Posted , 10 users are following.
My wife recently developed what is believed to be Polymyalgia Rheumatica, although this is not confirmed by ESR tests and steroid treatment failed to have any effect over a period of 7 days.
With the doctors scratching their heads we are wondering about herbal treatment; you can't stay on opiate pain killers for ever. There's a treatment called Rheumeton available from New Zealand. Any one tried it?
1 like, 23 replies
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Guest
Posted
Your poor wife - it just seems that the more doctors you are seeing, the more confusing her illness is becoming. You would think that if it is an auto immune illness then a good rheumatologist would be able to put his finger on it. Having said that, I was in bed for 3 months in 2006 unable to move a muscle in my body and the rheumatologist I was then under was unable to diagnose me in spite of putting me through a barrage of tests over 9 months. It was only a year later having seemingly recovered from the previous illness, that Giant Cell Arteritis was diagnosed by a different rheumatologist and GP (that took nearly 4 weeks) and the previous illness (which had also now returned) was diagnosed as PMR, the two conditions having a link. My symptoms had been classic in both illnesses but it seems you have to be lucky to see the right expert at the right time! I hope for both you and your wife's sake that the right expert comes along soon. Meanwhile, I bet your wife is so grateful that she has such a caring husband. Good luck and do let us know how you get on.
MrsO
Guest
Posted
Thank you so much for your concern and good wishes; much appreciated.
We also have to thank you in a huge way for helping to get a diagnosis of my wife's illness.
You remember your friend who was treated for PMG but had Lyme disease? Well, we asked one of the locum doctors we saw if this was a possiblity. On hearing that there was no observed rash and no particularly painful joints he dismissed this as a possibility, but we insisted on a blood test. This was delayed because of brief hospitalisation, but was finally carried out the week before last. Five days later came a phone call telling us of a positive on Lyme disease. Anti-biotics were immediately prescribed and already there has been an improvement.
So if it had not been for my report of the mis-diagnosis of my brother, this wonderful web-site, your friend's experience of mis-dignosis, and your kind help the diagnosis may never have occurred. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you so much.
We live in deer and sheep country, so the possibility of Lyme disease should be recognised by the medical profession. But not one of the doctors we saw (to date 7) diagnosed this as a possibility. If we had believed the locum we would still not have had a diagnosis. As we were awaiting the blood test results we were seen by a brilliant rheumatologist who did confirm that a Lyme disease test should always be carried out when there is any doubt with muscular pain. There is not always a rash, and joints are not always swollen and sore. We certainly need to make our practice aware of the situation.
So to all who may read this blog the lesson is clear; if there is doubt over the dignosis of PMR get a check done for Lyme disease, especially if you live in deer and sheep country.
And Mrs O, once again, many thanks. We hope you are feeling better now too and wish you well for the future. And many many thanks too to patient.info; without you a diagnosis may not have been made.
Our best regards and thanks to all who have contributed to this blog.
Kentish Man & Wife.
Guest
Posted
Well, what a good thing you insisted on that blood test. It's really thanks to whoever contributed to this site a very long time ago with her experience of Lyme Disease that was locked away somewhere at the back of my mind that has proved once again how incredibly valuable this site is. May your wife now quickly make a complete recovery and all good wishes to you both for the future, and I do so appreciate your good wishes to myself.
MrsO
Guest
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MrsO-UK_Surrey
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MrsO
mary-beth38875 Kentish_Man
Posted
I am a NZ lady with PMR, finally diagnosed January 2015 but believe it was brewing 2014 as had 2 falls, the latter playing sport and sustained soft tissue damage to all of left side of body.
Whilst I am now on slow release Hydrocortisone (made up specially in acid resistant capsule to save my damaged stomach) I am pleased to report I am doing well. This special capsule not cheap but I will always research a way to benefit my quality of life - u see my stomach was being eroded from Prednisone (not enteric coated in NZ) and I was NOT willing to take a PPI due to the awful side effects. I therefore try to complement my steriods with other natural alternatives to help heal my body.
I am always interested in holisitic approaches and pricked my ears up reading your post - please can u tell me more about Rheumenton and from whom and where did you learn about this?
Hope you are getting on top of this challenging difficult auto immune illness - takes enormous patience and perserverance.
Kind regards
Any feedback gratefully received.
misdiagnose Kentish_Man
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pam41628 Kentish_Man
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