Just been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia besides havingPMR
Posted , 13 users are following.
My GP diagnosed me with PMR January, 2015 and started me on 20 mg of prednisone. Have had an up and down journey with prednisone , pain and stiffness. Last week I saw a rheumatologist for the first time. She diagnosed me with fibromyalgia as well as PMR, because of my ongoing pain and stiffness. I am very confused. I thought my pain and stiffness was due to repeated use of my arms. She thinks my PMR is well controlled by the prednisone and my problems are due to fibromyalgia . My pain and stiffness is in the areas associated with PMR. So confusing! Any thoughts would be welcome. Am on 14 mg prednisone and dropping by 1 mg a month to get to 10 mgs. Anyone else have both? How do you know which is which? How do you dope? Thanks...Linda😜
0 likes, 104 replies
linda82701_USA
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maid_mariane linda82701_USA
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What did he quantify that you had fibromyalgia as well as pmr. I've had pmr since September 2015 20mg and only now at 17mg. I have ongoing pains in my arms mainly but since my ladt reduction back in my feet but this is all pmr.
I'm very sensitive to reduction and your reduction to me is fast. You shoyld gave stayed at 20mg for up to 4-6 weeks then only 10% reduction putting you at 18mg now.
I ask were your pains under control when you reduced if not i would say you reduced to soon, or your pains could be you reduced to much. Again why did he say fibromyalgia i have too many questions.
Mariane Toronto
linda82701_USA maid_mariane
Posted
2nd- She felt if i only had PMR, my pain and stiffness should have been better controlled. She thought I must have other things going on in my body too. My GP also has felt I have something in addition to PMR but didn't know what. The rheumatologist tested all the tender points in my body for fibromyalgia and I had them all. I also have severe osteoarthritis in my spine. It is just so hard to figure what pain is attributed to what disease. Thanks for toe response.
maid_mariane linda82701_USA
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As for everything else i know other people on this site who have both will be along to help.
Hang in there.
linda82701_USA maid_mariane
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judy20492 linda82701_USA
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The way I can tell which is Fibro and which is PMR is, the pain from PMR is always bilateral (on both sides of my body). I have had Fibro for more than 20 years, so that helps also. When I first started with PMR, I thought it was old Fibro, but the pains were more intense and on both sides of my body.
I have had trouble with the Rheumies telling me my PMR was over, and what I was feeling was Fibromyalgia. I have found that some of the Rhuemies want you to reduce like a textbook case. 1mg a month after you get to 10mg, like clockwork. I wish they could feel PMR, that might change their attitude.
Best of Luck. You are not alone in this.
linda82701_USA judy20492
Posted
Thank you for your response to my post. It helps to know how others handle both and how to differentiate the various pains. Yes, the rheumatologist I saw once so far, already said she thinks my PMR is well manage by prednisone. But you are correct, the docs don't live in our bodies.
have a wonderful day and thanks again! Linda
reggie92967 linda82701_USA
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linda82701_USA reggie92967
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paul45653 linda82701_USA
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linda82701_USA paul45653
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EileenH paul45653
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However - it doesn't really make much difference. Guess what the management is ...
reggie92967 paul45653
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EileenH reggie92967
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EileenH
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The fatigue and lack of energy probably WON'T improve with the pred - and certainly not quickly, other than the relief of pain making a difference. But then when you do too much because of that you know about it afterwards, even if you didn't at the time.
But using a higher than required dose at the start can mask the response -it gives you extra energy and will deal with some things that aren't PMR. So if there is a really good response to 15mg it is possibly fair enough to think this is PMR. There may be a moderately good response quickly but not global - then you MIGHT need a bit more, especially if you are big (height or weight). Having achieved that response - maybe you might do better with a few weeks of a higher dose to really hit the inflammation on the head but then you should be able to reduce at least some. But when people struggle with reductions right from the start then I think it is fair to have a really good look around - but do they do it? Do they what!!!!!