some advice

[Stanca]

swelling in the collarbone

I have some swelling in my collarbone which could be linked to rheumatoid arthritis . Is there a link between PMR and rheumatoid arthritis? Can the first lead to the other ? Sorry if I sound so ignorant . This is a new development for me after 3 years of PMR

[piglette]

Both PMR and Rheumatoid Arthritis are auto immune diseases and they say if you get one auto immune disease you are more susceptible to getting another one.

[Stanca in reply to piglette]

thank you!

[Downtime]

I have seronagative RA and PMR . I dont know that there’s a strong link but they are both autoimmune conditions so maybe.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It isn't known if there is a link other than both being autoimmune, However, when LORA (late onset RA) starts it can appear identical to PMR with no joint involvement and there is no way to distinguish between them - clinical studies have been done. So it isn't unusual for patients to be diagnosed with PMR when it is actually LORA. I suspect these are the patients who do well with a DMARD since they are really aimed at inflammatory arthritis. Sometimes the response to pred signals it isn't "just" PMR - patients who need a higher dose or where the response is there but not dramatic or later deteriorates without being able to reduce the dose at all may suggest it could be an inflammatory arthritis.

[Stanca in reply to PMRpro]

thank you PMR pro. Are there specific tests which can confirm that it is Rheumatoid Arthritis or mostly the symptoms that determine it .

I am feeling so much fatigue as well as having the swelling in my collarbone . If you have any articles you know of which I can read I would be very grateful .

But thank you so much for your reply . Always very helpful ! And for your time !

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Stanca]

In the case of RA, the anti-CCP test is helpful, if it is raised it is very unlikely to be PMR but can be negative in RA so not perfect, But generally the only thing to confirm RA is erosion of joints - and that can take a long time.

There are others who have had swelling at the collarbone - the sternocleidomastoid muscle attaches at the collarbone and can be involved in PMR with inflammation of the attachment.

[RoomsonFire in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for describing the Collarbone muscle attached detail , for over 2 years with PMR now I’ve been puzzled why my Collarbones are so sore ! 😳 🙏

[Stanca in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMR pro. I sadly have erosion of joints ( collarbone) as confirmed by an MRI scan and it is painful especially when I wake up on the morning . I have booked a private visit to a specialist as I am getting nowhere with an appointment through NHS . Is this still the site to be on for information and help ? Thank you!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Stanca]

Depends I suppose - is the erosion due to an inflammatory arthritis? And then it depends on whether it is localised and what medical treatment is decided on - in terms of living with symptoms of either disease or drug there will be overlaps but also things of which we have no experience. We don't tip anyone off the forum just because they have something else - several come here bcause our knowledge is relevant to them.