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Could this be PMR?

Posted , 12 users are following.

Guest
Guest

Hello everyone,

I'm hoping to find an answer to my symptoms for I think I have PMR and I thought this would be a good place to try to find out. Over a year ago now I woke up with a stiff and achy neck, shoulder and between shoulder blades. After several doctors visits I eventually got x rays and a rheumatologist said I had early OA in my neck and spine. I stared physio but I stopped because it was making me giddy. I've had ECG, electrocardiogram, 24 hour heart monitor, heart related bloods, all OK.

However, my neck aches are still there and more recently I have aches in both shoulders. I get tired easily, feel woozy sometimes especially with head movements, painful knees, feet, wrists, and sometimes hips. I have tinnitus, headaches also since diagnosis. Recently I suggested PMR to my GP, he thinks my symptoms are OA related. A few months ago my blood showed raised inflammation but more recently my bloods show abnormal or raised plasma viscosity which I have to see him about. I take paracetamol and aspirin with caffeine for pain, the aspirin could be causing my tinnitus. Does this sound like PMR?

If you think not then please don't reply because I am a terrible worrier. I take bendroflumethiazide 2.5mg for border line BP but they do help to prevent migraines. I also take Citalopram 10mg for anxiety.

Thank you for reading.

1 like, 50 replies

50 Replies

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  • Rimmy
    Rimmy Guest

    Posted

    Hello

    Worrying will certainly not help regardless of what your eventual diagnosis is - but easier said than done I know. If you have PMR and/or GCA  try not to be too concerned if you have to take steroids as they work very effectively and you will feel much better very soon. Although people on this forum will talk about some negative aspects -  not everyone experiences bad side effects and often these are only temporary. I do not have the link but recent research says that at the lower (PMR) levels side effects are not substantial at all.  

    I hope you get a diagnosis promptly however as if you have GCA - as others have said - you need to be concerned about your vision and the impact on your arteries generally - so probably worth seeing someone sooner rather than later if you possibly can.

    Best wishes

    • Guest
      Guest Rimmy

      Posted

      Thanks for your post and your reassurance Rimmy. I might try to get an earlier appointment. So fed up with this.

      Best Wishes

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hi everyone,

    I managed to get an earlier appointment today but am nowhere nearer to finding a diagnosis other than OA. My head has been pounding all day, usual aches and pains and thought of waiting another week was stressing me out. My GP doesn't seem to think it is PMR, he said my PV was only slightly raised and if it was PMR I wouldn't be able to raise my arms and I'd have hip pain. I did explain and demonstrate that I was having trouble raising my left arm and I do sometimes get hip pain. Apparently knee pain doesn't count either. He also said I had no RA. On my suggestion of trying pred for a week this was a definite No No. I have to have a repeat blood test In two weeks and if my PV is still raised he will refer me to a rhuematologist, again. So, it seems I will have to put up with my neck, shoulders, arms, knees, wrists, foot, jaw pain, tinnitus, ear fullness, headaches, muzziness, giddiness, tiredness, weird eyes, general malaise feelings and hope that I will wake up one morning and they will all be gone, or I will be, LOL.

    In fairness to him, I have been waiting for an ENT appointment for my tinnitus, it's been months, I almost forgot.

    Thank you everyone for your help and support and excellent advice, I wish you all the very best. You'll probably hear from me again.

    Kind regards ?😢

    • lilian05079
      lilian05079 Guest

      Posted

      Hi Lina3x

      Did you ask about your B12 blood test...because deficiency presents with dizziness, muzzy head,tiredness, giddiness and generally feeling washed out. Don't despair 2 weeks will fly by..but to you it will seem like an eternity i expect! Hang on in there and if you feel the need, go to out of hours surgery or A&E. My sincere best wishes Lina3x..will be thinking of you..keep posting...

    • Guest
      Guest lilian05079

      Posted

      Hi lilian,

      Yes I did and he said although it is not included in a routine blood test, there would be indications of any deficiencies in my other blood results which were all perfectly normal.

      Thank you for your help and advice, really appreciate it.

    • lilian05079
      lilian05079 Guest

      Posted

      Hi Lina3x

      That's good news Lina3x.

      I do hope your ENT goes well and you get a firm diagnosis for your symptoms...very, very best wishes to you Lina3x.

  • Anhaga
    Anhaga Guest

    Posted

    just remember, if your vision troubles you more, get to an emergency department, armed with a list of all the symptoms you have.  

    I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis about thirty years ago, had probably had it earlier.  The symptoms at the time did include recurring stiff neck, but the main thing, which I asked my doctor about, were enlarged and stiff finger joints.  I have never at any time had the roster of symptoms you've been describing, not until PMR struck probably about three and a half years ago.  OA, by the way, is fairly widespread in my body and is visible in x-rays.  

    Just one other thing, have you checked the possible side effects of the medications you are on?  

    • Guest
      Guest Anhaga

      Posted

      Hi Anhaga,

      I've been on the meds I mentioned for years. They never used to give me any problems. The only painkillers I take are anadin extra. That could explain the tinnitus. The other day I felt quite dizzy after taking two anadi n extra but usually I am ok with them. I did try Cinnarizine for a short while for the dizziness but they made me sleepy and lethargic. I've tried ibuprofen and co-codamol but they knock me out, paracetamol makes me nauceous.

      Thank you for your help

      Regards

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hi,

    I looked up TM J and dizziness and I couldn't believe what I read. I mentioned about my lower jaw clicking and crunching and my dentist recorded it in my notes. Well, it seems that all the symptoms I have could be because of this. It causes tinnitus, migraine headaches, dizziness, neck and shoulder pain, balance issues and more. Perhaps my ENT appointment will be valuable after all.

    So excited about this just had to share.

    Regards all

    • lilian05079
      lilian05079 Guest

      Posted

      Hi Lina3x

      I am sooo happy with you...this is very hopeful it must have lifted your spirits....hope your ENT appt., goes well..will be thinking of you....keep posting....my very best wishes to you Lina3x..very good news!!....

    • Anhaga
      Anhaga Guest

      Posted

      Fingers crossed!  Either way it'll be good to get the right diagnosis.  Do let us know how it goes, and good luck!

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hi Linda, Anhaga,

    Thank you both, I am keeping my fingers crossed and I will keep in touch. Wishing you well and everyone else on this thread

    Kind regards,

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