Finally diagnosed with PMR recently. It started in February this year with just pains in my buttock area, as if I had pulled a muscle. Within a week I was completely stiff in buttocks, back, shoulders and neck and when I tried to move about the pain was excruciating. I went back and forth to my GP who palmed me off with Pain Killers etc. Did not even take any blood tests at first. Eventually after a number of visits they decided to do blood tests. The results showed that the Inflammation levels were 78; the pain was therefore not all in my mind! Still only gave me anti-inflammatories. One night the stiffness got so bad I could hardly move without crying in pain, daughter took me to hospital. It was in the hospital they gave me Steriods and put me on a course of 40mg per day for 8 days. The effect was miraculous the pain completely went. I was referred to Rheumatologist. He said I it was not PMR I was much tto young, being only 49 years old. Unfortunately after examination and blood tests, he decided that unlikely as it originally felt it was, I did have PMR. I am now on 15 mg per day of steriods, have put on weight and seem to have the negative side effects of feeling depressed. They tried recently to reduce the steriods by 2.50 mg unfortunately the PMR flared up again and they had to increase the steriods again. I feel tired and down a great deal. Do others have this side effect? I also get a lot of headaches. I hate taking the steriods, even though without them I would virtually be unable to move. Does anyone have any idea what brings this illness on? I have had quite a stressful life in one way or another and I wonder if this triggered the illness? Thanks for letting me moan Audrey x
I have had polymyalgia for 5 1/2 year and havebeen on steroids for 2 years. My PMR has flared up again although I have been having episodes of feeling quite ill and unable to look at food.
My GP did not do regular ESR tests which would have shown this up much earlier.
My concern for you is the headaches which you must treat as urgent as complication of PMR is giant cell arteritis (swelling of the arteries of the eyes which can cause blindness. Please do get this investigated. I feel very strongly about this.
Good luck
Deirdre
I second that advice given, do have the headaches investigated as they are a symptom of GCA I know because I was diagnosed after a long time (8 months) before I was treated. The weight increase is a worry but little can be done except watching what you eat, even then I put on 21 lbs. the depression and mood swings should improve on reduction of steroids but do not hurry it takes time I have found this web sight a great comfort as you become aware there are people out here who understand what you are suffering ,and wish you a speedy recovery and the very best for the future...Crawf
I have also recently been diagnosed with PMR. I'm just forty eight so would appear too young for the condition. However, after a week on 30mg Prednisolone I felt wonderful again, able to get out of bed and climb stairs without grunting! I've managed gradually to get dose down to 17.5mg but feel the symptoms are beginning to return.
It's been hard as Im diabetic as well so my blood sugars have been really difficult to control, especially as I'm constantly hungry. I'm hypothyroid as well which is not helping the weight again on steroids but at least I can move!