HI, Ihave been given Amitriplyline for PMR no help with the pain, as any 1 else been given these. Thanks Jane.
I was only given them when I had very bad tendonitis in my shoulder alongside PMR. I believe they are given for nerve pain so I don't see how they would help with PMR. I didn't find they helped with pain at all anyway- though they were useful just to break the pattern of insomnia that I had developed with the shoulder pain.
They were once used as an antidepressant but in higher doses than you would be prescribed for pain relief
I had been given Tramadol before which helped but unlike then(2008) it is now a controlled substance. Supposed to be a synthetic narcotic non addicting but I think they may now think differently. I don't want to take it again because coming off off it feels awful. Pat
Hello Jane, sorry to hear you are in pain. Can I just ask, have you been diagnosed with PMR, and if so when. Have you been prescribed any other drug throughout your time diagnosed with PMR. Christina
Jane74356
It won't help with the pain of PMR, but it will help you to sleep with little or no side effects.
Tramadol is very powerful and can knock you out for hours, I only tried one once and never again.
However, what I really want to know, is how much pred are you on, what dosage you started on, what are you on now and how fast have you been reducting.
Pred does not cure PMR (nothing does) and the aim is to find the dose at which you are most comfortable.
The only painkiller I found that worked was a tablespoon of brandy. I took it when the pain (on a scale of 1 to 10) was at 7 and it worked. Brandy was developed by Medieval Monks as a medicine and not as an alcoholic drink.
If you definately have PMR, you should be prescribed PREDNISOLONE. That is what I take in varying amounts according to pain levels. I have had PMR for 3yrs. I also take a stomach tablet daily, when I am on a higher dose of Pred. This prevents any upset stomach or ulcers.Its impotant to come down slowly off Pred, because of side effects. My GP allows me to self medicate to a degree now that I am used to controlling the pain.
I started on 15mg 3yrs ago, after blood tests confirmed PMR. At that point I was also given calcium suppliment.
Amitryptiline is used for nerve pain, often used in fibromyalgia and may help you sleep. It is unlikely to help with the PMR pain since there is no evidence that PMR pain has anything to do with nerve problems - and I mean nerve problems in the physiological sense not the psychological sense.
I really do wonder sometimes...
Hi Jane. I was given Amytriptyline to help my neck problems. I have cervical spondylosis, or wear and tear in the neck. This was triggering migraines which I'd never had in my life before. It's worked very well, mainly, I feel, because with one little pill I can sleep through the night without any drowsiness the next morning. I can't say it's helped my PMR pain but the good quality sleep is definitely helping my general health. I was a total insomniac before. Give it a try if it's been prescribed. They're non addictive my doctor says. Angela
Jane, yes, as Lodger commented, we really need more information about your PMR history to help us to answer any questions
As the others have said, Amitriptyline is for nerve pain, not the muscle pain caused by the inflammation of PMR.
The only painkillers I tried in my PMR pre-diagnosis days were Paracetamol, Ibuprofen and Tramadol. The first two were useless and Tramadol had such a scary effect on me that the first tablet proved to be the last - I would never take it again!
If you have been diagnosed with PMR, then the treatment you need is the steroid, Prednisolone. If you are, in fact, already taking Prednisolone but it isn't controlling your pain, then it probably means you are not on a sufficiently high dose of Pred to control the inflammation that is causing the pain.
Alanh
"I also take a stomach tablet daily, when I am on a higher dose of Pred. This prevents any upset stomach or ulcer"
Have you tried eating a 'live' (probiotic) yoghurt with your breakfast before taking Pred? It's a very good stomach liner and maintains the necessary good bacteria levels. I very quickly suffered bad side effects to my bowel/stomach from the PPI stomach protectors prescribed alongside the steroid's (Omeprazole and Lansoprazole) and was taken off them by my rheumy. I ate a 'live' yoghurt each day instead throughout my 5+ years on steroids, starting at 40mgs a day, and never had a day's trouble with my stomach.
I don't know much about brandy. Do you think any one would do? Any thoughts on country of origin, etc.?
Yes, I had these before I diagnosed PMR. Helped a little bit but made me sleepy in the day.
One you like the taste of - or dislike the taste of least if it isn't your thing!
Avoiding the PPI stomach tablets and using yoghurt also reduces the chances of developing osteoporosis!!!!!!
Yay! A real win, win goodie'!
Not Three Barrels.
Courvosier, Remy Martin and a while host of others.
Remy Martin for me if I win the Premium Bonds, although an Armagnac works pretty well too.
Hi Christina
Yes I have been diagnosed with PMR 3 months ago. No other drugs prescribed. Jane
Morning Jane, I do not wish to worry you but something is not right. Either you have been misdiagnosed or you have been diagnosed correctly and been given the incorrect medication.
pmr is an autoimmune condition whereby the immune system attacks its self.it manifests it self by causing inflammation of the large muscles and joints, namely the knees, hips, thighs, bottom, upper arms, shoulder joints and blades and the neck. Many sufferer cannot lift their arms. This inflamation in turn causes the most excruciating pain, to the point that you barely want to move. Blood samples are taken that very often reveal high ESR and or CRP levels. However, not all sufferers will have raised bloods. There is only one drug that can reduce the inflamation and by reducing the inflamation reduce the pain and that is prednisone. 15 mgs for 6 weeks, 12.5 mgs for 6 weeks then followed by 10 mgs for anything up to a year and by then patients begin a very very slow reduction of the medication. Many people think that when they take the medication they are cured because there is no longer any pain. This is not true. The autoimmune disease is simply controlled by the prednisone, and the condition will last for many years as it burns itself out.
you must return back to your GP and establish done facts. If you do have PMR then only prednisone will work and therefore must be prescribed for you fit I'm afraid many years. And if you do not have PMR then your Dr must investigate your pain etc and establish exactly what you do have wrong with you. But the drug have currently been prescribed is of no use for PMR.
also I suggest you look up PMR, even on this website and you will see for yourself what the condition is and how it's treated then when you visit your Dr you are well educated in the condition. Please go soon especially if you are in considerable pain. All the best christina
If it is PMR then amitryptiline will not help - your doctor is confusing fibromyalgia and polymyalgia rheumatica. Either get them to get themselves correct information or find another doctor.
If you follow this link
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/pmr-gca-and-other-website-addresses-35316
you will get further links to info which explains best practice for PMR. On the first link, the northeast PMRGCAUK support site, you can access and download the guidelines from the British Society of Rheumatologists. There is also a link to a paper from the Bristol rheumatology group aimed at GPs to help them diagnose and manage PMR. Your GP should not be offended by being asked to consider them. If they are - find another.
If you have PMR, the treatment is prednisolone - there is no other successful option as yet.