me as I'm finding it difficult to reduce my pred. I went private to see him as I couldn't get an appointment until end of Feb on NHS but he said he needed to see me for about 3 to 4 times so would put me down on NHS list now so that's good . Only hope I can be sorted as the steroids are playing havok with my mouth and teeth . Plus I can't take any of the bone tables as they done suit me so fingers crossed at last I will get sorted as the specialist says inflammation in the body can be from various things and not necessarily PMR .

[SnazzyD]

Hello there, how long have you been diagnosed for? It doesn’t seem like much more than 6 months which would explain why you can’t reduce. Have you had a DEXA scan to check your bone density? You may not need the bone meds anyway.

[Bling123 in reply to SnazzyD]

I was diagnosed June this year but Dr reckons if you are on more than 7mg of pred you need a bone tablet . I'm down for a DEXA scan x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bling123]

He isn't correct - I have been on pred at above 10mg for over 12 years. I have never taken a bisphosphonate (after the first 4 weeks) and my bone density hasn't changed significantly over that time. Maybe I am very lucky but there are others on the forum who never took bisphosphonates either and whose bone density didn't fall. I refused to take AA until I had the result of the DEXA - and have never needed to. There are other bisphosphonates that don't come in tablet form - given as an annual infusion which avoids the gastric issues.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Not being able to reduce the pred has a lot to do with how you go about it - and you did mention you might have GCA. If you do, you will need more pred than if you "only" have PMR.

I'm sure it will have been said in the earlier post - sensitive teeth is also often due to the PMR/GCA . Pred improved matters for me, though it did take several months.

[piglette]

I had terribly sensitive teeth on higher doses of pred. I used Sensodyne toothpaste. I had quite a lot of other side effects, but infinitely better than that excruciating pain when I could hardly move. I have never used bisphosphonates for bone density although I have continual fights with my GP. I hope your Dexascan looks good.

[Bling123 in reply to piglette]

Thank you x