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.
Written by
Rrdance
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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.
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.
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 ?
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.
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.
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Recently Diagnosed PMR
Recently Diagnosed - or not? (UK)
recently diagnosed. 
Newly diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica and more recently GCA
