diagnosis at last and methotrexate

[JessJess21]

hello everyone, thank you for your support over the last eight months. I saw the consultant rheumatologist yesterday and he confirmed that he thought it was PMR. All my symptoms and pet scan seem to agree with that however I’m resistant steroids so that’s a complication.. he said it is possible but unusual. Also particularly as I’m of Indian heritage.. However, one of the things he’s doing is he giving me a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis because it gives you a wider access to treatments. So in effect, doesn’t really matter as long as you get the treatment that you need. So he started me on methotrexate& Hydrooxychlorocine (? Sp). And that will take a couple of months to see if that works and if that doesn’t work, it’s biologics.. I’m hoping this work I’ve had eight months now of chronic pain just treated with nothing else but naproxen and paracetamol and tramadol. My shoulders and hands are particularly bad at the moment.. the osteo arthritis in my knees are being fairly adequately managed by Physio but still really awful and finally I’ve taken some sick leave from work so I have a month off. I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to take the time off. I was doing okay until about three or four weeks ago when my mood plummeted, but I feel I can now put some effort into my recovery relaxing. I have a few bits to finish off work this week which I will do after that. I can concentrate on recovery. I found keeping my mood up the most important thing because it affects how I process and tackle my own self-care. Physio has said that I need to keep my muscles active but it’s so difficult when they’re in pain.. wishing everyone well- jess

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Thanks for update -and sensible consultant -what’s in a name, if it means you can get treatment.

It might take a little while for MTX to make a difference so fingers crossed to a better outcome for you.

[Fatsiajaponica]

Good luck with the new regime, you are so right about the low mood impacting recovery but it is hard sometimes to keep your mood elevated, well done for managing that over a long period. Enjoy the break from work and here's hoping that new medication works soon.🌷

[PMRpro Ambassador]

A sensible doctor, thinking out of the box and what IS a name.

But actually - it could still be RA in disguise - they have done studies and there were absolutely NO distinguishing features when patients presented with LORA that only looked like PMR so it wasn't the doctor's fault it was confused.

Do let us now how it goes from here.

[Indigo2417]

You have done really well carrying on thus far. Wishing you all the best.