I haven’t posted on here for a while but keep having a look in at what’s occurring with you all.
I was diagnosed (over the phone) at the start of the pandemic with PMR & put straight onto Pred, etc. Now 3.5 years down the line I seem to have no pain from PMR other than recent increasing pain in my hands, especially when I put pressure on. Is it PMR or the start of arthritis I ask myself.
I’m now on 4mg of Pred & my latest blood tests showed my ESR to be normal and my CRP 2mmol.
How can I tell if I still have PMR if I have no pain now apart from my hands? I will say that I’ve NEVER been referred to a rheumy, as we moved house/surgery & maybe my current GP hasn’t read my background notes.
When I get the results of the dexa scan I had today I think I’ll ask the GP for a referral.
Sorry for the long ramble but I know you all understand….
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Doraflora
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You can only tell you no longer have PMR when you are able to reduce the dose to zero and stay there for about 6 months without a return of symptoms. There is no definitive test and normal markers with no symptoms only means you are on enough pred to manage the inflammation. Pred also helps with osteoarthritis pain - that is possibly what you are feeling in your hands. Maybe it is worth trying Flexisec for the hand pain?
Would say that until now you have had well managed PMR - and if that’s the case then no pain and no raised inflammation markers. ..and therefore no need to be referred to a Rheumy. Most with straightforward PMR have no need for a specialist-and trying to get an appointment in the UK is nigh impossible nowadays.
As PMRpro says now you are a low enough for osteoarthritis [if that’s what it is] to cause an issue.. previously the higher doses of Pred may have masked it.
So either Flexiseq as already suggested or maybe painkillers, if neither help then it could be PMR ….it does affect hands in some patients.
I only mentioned about seeing a rheumy as I was diagnosed over the phone in March 2020 by a young doctor at our previous surgery and I don’t think she was too familiar with PMR.
At my new surgery I am literally left to my own devices (which suits me) although every time I get a repeat prescription it has on the script “reduce by 1mg monthly”. As I am now on 4mg - Really???🙄
From what we read on here, not sure you’d get any better advice from a Rheumy on reducing…
at least with GP surgery you aren’t being hassled to reduce- and prescription comments obviously aren’t being looked at too closely -sometimes it’s better to not rattle any cages… 😉
75% of people with PMR only see their GP and never go on to secondary care and see a rheumatologist. See what your GP says after you receive your Dexascan results.
My scan results showed that I have stainless steel bones!! A Z score of over +5 and a T score of over +2. Even then my GP wants me to take Alendronic Acid.
I don’t really understand the numbers tbh, piglette. At my latest scan on Monday the clinician said my last scan in 2020 was zero point something or other, but I don’t think she was too au fait with it. Hopefully my GP Will explain it when I get these latest results.
A bone density scan compares your bone density with the bone density expected for a young healthy adult or a healthy adult of your own age, gender and ethnicity.
The difference is calculated as a standard deviation (SD) score. This measures the difference between your bone density and the expected value.
The difference between your measurement and that of a young healthy adult is known as a T score,
The difference between your measurement and that of someone of the same age is known as a Z score.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies T scores as follows:
* above -1 SD is normal
* between -1 and -2.5 SD is defined as mildly reduced bone mineral density (BMD) compared with peak bone mass (PBM)
* at or below -2.5 SD is defined as osteoporosis
If your Z score is below -2, your bone density is lower than it should be for someone of your age.
Although BMD results provide a good indication of bone strength, the results of a bone density scan will not necessarily predict whether you'll get a fracture.
For example, someone with low bone density may never break a bone, whereas someone with average bone density may have several fractures.
This is because other factors, such as age, sex or whether you have previously had a fall, also determine if you're likely to sustain a fracture.
Your doctor will consider all of your individual risk factors before deciding if treatment is necessary.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
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