Can it still be PMR even if blood tests come back as normal?
Posted , 11 users are following.
Have been suffering severe muscle pain for a number of months but just put it down to getting older am almost 51 and spending too many nights sleeping on daughters sofa following the arrival of my
grand daughter 14 wks early. Felt really tired sleep pattern appalling as shoulders and hips very
painful thought I would feel better once I broke up for summer hols but within days all symptoms
were a thousand times worse. Saw GP who was very understanding and immediately thought it was
Likely to be PMR. Sent for blood tests but all came back negative and pain getting worse. Sent for
more bloods as GP still sure it's PMR results also negative. GP has discussed with college who is
reluctant to start me on any meds so now referring me to a specialist having read up on PMR I think the GP maybe right but why would blood be normal don't want to take steroids unless needed but so want my life back and to be without this pain. Any advice would be so much appreciated. Thank you
0 likes, 33 replies
mrs_k
Posted
Let us hope that it is the Vit D deficiency that is causing the problem. The Vit D test is an exclusion test in the diagnosis of PMR. If your level is brought back up quickly, I was given 20,000 units, twice a day for one months and then a booster of 20,000 units for 5 days. The aches and pains subsided.
Bobski, have you followed thi links of the 'pinned' section of PMR, it not, do so and then you can read the British Society of Rheumatologists Guidelines on the Diganosis and Treatment for PMR. If not, just google BSR website or the NHS website.
mrs_k
Posted
Just noticed you asked
Can it still be PMR even if blood tests come back as normal?
The answer is yes, but read the BSR guidelines, some people's markers are never raised. A short dose of 15mg-20mg, when everything else has been excluded, and it works, then it is PMR.
MrsO-UK_Surrey
Posted
Good on the GP for doing the Vit D test - a good test of exclusion for PMR as low levels of Vit D are known to cause pain. It will be wonderful if the supplement proves to be the answer as it certainly did in the case of mrs k. I do hope the rheumatology appointment comes through quickly - do come back and let us know how you get on.
MrsO