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Followed up pain online

Posted , 11 users are following.

mary11774
mary11774

hi, I haven't been to my GP yet as I hate going to the doctors but I feel I now need to after reading all of your letters.  My pain started probably 12 months ago with a deep pain in my left upper arm on moving when I woke and easing during the day. Could not raise it above shoulder level. I now have aches and the same pains in both upper arms and neck muscles and across my shoulder blades, again easing during the day and increasing again in the evening. Strangely I don't know if it is depression but I am beginning to get so bored and although I do a lot of craftwork and painting, I just can't be bothered. I am also weepy. I don't like moaning but I feel better by just discussing it.

Mary

2 likes, 18 replies

18 Replies

  • judytal
    judytal mary11774

    Posted

    Mary, go check it out with MD.  Be your own advocate...  
  • tina-uk_cwall
    tina-uk_cwall mary11774

    Posted

    Mary, you are quite right, whatever you have wrong with you, you must go and see a Dr. Hopefully the very first thing they'll do is a full blood test. PMR is diagnosed by a process of elimination. Hopefully, if your blood reveals inflammation that will help them to diagnose you. But all that said, get along to them without delay. Keep us abreast of developments, regards, christina 
  • mary68968
    mary68968 mary11774

    Posted

    Sounds like the symptoms, but of course you should see your doctor.  I would definitely make an appointment & request some blood work done as well.  It should give some hints as to what the problem is.
  • HOTpicks99
    HOTpicks99 mary11774

    Posted

    Hi theres no harm in going to see doctor for a check up and to talk to him about being depressed maybe he can give u something to help you i was depressed still am but im on anti depressents they help cos i suffer from oesteoporosis and fibromyglia so i know about painsad t
  • MrsO-UK_Surrey
    MrsO-UK_Surrey mary11774

    Posted

    Mary, none of us likes going to the Dr but if you have inflammation coursing through your body and causing pain for whatever reason, you really need to have it investigated and treated appropriately.  Such inflammation left to build can cause even more serious problems than PMR - don't give it a chance!
    • mary68968
      mary68968 MrsO-UK_Surrey

      Posted

      Good point MrsO.  It's what keeps me taking pred, which I don't like taking.  Inflammation can cause a lot of damage in the body.
  • kadge
    kadge mary11774

    Posted

    def go to doctors, get your bloods done and make sure they test for everything including vitamin d. I went in Feb had just basics to rule out PMR went back after 3 weeks more bloods ordered. Found out nearly 4 weeks ago I had zero vit d which causes fatigue, pains etc just same as PMR. Been on supplements for nearly 4 weeks and still in agony so going back in couple of weeks to see what else can be done.

    Good luck and let us know what happens

  • TIsser
    TIsser mary11774

    Posted

    I sympathise Mary, had similar experience thought I pulled a mustle on my shoulders a good 7 to 8 months before I got so bad I had to go to Dr. Or thought it might just be old age.....I hope you go to see your GP ASAP, don't hang about because you think you might be causing a fuss.  Hope you feel better soon.  Regards TIsser 
  • vanessa66630
    vanessa66630 mary11774

    Posted

    had all the same problems as you, love doing crafts but couldnt be bothered to do anything, cried a lot doctor put me on antidepressants, could not turn over in bed and could not lift my arms above my head, it was PMG, started steroids everything changed, pain went away, so dont worry.
  • margaret22251
    margaret22251 mary11774

    Posted

    Mary i do a lot of crafting and the first thing that my hubby noticed was i never did any, and he said its not like you , you were always in your room, but  i am now going back to my craft class, and joined a bingo club just for different company,you are on the right sire here, dont worry about moaning i do lots of it, and it helps to talk to people in the same boat. lots of hugs for youbiggrin
  • EileenH
    EileenH mary11774

    Posted

    Off to the GP - they could be PMR symptoms and depressive mood and emotional feelings are also part and parcel for many people. 

    BUT - start with the physical symptoms or you run the risk of the doctor simply filing it in "your age" or "depression".

    • vanessa66630
      vanessa66630 EileenH

      Posted

      met a few people for coffee who have PMR, it was really nice to meet others with the same problem, one of the things that worried me was that they all have monthly blood tests and blood pressure tests every month while on steroids, I have been on them for 9 months no tests, I telephoned my doctor to ask, he was not very pleased and said blood tests were not needed and if I wanted my blood pressure done I only had to walk in, and also said It was best not to listen to other people, love to hear your thoughts on this. thank you.
    • tina-uk_cwall
      tina-uk_cwall vanessa66630

      Posted

      Hi Vanessa, I have blood tests every 3 months but I do have a liver problem (possible auto immune condition there too) so I am regularly monitored however, I do think blood tests every 3 or 6 months is routine? 

      Again, because I am border line high blood pressure they test that about every 3 months too. Infact it was th result of my last blood pressure check that I was put on the 13 hour, 1/2 hour blood pressure check, and I do suspect that I will be prescribed blood pressure tablets as my pressure has gone up to about 180/110 and I'm only 54 years old.

      and, I definately think that listening to others is vital, that way we know that we have an excellent GP or a really crappie one!!!

      all the best, christina 

    • mary68968
      mary68968 vanessa66630

      Posted

      You can buy a blood pressure monitor at your loal drug store.  It's helpful because you can use it yourself all the time, which I do.  My rheumy does blood work every 2 months to see if any changes. I think this is the normal practice. I hope this helps. Your doc sounds a bit apathetic in my opinion.
    • judytal
      judytal vanessa66630

      Posted

      I've been on Prednisone ( low dose 4 mg twice a day) for about 8 months...have only had original blood work which did not confirm PMR...

      i have my own blood pressure machine which I use to monitor my own. When at the office I get anxious so it's usually high there!! Dumb, I know...

      my biggest challenge with PMR is the extreme fatigue which comes and goes.  Life is a challenge... How we approach it is up to us... Stay strong !!

    • EileenH
      EileenH vanessa66630

      Posted

      Yes - I have to say I do agree with Mary! Pathetic though is maybe being kind - idle springs to mind...

      I think monthly blood tests is a bit OTT to be honest, 3 monthly is fine and I do have mine done only once a year but then my ESR/CRP have never been raised anyway. They should be checked before a reduction if you are one of the people for whom they meant something - it does give some indication that you were at a dose that was holding the inflammation. And 6 monthly blood sugars and cholesterol are also a good idea when you are on pred. Beyond that it depends what other medication you are on.

      So listening to others is a bad idea is it? Hmmm - and what would he know? Has he ever told you anything about your illness? Prognosis? Possible adverse events? GCA? Where to obtain safe, reliable, medically checked advice and support? If he has and responded to you with a rather better set of manners than displayed so far then he may be right - but it doesn't help you feel you are "normal" for the patient population nor know that it will pass and it is more likely you WILL recover fully than not.

      I'm rather unimpressed he doesn't check BP proactively every so often in his older patients - no doubt he doesn't get a bonus for doing that unlike asking if you smoke and saying do please take this prescription for statins...

    • Oregonjohn-UK
      Oregonjohn-UK vanessa66630

      Posted

      Hi Vanessa - was good to meet up and compare notes etc. and enjoy a cup of coffee.   I've not had a blood test since early December.

      John

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