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Consultant and GP don't agree with diagnosis!!!

Posted , 13 users are following.

adette01750
adette01750

I posted the other day that I have been ill for some time, 2+ years, and the relief GP actually diagnosed PMR just over 2 weeks ago, after 4 days of prednisolone 20 mg I had 80% relief plus of pain and she upped my dose to 30mg and I had my already arranged rheumatology appt this week, he says it isn't PMR as I'm 53 years of age and my ESR is 36  and was quite cross with the situation. On Friday he told me to reduce my dose immediately to 25 mg and see the GP as planned Wednesday.

Since Friday I have got the pains creeping back in across the shoulders the skin burning sensation I used to have, can anyone relate to this situation please.

I was elated in a way that the GP had helped my pain as I find working with it soooo difficult 12 hour shifts with no breaks most of the time 2  a week, even pacing myself if possible through them flattens me for days at home, that I can't do anything on my time off. Now I feel despondent again as I have pain on this reduction and the GP is leaving in August. 

Has anyone any situations they know of similar, and what should I do? 

0 likes, 28 replies

28 Replies

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  • gillian_25383
    gillian_25383 adette01750

    Posted

    I must have been very lucky.I have had three rheumatologist all at the same hospital and was diagnosed with PMR aged 45.Now 58 and it is now a combination of late onset RA,PMR and osteoarthritis in my neck.

    Hope you either get a new rheumatologist or show them this site so they realise PMR does strike younger people

    • adette01750
      adette01750 gillian_25383

      Posted

      Thank you, I thought I had read others my age has been diagnosed PMR.

      Time will tell, you take care.

  • ron25099
    ron25099 adette01750

    Posted

    It's clear you need to find a different rheumatoligist, even if you need to travel a couple hours or so. Ask your GP for a referral. I rely more on my GP's knowledge than my "rheumy." The latter told me he doesn't think my fatigue and dizziness has antthing to do with my PMR. I told him of the many experts on this list. Keep in mind you're not simply dealing with the patients on here, but all the doctors who are treating them and what they do.

    • adette01750
      adette01750 ron25099

      Posted

      Good point, never thought of it that way.

      I will bide my time see how things go and maybe get another opinion.

      Thank you

  • FlipDover_Aust
    FlipDover_Aust adette01750

    Posted

    My ESR has never been 'high', and I was only 51 when diagnosed.

    You mention in your other post the rhuemy has diagnosed you with Sjoregens sydrome - do you have any other syptoms of it which would distinguish it from PMR?

    • EileenH
      EileenH FlipDover_Aust

      Posted

      True Sjogrens can diagnosed by finding an antibody in the blood (in 60% of patients) - there is also sicca syndrome which is almost the same in symptoms but no antibody. Otherwise - "PMR" appears as a symptom of Sjogrens. I don't know though whether pred works on it too - it isn't used in the treatment of Sjogrens per se i don't think.

    • adette01750
      adette01750 FlipDover_Aust

      Posted

      I have shoulder hip back pain all the sjrograns syndrome traits apart from renal pain. Facial chloasma rash, fatigue headaches jaw/ cheek pain, total stiffness in spine. Most went on prednisolone just shoulder pains come and go now on the 5mg reduction to 25mg everything went on the 30 mg.

      just done a 13 hour shift no pain, will see how I am tomorrow. 

    • FlipDover_Aust
      FlipDover_Aust adette01750

      Posted

      I can see why you are confused - but as Eileen mentions elsewhere - there is a test that can be done to confirm Sjogrens - with a fair degree of accuracy - there isn't one for PMR.

  • Kipppers7
    Kipppers7 adette01750

    Posted

    I am glad the responses below have given you some ideas for doctors.  If it were me and you felt better on the Prednisone I would find a another Rehmatologist and get a second opinion.  Age 53 is an age that PMR is often the age it starts.  It did with me and also I was diagonosed with FM at the same time.  I take 30 mg of Cymbalta and wow did my pain disappear.  Just started it in April and within days I felt so much better.  It is used for FM and PAD and depression but for depression one would be on 120mg to feel better mood wise.  Hope you get a second opinion.  Take care
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