dentist

[Shaza123]

going to see the dentist today I’ve got pain in my teeth again my gums are also sore. I’m not sure if it’s due to me tapering the pred I’ve also been getting headaches again. I’m struggling with 8 and a half mg of pred but the rhumy has up me from 15 mg methotrexate injections to 20 mg I’m just waiting for them to arrive. Rhumy said to keep reducing as planned 1 mg per month of pred but I’m not going to as so much of the pain is making me anxious again I’m absolutely fed up🥲.im anxious I’ve got GCA . Sorry for the moan it’s that or cry

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If you can't moan here - where can you moan?

I do wish that rheumies wouldn't assume that as soon as you start MTX you can reduce the pred dose at speed. MTX doesn't work for everyone and even when it does, it can take a few months to take effect, especially in RA. Is your GP more sympathetic to problems? Perhaps have a chat with them (yes, I know, I know ...)

When you say you are getting headaches again - was there ever a thought you might have GCA? You say you are now diagnosed with RA - is that in addition to PMR or instead of PMR? It isn't uncommon for LORA (late onset RA) to present identically to PMR in the early stages so it does make that differentiation complicated.

[Shaza123 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your reply. I was diagnosed with RA last year not long after thr PMR. My pain score was over 100 on the blood test and because it was so high they put me on 50 mg pred straight away I couldn’t even dress myself. After being on that dose for just over two weeks they did a biopsy which came back negative for GCA.

Just got back from the dentist and he says my teeth are fine no issues he did a X-ray and all ok. So it’s my PMR/ steroids causing the pain. I’ve gone back to brushing with a soft infant toothbrush and using sensordine toothpaste which helps.my GP has put me under the care of the rheumatologist some time ago . What would we all do without this forum thank you

[Seekingasolution]

no wonder you feel anxious. Any pain around the head is likely to make you feel that.

I’m wondering if you need to contact your rheumy again asap, maybe via your GP and report these latest symptoms. I mean it’s hardly trivial is it ?

If your dentist can confirm that you don’t have an abscess lurking that would cause the pain, ( maybe masked by the pred ) then it’s an immediate call to the GP. Get it sorted before the Christmas holidays are upon us ! You need some medical help. Xx

[jls93]

Shaza123, I agree w our PMRPro in that expressing your concerns and angst is fine and MTX doesn't immediately take effect when initiated or w dose change per se. My experience w methotrexate was in tablet form and was one ( of many) trial strategies to taper off pregnisone. "Prenisone sparing" was the phraseology here in the states. The strategy was to achieve MTX therapeutic dose then start a preg. taper. I (as others )have had an abundance of varied " side effects" oral, GI, joint and muscle etc. on our resprctive journeys.

I say this to reinforce your attentiveness / awareness of your own individual physiology. Our collective share of experiences in this forum helps ( me at least ) with context to reference the many happenings is our bodies, brains and emotional states as we pursue our health, wellness; which you are doing from your posts.

There are sooo many "moving parts" in most everyone's situations and solutions. Welcome to our shared experiences. Sometimes I use the analogy of managing our situations is like " steering a cruise ship ", we don't turn on a dime. That being said pursue your health, and do" the next right thing" . BTW as good cry at times can be a catharsis and another refreshed place to move forward from.. big blessings and good juju to you! ;-)... jeff