How to respond to my doctor: Hi diagnosed with PMR... - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

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How to respond to my doctor

SRIXON profile image
6 Replies

Hi diagnosed with PMR in 2017. Up and down levels of pred keen to reduce as I am a type 2 diabetic.

Down to 2mg pred in Jan this year but pain in shoulders, neck and base of back along with nasal and head congestion some mornings.

I saw my doctor in Feb he agreed I could put pred up to 5mg which has seen some improvement also had some bloods taken which a week later indicated my inflammation markers to be good.

My question how can this be so with markers the doctor is referring me again to a rhemy but that's what they will say my inflammation does not show PMR.

THANKS COL.

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SRIXON profile image
SRIXON
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6 Replies
DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

GP is obviously concerned that you seem to be struggling with your PMR because you needed to go up again, so probably wants the Rheumy’s input.

Are you still on 5mg? Or have you reduced again?

And no raised markers don’t show you DON’T have PMR , only that’s it’s being controlled by the steroids at the time the bloods were taken.

SRIXON profile image
SRIXON in reply toDorsetLady

Thanks for input. I'm still on 5 mg probably need to increase but prefer to manage discomfort. Being a diabetic it's a balancing act.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply toSRIXON

That’s probably why you are being referred -GP may think you need a steroid sparer. I think that only a Rheumy can prescribe that not GP.

SRIXON profile image
SRIXON in reply toDorsetLady

Steroid sparer!

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply toSRIXON

Methotrexate is currently recommended by both international and local guidelines as the first-line steroid-sparing drug to consider in polymyalgia rheumatica.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

How did your markers parallel symptoms in the past? Do you know? Some people find their markers don't rise with a flare when they are on any pred or the rise is very delayed.

It COULD have been your adrenal function lagging behind the reduction in dose. And the sinus problems COULD have been allergies that were controlled at higher doses and not at 2mg. Both would have improved with the increase

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