pmr. Already diagnosed with GCA

[CavalierKC3]

people diagnosed with PMR how does it affect you & what is treatment. Does it affect both sides of the body. I have terrible pain etc in left leg, thigh, hip & lower back area which is always worse mornings. Rheumatologist is adamant it is not PMR as it is only one side of body. My GP is getting me XRays of both knees & both hips, but I may be waiting ages .

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Have to say agree with Rheumy -probably not PMR per se -but could be related to it -something like Trochanteric bursitis.

Have a look at this -

nhs.uk/conditions/bursitis/

Some exercises here if it is -and plenty more online but you do need to know for sure -so discuss with GP

shsurgery.co.uk/website/M82...

[piglette]

I think I agree with your rheumatologist in your case. PMR is bilateral. Normally in the shoulder area and/or hips.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

PMR can very occasionally start on one side long before the other but what you describe sounds much more like greater trochanteric pain syndrome. If so, I doubt x-rays will show much is it is predominantly muscular. Is he being too lazy to do a physical examination?

nhsinform.scot/illnesses-an....

nhsaaa.net/allied-health-pr...

yourphysio.org.uk/condition...

They are all NHS articles but different - and your GP can't whinge they are off the internet ...

[Mazxstitch]

I was diagnosed April 2019 with PMR, at that time my pain was bilateral and predominantly neck, shoulders and arms.However, as time went on my pain is mostly down my right hand side.

[Broseley]

My PMR started in one hip, which was found on an MRI to be inflamed with no arthritis. It spread to both my knees and lower back, then my other hip. The stiffness was horrendous in the mornings making dressing very difficult, getting in and out of the car, etc. I had no problems with my shoulders, but it did spread to my neck and jaw, then occipital pain so was diagnosed as PMR and GCA. Hope that helps. Pred resolved all my symptoms within 24 hours. Magic!

[CavalierKC3 in reply to Broseley]

have you tapered down on prednisolone & found symptoms come back or are you still on high dose

[Broseley in reply to CavalierKC3]

I've tapered successfully from 40mg down to currently 3.5mg with no flares (touch wood). I had a few twinges in my jaw and some slight pain in my temple at the biopsy site but it literally lasted a few seconds at a time for approx 3 times a day and rheumy wasn't concerned. Since getting below 7mg I get slight stiffness in my left hip but it hasn't got any worse and lasts all day so rheumy thinks it's mot related to PMR. The other pains stopped.

[Viveka]

I have GCA (2 years 4 months). PMR showed at 22 months on 3mg. Classic soreness in front of both shoulders and pain with repetitive movement. Now back down to 3mg. Fingers crossed. GCA symptoms only appear very irregularly during taper withdrawal periods. Yours does not sound typical of PMR.