Am so lost with this
Posted , 10 users are following.
I have reached 9mg/10mg on slow reduction and appear to have woken my adrenals! Having effects that go straight to my bladder regularly throughout day and night with a feeling of fear. not pleasant! Last time this happened I ended up in resus! CRP on blood test is up to 14 and GP says to stay on current dose. Pain in upper arms, neck, jaw,head, hips buttocks and thighs. GCA/PMR diagnosed Feb 2014. Recent rheumi appointment he said atypical PMR and not GCA.
1 like, 22 replies
EileenH Whisper2003
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Someone else was complaining of bladder problems today - both PMR and pred will do that which is a bit of a pain.
Hope you feel better soon.
Whisper2003 EileenH
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EileenH Whisper2003
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The pain may be similar, the cause is presumably different. Jaw claudication is caused by a lack of blood supply to the jaw. TMJ pain is more a mechanical problem I think.
A New Zealand guide says: "Pain while chewing and the presence of jaw claudication strongly indicates giant cell arteritis. Distinguishing between jaw pain from other causes (such as temporomandibular joint dysfunction) and true jaw claudication is important – the pain in jaw claudication is a cramping pain occurring after prolonged chewing or talking."
whereas "The three cardinal symptoms of TMJ disorders are: facial pain, restricted jaw function and joint noise." which I suspect are there whether you are chewing or not.
But reading the stuff I found - there is nothing that is obvious except TMJ occurs in younger patients. It appears too that it depends who is examining you which conclusion is come too!
What is fairly basic I suspect is that if the pain disappears very quickly with high pred dosage it is probably GCA, especially if it returns when you reduce the dose far enough. But even that is probably not certain.
Sorry.
Whisper2003 EileenH
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EileenH Whisper2003
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Whisper2003 EileenH
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EileenH Whisper2003
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Google "British association of oral and maxillofacial surgeons" which will explain it rather better than I can here. I'd trust them on jaw stuff rather more than the average GP and/or rheumy!!!
It is mind-boggling just how much pain a bad bite due to a tooth in the wrong place can cause and how easy it can be to sort it out - if you know wha tyouare doing. It doesn't mean they do heroic surgery (though they can). They just know more.
debbie27473 Whisper2003
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EileenH debbie27473
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To some extent their attitude is quite right - what we call PMR is only a symptom and is common to a whole range of underlying causes. There is pred-responsive PMR and non-pre-responsive sorts. What annoys me is the refusal to hear what you say about response to pred and allowing pred to be used to provide a decent quality of life in the absence of evidence of any of the other causes.
panamabob Whisper2003
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Interesting the bladder issue.I referred to it earlier re another discussion.I wonder whwther pred could be causing my very frequent trips to the loo.I was putting it down to age but my entire immune system seems to be shot and was wondering if frequent urination is common but unmentioned by the regulars and maybe new contributors.I have Diabetes,Glaucoma,Thyroid deficiency, Hiatus Hernia,the start ofa hernia in groin, and severe hearing loss.Then there is the incontinency and not to forget PMR.Immune system must all be connected somehow and when it starts to collapse the whole flippin deck of cards goes to hell.Oh and I forgot Sick Sinus syndrome which triggered insertion of Pacemaker.
EileenH panamabob
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As I said above, bladder problems can be due to pred (and what the doctors will usually say) but PMR itself can cause it too. I mentioned it to a research consultant who'd never come across it - but then admitted that now she knew and asked about it loads of patients said yes!
It could be a urinary tract infection so ask your practice to check - you may NOT get the usual pain because the pred soothes that down to an less noticeable level. If not, the most likely cause is interstitial cystitis which the experts will tell you is difficult to manage (gee, thanks!). There are drugs that can sometimes help. For me by far the best effect was achieved by having a urethral dilatation - but whether that is an option for men I have no idea. Apparently certain foods can trigger it - so a diary might be a pointer there.
But as someone else said - this being older sucks and it isn't for the faint hearted!
groovy_chic panamabob
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I to am going regular day and night since I have been on pred. I am only 40 so in my case it is most certainly not due to age and it only started when I was put on pred in march of this year. Also once I feel I need to empty my bladder I can not hang on for long. I used to be able to wait hours if I had to . Not anymore I am sad to say
Whisper2003 panamabob
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EileenH Whisper2003
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MrsO-UK_Surrey panamabob
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Dinah54 EileenH
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Mrs.Mac-Canada groovy_chic
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Be well and Happy Thanksgiving to all you Americans out there!!
erika59785 Mrs.Mac-Canada
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