Relapse after 4 years

[Starman53]

I was diagnosed with PMR after having a Erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 31mm/hr in 2017

Went on steroids and managed to come off when the rate dropped to 19mm/hr in early 2019

I play golf and was diagnosed with a blood clot in June 2022. So on medication for 12 weeks to clear. Advised not to play golf.

I started back in September but had difficulty as I could not grip with my hands.

I thought this may be nerve related and went to see an osteopath. Whilst this helped, the grip problem persisted.

Then I had continuous pain in my wrists and throbbing in my palms as well as muscle pain in my biceps

I do get stiffness, especially if say holding a book to read and my arms are in one position and upper shoulder stiffness

My recent blood test showed: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate

37 mm/hr

Is this the PMR returning or could it be something else? I have been back to the GP and they have booked me in to see a doctor about my bloods (Don't worry they said it's just a routine examination). However, its difficult not to worry

[SheffieldJane]

It could be that your PMR didn’t completely go and it has been building up since 2019. Contrary to what some doctors seem to think, 2 years is a really short time for PMR to last. Tapering too quickly can lead to this situation. Of course the blood clot and possibly other stresses can precipitate this situation. I hope the doctor you have been referred to is a specialist. The average time for PMR is around 5 years according to a study we have seen on here. I cannot bring the name of it to mind, but PMRPro shared it and she will know.

During my PMR (4 years) morphing into GCA/ Large Vessel Vasculitis ( 3 years, on-going) I have experienced the hand weakness that improved on its own and the disease expressed itself elsewhere, same with the palm, finger and upper arm pain. In fact I have experienced more pain travelling around the body, since my (non cranial) GCA/ LVV diagnosis. The diseases are closely related. I was diagnosed by a specialist Ultrasound Scan that showed the characteristic halo effect in the arteries in my armpit.

I have moved on to E- books and audio largely as heavy books in particular cause pain and stiffness and even dropping heavy books on my face in bed.

I hope you manage to obtain a speedy and correct diagnosis and effective treatment. Best wishes.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It certainly sounds as if it could be the PMR returning - it is never cured, it only goes into remission and for some people it comes back as another episode. However, only ESR/CRP is not diagnostic of PMR, they only indicate there is inflammation or infection somewhere in the body but not what it is in particular.

The symptoms you describe do sound very PMR-ish but whether the GP will agree is another question,

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Certainly sounds PMR -ish, and as said, quite likely - the initial 2 years may be quoted in many articles, but it's not always fact. ..and actually a ESR reading of 31mm was not particularly high - so whoever diagnosed you must have put more consideration on symptoms - which are the key..

[nuigini]

Agree this could be PMR. CRP over 10 'can' be a sign of a flare for me, but I've also had raised CRP due to inflammation from arthritis, bladder infections and other issues. For me symptoms overrule blood indicators. Major signs of a flare in my case are neck, upper back, shoulder and triceps pain of unknown cause, e.g. gardening, exercise, etc.