Introducing my brief journey in life and experien... - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

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Introducing my brief journey in life and experience with PMR

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2 years ago•3 Replies

Hi Everyone,

I am a new member and it’s a great to be part of the community .I am 61years old and from the Far East.This is my brief journey in life and experience with PMR :I studied and worked in London from 1981 till 1998 in the NHS.Then worked in Ireland in the Health Service Executive and retired in 2015.I guess like many other members, I never came across the medical term of PMR. I am active and fit person. I remember very clearly ,on the morning of the 6th of August2021, I had severe pains in my biceps, wrist, thumbs, pelvic girdle and hip muscles, had great difficulties in the activities of everyday living.I wasn’t aware of PMR but tried to manage on painkillers as my threshold of pain is quite high.This was 2 weeks after receiving the 1st dose of Pfizer vaccine, in July 2021. I still had pains in my biceps, wrists, thumbs, pelvic girdle, hip muscles ,prior to receiving the 2nd dose of Pfizer vaccine in August 2021.

There after, the severity became to painful to bear ( unable to carry out the activities of everyday living ) painkillers were ineffective and had to seek professional advice (GP) on the 1st September 2021.I remember the GP asking me, the point of my pain on a scale 0-10, 10 extremely painful, I said I wish I was dead.

His working diagnosis was PMR and my blood results ( ESR and CRP )were high.

I was prescribed prednisone 20mg,(02/09/21) took it for 11days and began to adjust the dose myself reducing to 2.5mg within a six week period. I researched into PMR and prednisone, I could not acknowledge my diagnosis and the side effects of prednisone, therefore trying to come off the medication, prednisone.

I saw Consultant Rheumatologists in October 2021 and confirmed diagnosis of PMR, furthermore my blood results (ESR and CRP) had went up again.As I don’t fit the demographics of PMR and I only began to display the symptoms after the vaccine, the Consultant did acknowledge that there is a possibility that the vaccine could have interfered with my immune system. Although I was on 2.5mg of prednisone at that time, I didn’t have severe symptoms of pains but was advised strongly to recommence on 12.5mg for 2weeks, then 10 mg for 1 month and thereafter reducing by 1 mg every month.

I am slowly coming to terms with my diagnosis and have been following the treatment program.

I am now on 8mg of prednisone and feel great.So I treated myself to a weekend away in Liverpool recently to watch my favourite soccer team Liverpool play. My blood results recently (ESR and CRP) were within normal range and hopefully I can continue to reduce my dosage without any major set backs.

I take this opportunity wish members well, keep safe . have a peaceful Christmas and a very Happy New Year.