Polymyalgia question

[Jane424]

Please help. I have developed quite quickly severe bilateral shoulder and pelvic pain. It is much worse on damp days, when I feel as if I have flu but no fever. The only thing that seems to match is Polymyalgia but my ESR and CRP are normal. Any suggestions where to look next would be very helpful. PS I am always medically outside the box. For example, I have multiple myeloma with clear bone marrow and bones, the two must have conditions. Is it possible to have Polymyalgia with normal blood tests? Many thanks.

[PMRpro]

I suggest you come over to the dedicated PMRGCAuk forum where there are literally thousands of us all in the situation who can answer your questions about PMR.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk

Yes, you CAN have PMR with ESR and CRP that are within normal range - doesn't mean they aren't raised for you of course but up to 20% of patients are in that group. Sometimes they are low at the start, lagging behind and only rising later.

However - have you spoken to your (I assume) oncologist who cares for the MM? MM is actually a rule out before a diagnosis of PMR is made - is it well controlled?

[Jane424 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, my MM is well controlled. I have contacted my hematologist querying whether my pain is from lesions. My MRI 18 months ago showed no lesions on my body anywhere. The pain is general, bilateral at hips and shoulders. One spot on my neck hurts more specifically and an Xray showed no abormality or lesion. My MM bloodwork: IgM steadily going down, now 17 down from 50 last year. Many thanks.

[Jane424 in reply to PMRpro]

Have contacted group as you suggest. Can you give me a reference to 20% polymyalgia patients having normal blood tests. So I can show my GP. Many thanks.

[PMRpro in reply to Jane424]

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

researchgate.net/publicatio...

all have mentions of "up to 20%" - the figures vary but it does happen.