Hi all
My dad is 72 and still works at a computer for 8 hours a day in a stressful job. He doesn’t get up and move about during working hours! About 4 weeks ago, he started to get very sore in his arm muscles, arm joints and his thighs.
The pain was worse in the morning and he wasn't able to cross his arms in front of his chest as they were so tight and sore. He went to his GP and they took some bloods and then told him he has Polymyalgia Rheumatica.
In the last few days the pain has eased. He is getting up and moving more and also using heat to smooth the muscles. He is also going to see a physio.
Do these results look like he has PR? I have no confidence in his GP, but that is another long story!
Any help would be appreciated
There are 3 sheets and not able to add them all to this one.
How many MG starting Prednisone do you think I should have been started on? 
Wondering if I have PMR or not
Is it joints or ligaments
HI,
I'm sorry but I cannot read anything - can you have a look and see if there are any results for following and then tell us what they are - they are most usual for diagnosing PMR -
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
The symptoms you describe do sound very PMR-like , but are you saying they have resolved of their own accord without any medication (steroids/ Prednisolone)
You might like to read this which explains more about the illness -
healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...
But you do need to discuss with GP... if you don't have confidence with current one. can you speak to another in the practice?
Hi
Not sure how to post the blood results without them being small
Serum C reactive protein level 43 mg/L range is (0.00 - 5.00mg/L)
Erythrocyte Sedimentation rate 42 mm/h range is (0.00 - 30.00mm/h)
The GP didn’t see him and left a voice mail. He said that he should take 3 x 5mcg of Steroids for a few weeks and then been weaned off them. My Dad is nervous of going on steroids and wanted to see if there were other options available like physio or supplements to help, however, the GP is rude and doesn’t like being questioned. He is the only GP in the practice as he owns it. I left many years ago but my Dad hasn’t.
CRP is certainly too high, ESR is high, but not quite so much…
…and taking steroids for a few weeks (if it is PMR) is not going to work…it’s a long term situation - anything from 2years upward - but he wouldn’t be on 15mg all the time, that’s just the starting dose.
But if pains have receded then it may be something else, both CRP and ESR just show inflammation is higher than expected - but not what’s causing it.
His arm pains have reduced in the last few days. The only other abnormal results are his Liver function test where the serum globulin is slight higher.
If he waits and doesn’t take the steroids, would the delay in starting them have any negative effect on his condition, if it is PR?
If it is PMR then the inflammation will continue to accumulate (without Pred) -and you’re never sure how much damage that is causing to the body.
it’s so difficult because how do you know it is PMR
Well mainly symptoms (although those can be attributed to other diseases), for most people an increase in inflammation markers (although not everyone has them) and ruling out other things like rheumatoid arthritis, age (over 50) and how the patient reacts to the steroids.
It’s not easy..,which is why it takes lots of patients a long time to get a diagnosis.
Okay, I see. This has been so helpful to talk to people. It’s weird that the stiffness in his arm muscles have now almost gone
See you said that ibuprofen has helped his arms -well it will help reduce inflammation on a short term basis, But it’s not recommended to use long term, and IF the inflammation is caused by PMR then in time it won’t continue to control it.
I know it took a long time to diagnose my GCA so I tried all sorts of painkillers/NSAIDs etc
I suppose if he tried the steroids and the pain went then it may point to PMR.
Doctors don’t like steroids, which is why his probably suggested 3 weeks -almost as a trial.
Think you need to try and persuade him to try them -but give it a week or two if he’s reticent. If the pains return, he might be pleased to try.
yes, I’m going to sit him down tomorrow and have a chat with her. Also inform him of this risk of leaving it and it getting worse. Would he take all 3 tablets first thing in the morning?
Honestly, this website and people on here are a life saver. It feels so good to be able to discuss concerns
Yes, that’s usual recommendation-with/after breakfast.
It is a clinical (based on symptoms) diagnosis of exclusion (other possible things ruled out) - and from what I can see the GP has done the right sort of tests to rule most other things out. A prompt response to a moderate dose of pred is also significant.
From what I can tell it is a perfectly reasonable assumption.