?????? Help!!!

[Ellie135]

Hi all, I was diagnosed with polymyalgia 8 years ago (aged 46), given pred, put 3 stone on in 6 weeks, taken off pred and nothing mentioned since. I didn't have a blood test or anything for my diagnosis, I had been experiencing shoulder pain for 3 years previously. I have bulging discs in my cervical and lumbar spine due to trauma which could explain the neck and hip pain. Is there a test that can be done to either confirm or rule out PMR?

[SheffieldJane]

Diagnosis tends to be based on the symptom picture although inflammation levels are measured by CRP and ESR blood tests. High levels are a definite indication but some individuals have PMR without raised inflammation markers. Also inflammation markers can be caused by any number of things, even the common cold. A good swift response to Prednisalone /Prednisone is a very strong indicator. PMR can and does return. A very low carb diet has saved some of us from the weight gain.

[Ellie135 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks for your reply Sheffieldjane, unfortunately my PMR has never gone away but I did respond to the pred immediately so that answers my query. I've just shed the 3 stone I gained, I swapped it for type 2 diabetes :(. So a very low carb diet is in full swing. TY x

[SheffieldJane in reply to Ellie135]

wow! Well done, That is not easy. I am impressed. I have borderline type 2 diabetes too but I lack your discipline, I fear.

[Ellie135]

It's a case of having to change my lifestyle cos I'm a carb junkie and being undiagnosed for so long has meant that I've developed cataracts in both eyes. Luckily I have a fantastic optician that told me to get checked out, and at least cataracts can be treated when they get bad enough.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

About the only test that is anywhere near conclusive would be a PET-CT and it might be worth it since you aren't on pred which interferes. But they are expensive and there is a waiting list - so not used as often as they should be,