PMR Flare?

[Carolpolla]

I am new here and would appreciate any help please. I had PMR about 8 years ago which was eventually treated with prednisalone. Fast forward to 3 months ago, symptoms started again. I didn't even know you could have a flare! Two weeks ago I was so stiff and in so much pain, couldn't turn over in bed, couldn't get out a chair, off the toilet or out of a car etc. I was started on 10mg pred. ESR came back normal. Long story short I have appointment to see rheumatologist on Thursday but I am terrified he will say it is not PMR because of normal levels and will take me off the prednisalone. I honestly don't think I could cope. I find the pain unbearable! Anyone have normal bloods but still diagnosed with PMR? Would the fact I was taking Prednisalone lower the ESR? Thank you for reading this far.

Best wishes. Caroline

[PMRpro Ambassador]

There are quite a few of us on the forum - about 1 in 5 patients have blood markers that remain within normal range though that doesn't mean the levels aren't raised for you. The range is the range of readings you get in a large population of apparently healthy people, not a range that is OK for an individual. My normal ESR is in low single figures, it ran at 16-18 for weeks but no-one bothered as that is still well within the top of the range which is 20.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Just to add to PMRpro’s comments, depending how long you were on steroids before bloods were taken may well affect the readings as well. If your Rheumy has anything about him, he should treat your symptoms rather than just your blood results.

Please keep us informed.

[mgrogers99]

My labs more often than not do not correspond to my symptoms....labs have been normal during bad pain and very abnormal when I am feeling fairly decent.

[Sandradsn in reply to mgrogers99]

Same here!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to mgrogers99]

Which is why the symptoms should take precedence over lab results ...

[mgrogers99 in reply to PMRpro]

My primary doctor who isn't treating my PMR always says "listen to the patient rather than depending on lab results". She's a keeper!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to mgrogers99]

You have a gem there!

[Carolpolla]

Thank you so much for your replies, it gives me hope that the Dr will go by my symptoms and it is not abnormal to have normal bloods!

[Blearyeyed in reply to Carolpolla]

You can always bring up the points you have been given above in a polite and positive way , and where you received them at the amount if he does appear to be questioning things. This could help , take care , bee

[Pr0jection]

When I was first diagnosed in August 2020 my rheumatologist put me on 15mg of prednisolone. He also insisted that I have a GCA biopsy. 5 days later the surgeon turned up at the clinic to carry out the biopsy, found out that I'd been on steroids for 5 days and wasn't going to do it because he said it would likely affect the results of the biopsy and also any blood test results for ESR and CRP. In the end he agreed to continue after the rheumatologist, who has been working on auto immune disorders all his working life, now in his 60's, assured him that up to 5 days wouldn't make much, if any, difference. My GCA biopsy results were negative. My last two monthly blood test result in December 2021 showed my ESR at 4 (from 90 in August 2020), and has remained consistently low prior to this.