PMR symptoms

[Woollyback1]

Hello this is my first time posting on this site. I would like your opinions, in January after two severe attacks of gout only a couple of months apart my GP prescribed Prednisone 5mg which I’d never taken before( my pills for keeping gout away are Allopurnol and Colchicine when having an attack) I took the Prednisone for 28days then stopped. Roughly four to six weeks later I couldn’t move my legs when I got up at 0500hrs to go to work, the night before I was fine.

My GP suspects PMR and I am currently waiting for a referral when I eventually see the rheumatologist it will around three months from first starting with groin area and shoulder pain both sides. I have been taking Naproxen 750mg a day. Is it possible that starting the Prednisone then stopping suddenly provoked symptoms for PMR?

Thanks.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Hi and welcome - but a lot more info would help us help you better.

I would think it is unlikely that it triggered the PMR in any way, But 5mg is a rather nothing dose - and gout is usually treated with a higher dose for 5 days or so - so why did the GP use that?

But why won't your GP try the standard approach for PMR since you may have a long wait to see a rheumy. Standard would be a starting dose of 15-20mg and a response would be expected in 1-2 weeks.

[Woollyback1 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for the reply. I should say I’m a 55yrs old male and up until I had these symptoms very fit and active. I think the reason the GP hasn’t given me steroids is because of my age and the complications that come with taking steroids like osteoporosis , if I was Seventy he would have started me straight away and he stated them the rheumatologist needed to eradicate other medical possibilities. Hopefully when I see the Rheumatologist at the beginning of June he can give me some answers 👍

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Woollyback1]

I think the reason the GP hasn’t given me steroids is because of my age and the complications that come with taking steroids like osteoporosis..

Not necessarily- just because there is a long list of side effects, doesn’t mean you’re going to get all or even some of them… your GP has some strange ideas on steroids and patients ages…

You might like to look at this - if it is PMR - and it does sound very much like it -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Woollyback1 in reply to DorsetLady]

I read your piece and found it informative. Obviously like most things in live this depends on the individual and we all respond differently but thanks again.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Woollyback1]

I've been on pred for nearly 14 years, much of it at above 10mg/day - I've had PMR symptoms for over 18 years. I have no sign of diabetes, my bone density hasn't changed significantly and I have never taken a bisphosphonate, I gained weight, I lost weight while on pred. There are many so-called adversed effects of pred - but I can tell you, PMR itself can cause some of them. Some people get some adverse effects, some get next to none. And I will tell anyone who asks that pred gave me life back

[Woollyback1 in reply to PMRpro]

All good to know thanks every bit of information is useful 👍

[piglette]

Did the Naproxen have any effect on the pain, that would be interesting to know?

[Woollyback1 in reply to piglette]

Hello, yes it definitely reduced the pain and let’s me carry out my activities as long as I don’t overdo it.👍

[piglette in reply to Woollyback1]

In that case it may not be PMR that it is helping, as other painkillers really do not have much effect, if any, on PMR.

[Woollyback1 in reply to piglette]

Time will tell I’ll get back to you on that one 👍

[Bcol]

Hi there, must admit to being a little confused by your doctor, who I guess doesn't understand PMR and how it's treated. I've been on Pred for nearly three years now, haven't put on weight, my Hba1c markers for possible Diabetes have actually gone down and my last two DEXA scans show that my bones are in excellent shape, without the help of any biphosphonates. I've also never had a Rheumatologist, all managed by my excellent GP's and surgery. A starting dose of 15-20mg of Pred would have given an excellent indication, in a week or so, of its effectiveness or not.

[Woollyback1 in reply to Bcol]

Thanks for your reply, very interesting reading all useful information and I’m pleased things have gone well for you 👍

I have waited awhile now and my GP is a really interested and attentive Doctor so I’ll wait the extra few weeks and hopefully when I see the Rheumatologist we can go from there.

[Bcol in reply to Woollyback1]

I should have also added that those little white (for me) pills have given me my life back.

[Woollyback1 in reply to Bcol]

Glad to hear it 👍

[Koalajane]

I hope your rheumatologist is bone of the good ones!

[Woollyback1]

Cheers, so do I 👍

[Pondhopper]

hello, I was wondering how you are now and if you did have PMR as well as gout?