Hi, I have just been diagnosed with PMR and just taken my 3rd day of 15mg steroid. Can anyone tell me how long before they start working?
Hi and welcome to the club (not!). I started on a much higher dose and it worked in the first day - bu from what others say they've had a significant (70%) improvement in the first day or two on 15mg.
If you don't get any improvement it would appear that it's not PMR and you'll need to get back to your Dr ASAP.
I am feeling exactly the same, I have another appointment next Monday to see GP for a follow up. The pains I have started about two weeks ago and on my first visit to GP I got bloods taken, I went back a few days later and got told my levels were a bit raised and it was PMR I am 48. Everything has happened so fast I'm a bit overhwelmed.
I competely understand - I went into shock at diagnosis - and I had no real understanding of what was coming and how long it was going to last (that's the depressing bit).
If you've had no improvement it won't be PMR. Can you get back in to see the Dr any earlier?
I might be able to get an appointment. I have been getting such a wide range of symptoms the last week that I don't know if it's all connected or not. I am on my second week off work too whch is adding extra stress.
Firstly, STOP STRESSING ABOUT WORK! :-)
You are sick, there's nothing you can do about that, so just let that guilt go.....
So, tell me (us) what symptoms you have.......
Hi Mags, you will come to terms with PMR if that is what you have. I started on 20mg of steroid and couldn't believe how these magic pills could take away so much pain, within a couple of hours and then after the 3rd day I marvelled at the absence of pain. I had mobility back (I was one step away from a wheelchair). Then I started to feel better and did a bit of catch up in the house. BIG MISTAKE, I felt so weak and sick, so watch out for that one. It could be that you need to increase your dose. I hope you get it sorted. All the best and let us know how you get on. Regards Pat
One of the classic signs of PMR is rapid improvement of the symptoms of pain/stiffness in the shoulders and hip/thigh areas within 48 hrs of starting a steroid. If that is not the case, the physician will start looking in other directions for answers. PMR does not always appear with the classical findings, however.
Pain across my back between my shoulders, radiating down arms, under arms, ebows, wrists and hands although not all the time. My arms feel heavy and it is uncomfortable sitting upright for too log. I also have discomfort high up across my chest. I keep getting chills where I sit and shiver vigorously for a little while but have no temperature. I get dizzy turns. Concentration is bad and keep forgetting what I'm away to say or the words. Wake up through the night with a jolt, I usually sleep well. Overall feel unwell and miserable. Thanks for taking the time to talk btw 
Hey, no problem :-)
Everyone has differerent symptoms, and yours do sound like it *could* be PMR. Any pain in the hips/back/thighs?
Can you lift your elbows up to the sides to above your head?
I agree that the dose might need to be increased, especially in these early days.
I don't have any problem with movement at all, I get niggles in my hip muscles but nothing really. My arms get particularly heavy and achy when drying my hair for example. I went for a therapeutic massage at the weekend before I got my diagnosis and must say that was really painful, the muscles in my back an neck were very sore to touch. On reading other posts on here though i don't think I have such painful symptoms as some other people.
I take my 4th dose tomorrow so fingers crossed I see some improvement.
In my case the miracle happened in fifteen and a half hours. It was incredible. If nothing has happened it probably is not PMR. What blood tests did you have? It could be fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis or vitamin D deficiency or something else. One test to see if it is PMR is to put someone on vit C for a week, steroids for a week and then vit C for a week and check the results. If the steroids do not work PMR is discounted..
Thank you. It's good to hear you got so much relief so quickly.
I aways thought housework was bad for you (he he)!!
Hmm, who knows. PMR is a slippery beast to diagnose.
One of the biggest things I found is that I couldn't roll over in bed, or get out of the car or a chair. I was completely fatigued - it felt like I was drugged half the time.
I couldn't hang out the washing - I certainly couldn't have blow dried my hair..... Cripes, it's all coming back to me now - I'd forgotten how bad it was without prednisone!
My GP didn't say, she just said she was testing for a condition that caused hip and shoulder pain. when i went back she saaid my levels were a little bit raised and that it was PMR and started me on steroids. I originally thought I might have arthritis as both my mum and gran had it and were diagnosed in their lte 40's. My mum has osteo and rheumatoid arthritis.
In my case the pain was definitely in the muscles, not the joints, as it would be for RA.
I find it extremely hard to explain how it feels to 'hurt all over' lol
Oh sounds bad, I am tired but usually ahve a busy lifestyle so that could explain that. i have no problems moving around at all, I maybe have a mild case....
Personally I hope you don't have it at all!
I'm a very active 51 year old, working full time, and this i/was a real blow to me.