Finally a diagnosis
Posted , 9 users are following.
I haven't been on this PMR website for a long time. But it has taken a PCP, Endocrinologist, ' Orthopaedics, Nueurologist and finally a new Rheumatologist to give me a diagnosis of PMR. I've had X-rays , numerous blood tests and of course an mri of my torn rotator cuff to come to this conclusion! The torn rotator cuff was what started the whole stiff painful body aches. My rheumatologist said that it wasn't unusual for something like the cuff tear to trigger it, I am on only 10 mgs of prednisone right now and it has helped. Instead of my usual dancing type aroebics I now do a stretch type exercise that I bought on DVDs. It seems to help , I hope I continue to feel better. I wish the same to the rest of you who have this painful condition!
0 likes, 8 replies
Bert5560
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Anhaga Bert5560
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Danrower Bert5560
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@ 53 years old (12 years ago), fully torn rotator cuff precipitates PMR , never diagnosed, and orthos did both shoulders and a knee to operate me out of PMR. Only one shoulder needed to be done. When in there, he said, gosh, a lot of inflammation!
PMR went into remission as I healed from the surgeries.
12 years later, @ 64 years old, surprise divorce, 8 weeks later, Bam, full blown PMR. After 8 weeks of misdiagnosis, Started on pred.
I postulate that VERY frequently, PMR is precipitated by physical or mental stress. I have had both awaken the beast, 12 years apart.
Consequently, I avoid major stress makers.....like marriage.
Good luck Bert.
IssyR Bert5560
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Reading your comments it sounds like there was an 'event' that triggered the PMR...i didn't know this...i had pneumonia 3mnths before this all started, i'd had to have a rib resected so as they had access to clear out an empyema so quite a big op...would that be a trigger?? I've been on pred since Sept '14, i've managed down to 7mgs pred but when i've tried to go to 6mg i am in a lot of pain...7mg i'm a bit achey but manageable. My doctor has never mentioned referring me to anyone and only just prescribed alendronic acid last week. He's never tested my blood sugar or BP it worries me a bit after reading a lot of the posts on here. I live in Scotland so it's the GP (General practitioner) i see and just worry he might be a bit too general....anyway glad you finally got a diagnosis xxxx
FlipDover_Aust IssyR
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EileenH IssyR
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You should have been sent for a dexascan before being handed alendronic acid - since the downsides of it are now beginning to be appreciated and it should only be given for a maximum of 5 years - I didn't need it at the start, after 3 years on pred at above 10mg most of the time my dexascan readings hadn't changed. Obviously I didn't need it - I'd only taken 4 tablets before questioning it.
I imagine that even in the UK a pharmacy can check your BP for you and probably get a better reading than when you are a bit uptight at the surgery!
As for the triggers - PMR is a disorder of the immune system where it goes into overdrive, being unable to recognise your own body as "self" and so it attacks it by mistake, damaging tissues and causing the inflammation which leads to pain and stiffness. Stress is well known to have an effect on the immune system and it doesn't matter whether it is mental or physical stress and physical stress can be due to injury or infection and also overdoing things.
There isn't one thing that can be identified - it is known that people with Scandinavian genes have a higher rate of developing PMR and it is very unusual in black populations - though NOT unknown. Busy active people do seem to be badly affected - but is that because we notice it more when we are prevented from our normal way of life? But in the end an event of some sort overloads the immune system and causes it to crash - it doesn't have to be PMR, there are all sorts of autoimmune disorders and which label you get depends on the symptoms you display. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Type 1 diabetes are all autoimmune disorders that you will recognise the names of - but there are a lot.
EileenH IssyR
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pauline36422 Bert5560
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