2 weeks on...............................

[Sue8]

Well it's 2 weeks since I was finally diagnosed with PMR and put on 20mg of Pred. Today I feel loads of improvement, only had pain in one shoulder/neck on waking at 6.20am. I have in the last hour blitzed my kitchen something I have been unable to do in a while. Now I will rest while having breakfast and meds.

I was wondering if Arthritis runs in families or could be genetic?

I wonder this as my mum (69) has Osteo-arthritis and spondalosis of the spine, she has had 2 new knee's 2 yrs ago because of arthritis but only retired 1 yr ago.

My eldest son who was 29 on Tuesday has Ankylosing Spondilitis and has had for about 3 yrs now. He has a fortnightly injection which unfortunately only helps a little and has now been put on another med which requires weekly blood tests. With all this he is married with a 7 month old son of his own and he is a staff nurse at Great Ormond streets neurosurgical hospital.

My daughter who is almost 28 has tremendous pain in her back and hips and has suffered terribly since last October. MRI scans have shown all is fine with her brain and spine so they say she possibly has Fibromyalgia but the meds are not working from what I can see so I am not convinced.

So, Can all these arthritic conditions be genetic?

[Hidden]

Hi Sue,

So glad you're feeling better. It's so tempting to go for it with the housework, etc. when you are picking up again, but do make sure you do it in short bursts and then put your feet up for a while.

As for arthritic illnesses. I guess some can be genetic, rheumatoid arthritis for instance, and others not. Your mum's conditions are probabley due to wear and tear and your son's may be genetic, but remember I'm not a doctor.

PMR which you and I both have is, I believe, almost certainly genetic. Both my parents had autoimmune diseases. Also they both had Scandinavian ancestry, my dad especially. He was half Swedish. This illness is most common in Scandinavia.

Sorry to hear your daughter is ill too. You have a lot to worry about, I guess. Probabley not easy to put yourself first sometimes eh?

Pats.

[Sue8 in reply to Hidden]

I have had a rest between things today. I have managed to do the ironing then had lunch and sat and watched Gino & Mel (I love this program). I have just made some maids of honour cakes now to rest again before I make our steak pie for dinner.

The difference in me today is fantastic but I am well aware of doing to much as I will be useless tomorrow.

[Hidden]

Hi Sue,

Well lets hope not. I was just the same as you are regarding work. I've learned to pace myself better now.

Pats.

[Sue8 in reply to Hidden]

it is hard isn't it, I used to own a newsagents and got up really early then went home to get the kids to school then back work at night to shut the shop etc. I wonder how I ever had the energy to do it all as I only closed the shop 5 and a half yrs ago due to my hubby having cancer and couldn't cope alone. (He is recovered)

I will definitely pace myself, I could tell I had done the ironing.

[Hidden]

It seems very unfair, doesn't it. To work so hard and then get ill. The thing is that you have to live this illness or it will live you. Gather all the strength you have to fight it. Remember Pred. is a great drug, but it is not perfect. You have to fight with Pred. or PMR will win.

Pats.

[Sue8]

Very true Pats. I am so glad I found this group for support as PMR is not heard of much. If I tell someone I have it they always ask what it is.

I don't like the sound of that GCA so I am hoping my PMR has got treated early enough cos I don't fancy that as well but I guess there are no promises.

My sugar is a bit all over the place so I am presuming it is the Pred doing it. Got my hb1ac next week then the docs a few days later so will have a good chat with him hopefully.

Very stiff neck and shoulders this morning and one hip, but they are easing now. I went to bed at 9.30 last night and woke at 7.30am this morning so a good nights sleep had.