Recently diagnosed -Hello!

[Rrdance]

Good evening everyone. Ive been recently diagnosed with PMR, been looking on this site prior to joining, and found it very interesting and informative. I am a 78 year old woman, until recently fit and healthy, other than having full knee replacement 10 months ago, and having a stressful couple of years before that.2 things someone maybe able to give me answers to. Since symptoms began I've been very constipated, very unusual for me. I have a good diet - lots of veg and Ive been taking lactulose, which helped a bit, but still not normal. Dr. said nothing to do with PMR? Also had my first Alendronic acid few days ago which made me feel drugged, spaced out completely for 6 hours. Am I going to be like that every time?

Thanks for listening. I'm sure I'm going to need to pick the brains of you experienced PMRers when struggling to find answers.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

hi and welcome,

Maybe have a look at this intro post- but would say do you actually need Alendronic Acid. Do you have osteoporosis? Or been offered a DEXA scan? If no to both or either, then I’d hold off the AA until proven you need it…it is handed out too readily in some cases. I did take it for 4 years with no issues, but it doesn’t suit everyone, so if not really required, then say no. Have you been offered a VitD/Calcium supplement- that’s usually sufficient bone protection.

Not sure constipation is a common side effect of PMR, so maybe that needs more investigation.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Always someone around, so just ask as you have.. and we’ll do our best to help.

When you’ve got settled in, a bit more info on your bio would be helpful… thanks.

[agingfeminist]

The PMR tends to make you less physically active and that can cause constipation.

A few prunes (3 or 4 a day) and lots of fiber (loads of veggies)together with drinking more water (some of it as coffee and tea) solves the problem for me.

Hope this helps.

[Oh-my in reply to agingfeminist]

Prunes are great. A lower sugar choice of dried fruit and also have the added benefit of helping preserve our bones.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/357...

[Bridge31]

I agree completely with Dorset Lady. Request a Dexa Scan if you haven’t had one. A Acid is on the tick list for PMR with some of the medical profession . They tried to make me take it but having read the information on this wonderful forum I refused. My Dexa scan was fine for my age (76).

As for the constipation , when your GP said he didn’t think it was anything to do with the PMR did he not suggest anything to help ?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Were you constipated with the PMR before starting pred? It is a listed effect of pred - sometimes you think there isn't much that isn't ...

This is a discussion from another forum

patient.info/forums/discuss...

However - this study

scielo.br/j/rn/a/YKJ6sYFRd9...

found constipation is more common in patients with myofascial pain syndrome - and some of the aspects of MPS are considered by some experts in the field as the defining pathology of PMR.

jrheum.org/content/46/12/1552

I think Claire's paper is one of the important ones in the field in the last few years - so I'd disagree with your GP!! I don't expect other patients to read all the publications I link but sometimes they would be a comeback to an uninformed comment from a GP (or rheumy).

As for the AA - there are other options if you NEED a bisphosphonate but the questions is as to whether you need one, not everyone does. Before you take any more - make sure you see a dentist and have any necessary work sorted out now before taking the AA since many dentists get very iffy about doing anything once you are on it.

[LIVEORDIEHEREIAM]

An apple a day...

Works for me!