Hi Snaggler and a warm welcome from me too - although I'm sure you'd really rather not have to have got to know us, albeit virtually!
You have been unlucky to have both GCA and PMR symptoms as that does seem to be an exception rather than a rule. I know MrsK always says she feels glad she \"only\" had GCA without the physical discomfort of the PMR symptoms. I, on the other hand, am heartily grateful that although there is probably something more than simple PMR going on, I do not have anything that suggests my vision is at risk.
What to expect? As the others said, difficult to say really as we are all fairly different. With PMR usually the stiffness and muscle and joint pains subside fairly quickly once you are on the steroids - it is typical for them to respond by about 75% to 15 to 20 mg/day within a week or two at the most and since you are on a much higher dose that should definitely apply if it is PMR. The GCA is a bit more resistant sometimes and getting that inflammation under control is a bit fiddlier.
You say you may have RA as well - is your doctor sure about the PMR? It can easily be confused with LORA (late onset RA) although there is usually less muscular involvement and 1 in 6 patients or thereabouts who initially are diagnosed with PMR have the diagnosis revised at a later point. It isn't know whether the PMR morphs into LORA or whether it is simply a mistaken diagnosis in the first place.
You don't say how old you are - but you have my sympathy for still needing to work. I was lucky, not only am I a translator which means no physical exertion at work, but I am also freelance and my husband earned well enough for me not to have to worry about how much I worked. I could never have coped with getting up and getting to work every day, especially if I'd had to travel by public transport. I had PMR for about 5 years undiagnosed and in the early days was working part-time as a medical technician with my husband on a research project. When I finished I knew that looking for another job would be very difficult as I really found it quite difficult in some respects. Working for my husband gave me a lot of leeway and patients were usually booked for afternoons when things were much easier!
Do you have no sick leave? Are there no disability discrimination regulations - in the UK it is possible to get coverage by them although that is also not easy. Nothing fits PMR for the assessments so you have to demand an expert in the field with appropriate experience etc etc. At least being in Canada you don't have the fear of losing heathcare coverage unlike in the US. A lot also depends on how open your employer is, of course, and what your job involves and your primary job seems very hard on someone with PMR and GCA. The diseases themselves are hard - being on high dose pred just adds to the problems.
If you have a read around this forum you will find lots of posts about how it has affected many of us - and even more at the links MrsO and Nefret mentioned, especially the pmr gca uk northest support site where there are articles from sufferers about their illness, their treatment and their recoveries - the bit to encourage us all!
Do keep in touch now you have found us and if you have any specific questions - is this normal? did you have this? how did you deal with this? sort of thing, don't hesitate to ask. And if you want a whinge, scream or moan - we're always ready to listen and sympathise. :wink:
all the best, :D
Eileen