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jane74356

Posted , 14 users are following.

jane74356
jane74356

HI, Ihave been given Amitriplyline for PMR no help with the pain, as any 1 else been given these. Thanks Jane.

1 like, 19 replies

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  • Dinah54
    Dinah54 jane74356

    Posted

    I was only given them when I had very bad tendonitis in my shoulder alongside PMR. I believe they are given for nerve pain so I don't see how they would help with PMR. I didn't find they helped with pain at all anyway- though they were useful just to break the pattern of insomnia that I had developed with the shoulder pain.

    They were once used as an antidepressant but in higher doses than you would be prescribed for pain relief

  • pat73046
    pat73046 jane74356

    Posted

    I had been given Tramadol before which helped but unlike then(2008) it is now a controlled substance. Supposed to be a synthetic narcotic non addicting but I think they may now think differently. I don't want to take it again because coming off off it feels awful. Pat
  • tina-uk_cwall
    tina-uk_cwall jane74356

    Posted

    Hello Jane, sorry to hear you are in pain. Can I just ask, have you been diagnosed with PMR, and if so when. Have you been prescribed any other drug throughout your time diagnosed with PMR. Christina
    • jane74356
      jane74356 tina-uk_cwall

      Posted

       Hi Christina

      Yes I have been diagnosed with PMR 3 months ago. No other drugs prescribed.  Jane

    • tina-uk_cwall
      tina-uk_cwall jane74356

      Posted

      Morning Jane, I do not wish to worry you but something is not right. Either you have been misdiagnosed or you have been diagnosed correctly and been given the incorrect medication.

      pmr is an autoimmune condition whereby the immune system attacks its self.it manifests it self by causing inflammation of the large muscles and joints, namely the knees, hips, thighs, bottom, upper arms, shoulder joints and blades and the neck. Many sufferer cannot lift their arms. This inflamation in turn causes the most excruciating pain, to the point that you barely want to move. Blood samples are taken that very often reveal high ESR and or CRP levels. However, not all sufferers will have raised bloods. There is only one drug that can reduce the inflamation and by reducing the inflamation reduce the pain and that is prednisone. 15 mgs for 6 weeks, 12.5 mgs for 6 weeks then followed by 10 mgs for anything up to a year and by then patients begin a very very slow reduction of the medication. Many people think that when they take the medication they are cured because there is no longer any pain. This is not true. The autoimmune disease is simply controlled by the prednisone, and the condition will last for many years as it burns itself out.

      you must return back to your GP and establish done facts. If you do have PMR then only prednisone will work and therefore must be prescribed for you fit I'm afraid many years. And if you do not have PMR then your Dr must investigate your pain etc and establish exactly what you do have wrong with you. But the drug have currently been prescribed is of no use for PMR.

      also I suggest you look up PMR, even on this website and you will see for yourself what the condition is and how it's treated then when you visit your Dr you are well educated in the condition. Please go soon especially if you are in considerable pain. All the best christina 

    • EileenH
      EileenH jane74356

      Posted

      If it is PMR then amitryptiline will not help - your doctor is confusing fibromyalgia and polymyalgia rheumatica. Either get them to get themselves correct information or find another doctor. 

      If you follow this link

      https://patient.info/forums/discuss/pmr-gca-and-other-website-addresses-35316

      you will get further links to info which explains best practice for PMR. On the first link, the northeast PMRGCAUK support site, you can access and download the guidelines from the British Society of Rheumatologists. There is also a link to a paper from the Bristol rheumatology group aimed at GPs to help them diagnose and manage PMR. Your GP should not be offended by being asked to consider them. If they are - find another.

      If you have PMR, the treatment is prednisolone - there is no other successful option as yet. 

  • lodgerUK_NE
    lodgerUK_NE jane74356

    Posted

    Jane74356

    It won't help with the pain of PMR, but it will help you to sleep with little or no side effects.

    Tramadol is very powerful and can knock you out for hours, I only tried one once and never again.

    However, what I really want to know, is how much pred are you on, what dosage you started on, what are you on now and how fast have you been reducting.

    Pred does not cure PMR (nothing does) and the aim is to find the dose at which you are most comfortable.

    The only painkiller I found that worked was a tablespoon of brandy.  I took it when the pain (on a scale of 1 to 10) was at 7 and it worked.  Brandy was developed by Medieval Monks as a medicine and not as an alcoholic drink.

    • Mrs_CJ
      Mrs_CJ lodgerUK_NE

      Posted

      I don't know much about brandy. Do you think any one would do?  Any thoughts on country of origin, etc.?
    • EileenH
      EileenH Mrs_CJ

      Posted

      One you like the taste of - or dislike the taste of least if it isn't your thing!
    • lodgerUK_NE
      lodgerUK_NE Mrs_CJ

      Posted

      Not Three Barrels.

      Courvosier, Remy Martin and a while host of others. 

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy Mrs_CJ

      Posted

      Remy Martin for me if I win the Premium Bonds, although an Armagnac works pretty well too.
  • alanh
    alanh jane74356

    Posted

    If you definately have PMR, you should be prescribed PREDNISOLONE. That is what I take in varying amounts according to pain levels. I have had PMR for 3yrs. I also take a stomach tablet daily, when I am on a higher dose of Pred. This prevents any upset stomach or ulcers.Its impotant to come down slowly off Pred, because of side effects. My GP allows me to self medicate to a degree now that I am used to controlling the pain.

    I started on 15mg 3yrs ago, after blood tests confirmed PMR. At that point I was also given calcium suppliment.

    • MrsO-UK_Surrey
      MrsO-UK_Surrey alanh

      Posted

      Alanh

      "I also take a stomach tablet daily, when I am on a higher dose of Pred. This prevents any upset stomach or ulcer"

      Have you tried eating a 'live' (probiotic) yoghurt with your breakfast before taking Pred?  It's a very good stomach liner and maintains the necessary good bacteria levels.  I very quickly suffered bad side effects to my bowel/stomach from the PPI stomach protectors prescribed alongside the steroid's (Omeprazole and Lansoprazole) and was taken off them by my rheumy.  I ate a 'live' yoghurt each day instead throughout my 5+ years on steroids, starting at 40mgs a day, and never had a day's trouble with my stomach.

       

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