Pmr , Rs3pe

[bmwm135i]

My dad is 78 yrs old was fit and healthy he started having symptoms of limited shoulder movement, pain at the back of his thighs , swollen hands that he couldnt move and fatigue, high crp and esr in blood, carpal tunnel in both hands due too swelling

He has seen a reumy at hospital at hospital and put on 15mg of presidone vit D,calcium also, his crp/esr dropped to normal levels now

the symptoms have got better, one hand his first 3 fingers are a bit numb

he feels ok in himself and can do things around the home like normal

he does seem pale skin tone at times and still gets fatigue

i can also see and feel some swelling infront of each ear

we go back too see the reumy at hospital in 2 week

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi and welcome,

What has your dad actually been diagnosed with? PMR alone or is it still under review?

This might give you [and him] a bit more info if it is PMR - and yes would expect his inflammation markers to fall, just shows Pred is doing what it should -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

You do need to discuss the swelling in front of his ear - does he have any dental issue? And also check the numbness in his fingers, could be CT or RS3PE at next appointment- and do please let us know how he progresses.

[bmwm135i]

Thank you Dorset lady, we got a letter saying they think its PMR, we go back for a follow up, hes teeth all seem ok, this has happened pretty quick, i will write some notes and want too ask some questions too on the follow up

[SnazzyD]

Hello and welcome, DorsetLady will be along with her welcome post with useful information. How long has he been on 15mg?

Regards swelling, one thing to consider is that Pred does make fat relocate to the face, neck, the below neck hump area and the midriff. If it’s the same on both sides and isn’t associated with any other symptoms, it might well be that.

One thing to remember with Pred is that is doing a great job of dealing with the inflammation of PMR, hence the symptoms getting better. What it doesn’t do is get rid of the abnormal autoimmune activity that produced the symptoms. That is still happening, for now at least. Therefore, fatigue is part and parcel of this and Pred also has side effects of its own. Pred can give people false energy so that they do more than their body is happy with right now. This is especially the case when people feel they have a new lease of life with the banishment of their pain. Rest is an important part of this and finding a balance between not stopping so over doing it and not giving up completely and losing function is key.

One more thing, diet. Pred can quickly make blood sugars shoot up and weight to pile on. Cutting out beige carbs and sugars is the key when on steroids. A normal healthy diet doesn’t normally cut it. It helps stop the snack attacks as the blood sugars are more stable too. Start early, it makes life easier later on.

[bmwm135i]

Many thanks,for replying, he has been on pred 2 months so far, 15mg,hes been doing exercises for his arms and shoulders which has been helping with his progress,his weight has stayed the same throughout so far, all the bloods and chest xray they have done all seem fine

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to bmwm135i]

Gentle exercise is good -but not too much repetition -PMR muscles don’t always like that.

New booklet from charity for info - can download or get paper copy - (small donation appreciated) and get your dad to join charity-only £15 a year -with 3 magazines and loads more info

pmrgca.org.uk/wp-content/up...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Hi and welcome on behalf of your dad. DL and Snazzy have already said what I'd have said so won't repeat it.

It definitely sounds very like PMR and RS3PE is often found alongside it and also responds to pred. I think the numb fingers are left from early carpal tunnel which is also not uncommon.

Any questions, do come and ask. You'll get an answer by next morning at the latest!