Does PMR affect one side of your body more than the other ?

[Murphysauntie]

I have only just been diagnosed two weeks ago but I have noticed a distinct difference in how PMR is affecting my RHS more than my left . And how long the steroids are taking to kick in in the morning .

I’m doing 5mg at 2am and the rest whenever I wake , normally between 5 and 6 am with no real relief until 4-5 hours later . I am taking paracetamol in between due to the soreness in my left shoulder and knee . Am I missing something or is this the way it goes ?

Any advice would be gratefully received

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi and welcome,

PMR is usually bilateral, but occasionally one side can be more affected than the other especially if there are existing issues that side ….

Have a look at this link for general info on your illness etc, and it is recommended you take full dose as one rather than split it, especially at the beginning… otherwise your doctor doesn’t know whether it’s enough, and although 15mg is the most normal starting dose, some may need slightly more.

Maybe try taking your full dose at 2am… that should help the morning. But usual advice is around breakfast time - and if sufficient it should last 24 hrs… although first thing in morning can be troublesome, as explained in link. ..and are you treating yourself as a person with an illness or trying to carry on life as normal? [previously very active, it’s very often difficult to slow down, but you do need to].

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

PS - do you know you have posted this 3 times… perhaps delete the others otherwise you’ll have replies on all of them..

[sidra1968]

Mine does, I think PMR attacks the "weak" spots one may have from past surgeries, injuries, etc. and/or we feel it more in those areas. Makes some sense to me.

[Murphysauntie in reply to sidra1968]

Thank you . I do appreciate everyone’s advise and comments .

[AtopicGuy]

You biography says, "In march thought I had issues with an encapsulated rotor cuff as I’ve had issues before then the back pain started knees etc . Long story short finally was lucky enough to have a conversation with the wonderful nurse practitioner at our surgery who ordered blood tests and within three days was contacted told I had PMR and put on steroids . This was two weeks ago." That sounds as if you were primarily diagnosed based on abnormal CRP and/or ESR blood tests. Have you had follow-up tests to see whether things have improved?

PMR is far from the only condition that raises CRP/ESR levels: most infections and some injuries do, as well as other autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

[Murphysauntie in reply to AtopicGuy]

I was diagnosed based on the abnormal blood tests and have had No further tests yet . Am having a conversation with my doctor in about 10 days time after being on 15mg of Pred for 3 weeks and a reduced dosage of 12.5 for 7 days .

[AtopicGuy in reply to Murphysauntie]

It would be interesting to know whether the prednisolone has brought down your CRP and/or ESR; and if so, how far?