Hello everyone.
I'm 54 year old and man and have just been diagnosed with PMR. Been taking 30mg of prednisolone per day for 2 weeks and I dont feel a great deal better to be honest.
Briefly, I have had problems with my major joints for the last 5 years. Seen my GP who has been helpful who initially sent me to a podiatrist. Result insoles. Then to hospital for x rays on my knees. Result osteoarthritis in both knees cartilage damage to one, naproxen prescribed, the side effects of which are unpleasant. 2 years ago had Bursitis in my right elbow operated on just in time to walk my daughter down the aisle[thanks Dr. N]
Since then just been putting up with the pain until about 8 weeks ago. Felt dreadful, aches pains, thought I was coming down with flu and have been basically immobile since.
Sorry I know I said briefly. I would however, be grateful of any info advice etc.
Hi Tommo and welcome to the forum although I am sorry to hear of the problems you are experiencing.
Following the diagnosis of PMR and the prescribing of steroids you should expect to see about an 80% improvement in your symptoms within a few days at the most, sometimes even within 24 hours. However, on 30mgs you can sometimes feel a few other steroid-related symptoms such as feeling either hyper or depressed, tiredness or disorientation.
Have you had ESR and CRP blood tests and, if so, did they show raised inflammatory markers? If so, then it would be a good idea to get another blood test now to check whether the inflammation has been reduced by the steroids. If not and you still don't feel any improvement in your pain and stiffness levels, then the diagnosis should be re-examined. There is a condition called Fibromyalgia which produces similar symptoms to PMR but particularly causes joint pain against pressure and which does not respond to steroids.
Very best wishes, but do come back to this forum and let us know how you get on and with any queries as there is always someone here who has experienced something or other and will be able to reassure you.
MrsO
Hello Tommo and welcome,
You say you have been diagnosed with PMR but feel little better on 30mg of prednisolone after 2 weeks. Frankly, I would be querying that diagnosis of PMR. Many rheumatologists regard a rapid response to such a dose as the confirmation of the diagnosis of PMR and the absence of such an improvement within a couple of weeks indicates that further testing to rule out other possible diseases should be done. There are several things that have very similar symptoms and would not respond to steroids but treatment with steroids would be expected to give a considerable improvement with PMR in the time you have been taking it.
I'm sure MrsK will pop up and respond to you and I'm ashamed to say I still can't remember the link to her NE England support group site (where you will find diagnosis guidelines) without looking it up! She is rather busy tonight and tomorrow launching the group in Newcastle so be patient! There are many forms of arthritis and rheumatism and a whole series of autoimmune diseases with overlapping symptoms so it is confusing not only for us as patients but also for the doctors so more than one opinion is not an unreasonable expectation if you don't feel you have improved at all or only very little.
Good luck and keep in touch,
EileenH
Hi Tommo,
Welcome to the forum. As MrsO and Eilleen said, if you do in fact have PMR, usually the symptoms lessen considerably in a few days with treatment of Prednisone (or Prednisolone). In fact, when it does improve, it reinforces the diagnosis of PMR.
I was diagnosed 2 months ago and remember the Dr. (Rheumy) ordering a few blood tests... ESR (or Sed rate), CRP, one for anemia and another to rule out RA. He said he wouldn't know for sure what I had until the blood results came back. But said if it was PMR - I should feel considerably better in a few days. After 2 days I was 50%. After one week, I was 90% better! I was on 20mg for the first month or so.
Here's a link worth reading:
https://patient.info/health/Polymyalgia-Rheumatica.htm
Thanks Mrs O, EileenH and RickF.
It's very good of you to respond.
I'm going to take onboard your comments .
Been to the docs again today been given more steroids until the consultant can write to my GP . He now wants to change my medication.
Apparently this may take a week or two. Ah well.
Going away with my wife for a few days rest.
I'll let you know how I get on with the new meds.
THANKS AGAIN.
Tommo 
Tommo
British Society of Rheumatologists published June 2009 diagnostic procedures for both PMR and GCA.
They are on the BSR website.
A quicker link, is www.pmr-gca-northeast.org.uk under useful information. Download and read.
Sorry for the short answer - been busy and now need me time.