Nothing is straightforward with PMR!

[Mikeysaab]

I posted about a month ago that my PMR had returned after a long layoff. All the usual symptoms but mainly in the hips and upper legs. My GP was less sure. I have pain in the hip which after xray is early OA and signs of various related conditions. However the levels of inflammation, pain and stiffness across my whole middle section and down though my legs seems disproportionate. Meds are 10mg pred for a couple of months and Etoricoxib NSAID if needed. At the same time I have the usual meds post heart attack last year. A lot going on! If any of our experts have any experience of PMR going on alongside other conditions I would be grateful. 😁

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

unfortunately just because you have one illness doesn’t mean you can’t have others - as we all know - and as you get older more are likely to join in the party.

Not really sure what you mean by -

However the levels of inflammation, pain and stiffness across my whole middle section and down though my legs seems disproportionate.

Was that why GP wasn’t sure and requested X-ray? Think you need to discuss further with them.

[Mikeysaab in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes just to clarify the levels of inflammation stiffness and pain are disproportionate with what the doctor would expect from OA of the hip. Therefore this is more likely to be a PMR flare and treated with steroids( which I don’t think you would normally be treated with for OA). As you say dealing with multiple conditions as you get older is quite normal. It’s a new experience for me and I keep thinking how do all these meds interact etc. nothing new I guess and I’m on a journey like everyone else.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Mikeysaab]

Pred might address the inflammatory part of OA but not used in general. And yes -age essays fonts a lot of favours-but better than the alternative! 😊 all we can do is keep buggering on - as the saying goes…

[Bcol in reply to DorsetLady]

Always thought that was an "interesting" saying!

[Bcol in reply to Mikeysaab]

disproportionate with what the doctor would expect from OA of the hip

I find that an interesting comment from the doctor, I've suffered from OA for over forty years and I've yet, hopefully never, to find something that can be as debilitating or painful.

[Pixix]

You ask about people having other illnesses at same time as PMR…I suffer from Osteoarthritis in hands, hips & feet, Trochanteric bursitis on left side,Sciatica on right side, Fibromyalgia, Familial high cholesterol, Asthma, Hypertension, Hypermobility, Essential tremor, Orthostatic hypotension, Coccydinia, Haemangioma, spinal, & Macular degeneration. I fall sometimes, & currently on crutches since January as I’ve ruptured my meniscus in my knee & done other damage & awaiting surgery, which may not be until August. So, yes, life goes on as normal during PMR, which I’ve had for five & a half years, & you can gain anything at all. I did have fibromyalgia, hypermobility, high blood pressure & spinal tumour before PMR, though.

[Mikeysaab in reply to Pixix]

Wow Pixix that’s is indeed a lot going on and thank you for your reply. I wish you all the very best managing your health and wellbeing.

[Pixix in reply to Mikeysaab]

Thanks very much. It’s pretty hard to manage it all. In fact PMR is the easiest, most straight forward one, really! And it goes away, which none of the others will!! S x