PMR and Vasculitis
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi all,
I am confused. I recently read here on this forum that PMR is a form of vasculitis, but when I research vasculitis PMR is not listed as one if its forms.
I can understand why it has been said (on this forum) that vasculitis IS a form of PMR, since vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels -- and of course so is PMR. But if that's the case, why isn't PMR listed as one of the forms of vasculitis?
I tend to think this is important, since vasculitis can lead to vital organ problems if not properly addressed. I didn't know I had to be concerned with vital organ problems. I thought I was dealing primarily with blood vessel inflammation of the legs, shoulders, etc.
I'm confused.
1 like, 5 replies
lodgerUK_NE bob73443
Posted
The jury is out amongst the professionals at present.
When you were diagnosed with PMR, the person who diagnosed you should have told you all the symptoms of GCA and what to watch out for. This is because, currently they call it a 'sister' illness.
If you think about it if the oxygen and blood supply are having difficulty getting into the muscles, it is arteries and veins that take that supply to those muscles.
A small percentage of people with PMR can and do then get GCA, however it is a small percentage, just watch out for those symptoms.
A few patients with 'just' pmr and one of them includes a very close friend of mine who ran into problems with the toes turning red and then blue and after seeing her GP and telling him she had been asked to ask to see a Vascular Surgeon, yes it turns out she has vasculitis (never had GCA) and is having an artery in the groin seen to this week.
Don't be worried, just be careful.
gillian_25383 bob73443
Posted
MrsO-UK_Surrey bob73443
Posted
I have had both PMR and GCA, both now in remission, but I do have lingering signs of vasculitis symptoms in that my toes become red and inflamed from time to time. My podiatrist is sure it is remnants of GCA.
Yes, it's true that some autoimmune and inflammatory conditions under the vasculitis umbrella can lead to organ damage without correct treatment, but this is not the case with PMR, or at least I have never come across anyone yet who has succumbed to organ damage from PMR. Of course, if the inflammation of PMR is left untreated, that can lead to all sorts of other nasties.
misdiagnose bob73443
Posted
MrsO-UK_Surrey misdiagnose
Posted