I was diagnoised 2ys ago w/Sjogerns. Just told am being treated for PMR. Was shocked. Only on 3mg daily Predisone. Was getting prepared to go to Assisted Living. Now I know th Pain. I own the pain. I will not dwell on the pain. Just because the test are Normal does not mean you do not PMR. Out of the mouth of Rheumatologist. Am also under Pain Management for other issues. I am NOT Dying. This too, will pass,,,That is, the today pain......
Charlene, the pain can be horrible and almost unbearable. I was in a similar situation before Christmas when I could hardly walk and I did consider Assisted Living. When my children came for the holidays they talked me out of it. My GP put me on 40 mg of Prednisone which made my life livable again. I am still on 20 mg with a slow taper of 1 mg a month.
Rheumatologists (like mine) almost never want to agree that it is an PMR issue when it comes to read the tests. They do not listen well to the symptoms.
3 mg is way too low when you are in such pain.
I am a newbie and would not be able to advise. Eileen is our Medical Advisor and she is very caring. She will inform you in a few hours. Hope, you can get some rest. Erika
Where are you? Are you in the USA?
erika, yes USA Los Angeles. Not sure i am in right box to reply. Anyway, am calling my DOC on AM to increase the Predisone, I know h only goes by tests for inflamation level whether to inccrease or not. Has to do something.
Hi Charlene,
These tests are not reliable. You probably need 10 or 20 mg for such pain. It is so typical of Rheumatologists to be so hesitant. A GP would almost be more helpful. Do you have one?
I live close to Portland, Oregon. I am very familiar with LA. I lived in San Clemente and San Luis Obispo, Ca.
This forum is wonderful with caring fellow sufferers. Hope, you can get a good night rest. Take care, Erika
Hi Charlene; yes I agree with Erika...try and go back through previous blogs re PMR, and as Erika says, Eileen is Very knowledgeable re this condition....if/when you find her inputs, print them out, read/research all that you can re PMR, and then talk to GP/Rhuemy again, and show/tell them what you have found....you need to look after your body, and live in it...so do all you can....and if no luck with present docs, keep looking like I did, until you find someone who knows, understands you (& I'm sure you will find that doc somewhere, as they are there). From what I have previously read, 20mgs of Prednisone is not very much at all for treating the onset/flare-up of PMR ????? keep in touch and let us know how you get on.....Bron
3mg/day is far too low, it will do nothing - or do you mean you are on 3 tablets a day (which are 5mg ones)? The starting dose is 15mg - and that is what you need for PMR, 10mg MIGHT be enough if you are lucky. But 3mg is in our dreams in a couple of years time!!
What dosage did you start on and when, and are you following any reduction plan? More resourses can be found here https://patient.info/forums/discuss/pmr-gca-website-addresses-and-resources-35316
I can feel your pain through your writing. I really hope they up your dose of prednisone and you get relief of some of this.