im 37 years old and the doctor is almost positive i have pmr, various blood tests have come back inconclusive, but tests such as getting off a chair without my hands, i failed. i have being in agony for weeks, i am walking like a 90yr old. i have a 4 year old boy and wonder is this now my life??. my doctor have faxed rheumatology for an urgent appointment as this really needs to get sorted, my face first thing on a morning is twice the size, i have to wear shades everywhere i go, my right arm feels so weak and heavy, along with the pain and ching in my legs and lower back. i just want to get back to work and feel normal again. is this possible, with steriods will they help me regain my life. ???
after research this is something that effects women in there sixties not thirties, any help would be appreciated. x
Hello Lienkart
I'm sorry you are suffering so, I thought myself too young for this disease when I was diagnosed at 49, last May. If you have got PMR then the disease usually burns itself out in about 2 years - it's not something you have for life. Steroids should give you back your life, they take care of the symptoms, although you may have to pace yourself and be wary of over doing things. The trouble with PMR is that it appears to vary greatly from person to person.
There are people on this site who are far more exprerienced than I and I expect someone else will be along to provide you with more information shortly. I do hope you feel better soon.
Jak
Your symptons dont seem typical of the ones I have heard of When I had polymyalgia the first time I had noticed a general muscle stiffenng first thing in the morning also after I had been sitting for a long time I was unalbe to mount my horse without a mountain block and then it started to escalate into extreme pain in trying to get up bend knees shoulder and pelvic pain which are classic symptons I also realised that I had much less energy than normal I actually paid to see a rheumatologist privately as my blood results werent classic my CRP was the highest reading The results with steroids were within 48 to 72 hours I felt pain free !! Amazing !! 2 years on steroids and I was OK again 3 years on it reoccurred I had really overdone it physically last year and blame myself a bit It could be a lot of illnesses I hadnt heard of face swelling but Im sure a Rheumatologist will know Yes 37 does seem young I was 54 when I had it first but I think it affects a lot of people under 60 Hope you get something sorted out soon Read as much as you can on the forum
Hello LienKart
So sorry to hear about your suffering and at such a young age. If the blood tests came back normal then perhaps it may not be PMR although I have read on this website of a small percentage of people who can have normal results with PMR.
With regard to your facial swelling, that is a symptom I developed when diagnosed with Giant Cell Arteritis together with my underlying PMR. Have you perhaps taken any new drugs lately as my GCA developed when switched to an Ace Inhibitor for blood pressure? Jaw pain and eye problems are other symptom of GCA.
Hopefully, you will get a diagnosis and treatment soon to alleviate your pain and if it does turn out to be PMR and not just a spinal problem for instance, the steroids will give you relief in a few days. Good luck.
MrsO