bloods

Hi Susanne 970 I was diagnosed by a rheumatologist just by explaining my symyoms. He told me I had PMR and put me on Pred 20mgs for three weeks. And a leaflet explaining what PMR is. During that time I had blood tests CTScan X-rays I suppose  we all get diagnosed differently. Hope you are doing good, it will be interesting  to known how others on this forum were diagnosed .  

Thank you Magaret i'm just scared that my bloods will come back normal and I will be dismissed - my syptoms are getting worse by the day - ive booked to see another dr tomorrow morning see what he says

I had a normal send rate and a slightly elevated C-reactive protein.  My symptoms were the main reason my doctor started treating me for PMR.  He put me on 15 mg of prednisone and I quickly felt better. That was two years ago. I am now down to 5 mg and pray that I can keep decreasing. Hang in there!

Suzanne,

     I have had PMR twice, three years apart, and both times all blood tests were normal. The first time it took almost six months for the Rheumatologist to diagnose PMR. The second time they were floundering around and I realized that the symtoms were the same as the first time. I went to another doctor and she had blood results that were slighly suggestive of an infection. She tried prednisone and the relief was dramatic and immediate. She diagnosed PMR and I am now seven months in and at 6 mg. I am back to the orignial Rheumatologist and he states that he has no idea what I have but if Prednisone works, then take pred and reduce slowly.

Hi Suzanne, If you have PMR symptoms and respond to Prednisone ( usually within hours but maximum a few days), you have PMR. Those are the only indicators ...many people on here are officially diagnosed and treated for PMR without elevated markers.

Hi, My bloods were normal, also.  It showed I had infections, though.  My PC diognosed me, started on 20, with an injection also, that day, in 5 hrs I was virtually pain free.  That was 2 1/2 years ago.  I then got GCA and had to go up to 60.  ( By this time I was going to a rheumy, and she learned a LOT with me)  I have gradually reduced to 2 1/2 mg every other day.  She wasn't as slow as the DS method, and at this time I am having quite a bit of groin, shoulder and neck pain.  Also on Methotrexate, and pain meds.  I have had other severe symptoms, not sure if or how related.  Bones are fragile, on something for that, too...but onward and upward.  But my active healthy life went to hell in a handbasket, rapidly.  I keep plugging along, trying to build up on my walking.  At one point, with back issues, I was told I would have to be on pain meds and use a walker the rest of my life, but, I have proved that wrong, so far.  Stairs not so good, but at least now, I am not crawling up and down them, like I had to do for a long time.  I try to be upbeat...sometimes hard, when I cannot walk like I used to.

Hi Suzzane, I started a similar discussion recently (see Blood marker-less diagnosis of PMR?

I am in the middle of things, I have to start a 2nd trial with pred (first was at too low a dose) and I also need to have the X-rays. Stiffness is terrible in the lower back, thighs and neck. No pain in the shoulders, though, although during a flare even the biceps, abs and pecs stiffen to the point of hurting badly at the insertions, I have also had spams that have sent me to the ER. Problem is this is a 10 year old condition (didn't know about PMR until recently), I am worried about the complications of a long, untreated PMR, including developing GCA.

Good luck with your treatment.

Depends what you call "officially" diagnosed. All except the rheumatologist I saw originally are happy that what I have is PMR and I have NEVER had an ESR or CRP out of normal range. 

There are plenty of medical papers that accept that about 20% of patients don't have raised blood inflammatory markers. 

Yes!