PMR connected to othe rconditions??

OK - you've answered ny question from the other thread (about carbs).

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition yes - Type 2 isn't normally thought to be. I suppose there could be something somewhere in some people - I shall have to have a look.

I too have SSS (sick sinus syndrome) - and the cardiologist here is confident it is probably due to the same autoimmune disorder that caused the PMR. The PMR started very slowly in my case: first during the summer I found it difficult to step up during step classes and I just felt generally unfit. Then in the autumn I couldn't use the cross trainer for more than a couple of minutes without awful thigh muscle pain (claudication). However, I occasionally had palpitations but when they started I'm not sure. I never had anything as dramatic as a collapse but I did have a few episodes where I really didn't feel very good! The GP was useless - "call 999 if they get too bad" was his suggestion. There is a logic - the paramedic might catch episodic arrythmias with their ECG machine if they get there fast enough. The GP is never going to find it except the unbelievable luck of it happening while you are there. This was long before pred.

Two and a half years ago a whole constellation of things led to my back muscles going into spasm - I couldn't move because the pain was excruciating. No "take paracetamol" here - I was admitted for drastic treatment with high dose steroid and iv diazepam (as a muscle relaxant). I developed tachycardia, a pulse of 230+ as a rare but known response to iv diazepam - and bradycardias of 35-40 afterwards. SSS diagnosed after further tests and a shed load other medication handded out. It works so that's fine for now.

It is well known that anyone with one autoimmune condition is more likely to develop another than someone who doesn't have one developing a first. It isn't know why - but probably because autoimmune disorders have a long shelf full of symptoms, which illness you are told you have depends on which symptoms you demonstrate. I think a lot are the same - just the patients don't LOOK the same and many were labelled years ago before there was the technology to investigate further. Some of them have been renamed in recent years as more is found out about them.

I have asked rheumatologists (indirectly through someone in the NE support group) whether there is a higher rate of atrial fibrillation and stuff like yours in patients with PMR. I got the usual evasive "well it's more common in people of that age group anyway". Yes, fine, but IS IT MORE COMMON IN THIS AGE GROUP WITH PMR? I suspect it is - but the UK has been so wishy about dealing with a/f in the past that it remains the biggest risk factor for stroke. Here if you are noted to have anything even remotely sinister in your heart rate you will be kept in hospital until it is identified and your anticoagulant therapy properly adjusted. One of my friends was admitted to A&E in the UK with a tachycardia of 232 - a/f diagnosed but sent home next morning on aspirin. By a diabetologist - I sent her to her GP to demand warfarin and a referral to a cardiologist who might have more idea what he was doing.

Since I have cut carbs the high cholesterol has returned to normal (10 days of a statin was more than enough, never again), I have never had raised blood sugars and I have lost 16kg in weight - all the pred excess weight because of where it has gone from. My BP has also gone down - to an extent where I suspect the medication is too highly dosed. That's next on the list for querying.

My goodness you've been givien a lot to deal with Panamabob!  I'm a fellow PMR sufferer, but so far it's the only condition I have to battle.  However, I must admit that recent heart palpitations and high blood pressure, even with medication, will be the main items on my agenda when I next see my health care practitioner.  My reason for replying is to wish you the best of luck and also to ask a question....Given your forum name I was wondering if you live in Panama.

Hi Jean.Yes,I have had more than my fair share LOL.However,I am mobile and so far enjoying life.Just intrigued by the connection between SSS and PMR.

And yes,I do live in Panama.Not permanently,I am currently in UK,but plan on going back very soon

I too had another autoimmune disease before PMR: bird breeder lung disease, something like asthma but not the same.  I also had bradycardia, a very slow heart rate, cured last year with a cardiac ablation!  Not often can they cure things, but they did:  my heart had developed extra pace makers, which was very confusing to the main one, so they ran wires into my heart and killed the extra ones. This is the new way to treat tachycardia as well. (Funny note: one idiot at the hospital told me that really top atheletes sometimes have a heart rate as low as mine- 35!  So I answered: do I LOOK like a very top athelete?) But you need a very big expert to do this procedure.  

      I have avoided diabetes II (but not excess weight) so far with a very high fiber diet- lots of split pea soup and similar things and very little sugar. 

         Then there are other things like clots, etc. and I think I must be on my 5th or 6th or even 7th life life!!!  I wonder how many I have!!  and less deadly than the afore mentioned: osteoarthritis.  My hip and right shoulder have been replaced, and more joints need it.  Gee, I am not that old!

Hi there, about four years ago I took a fall playing badminton and hurt my hip.  I took some time off work and was treated with acupuncture and physio.  They eventually diagnosed me with chronic hip dysplasia.  Couple of months later I started to feel really poorly was losing weight ( in fact lost 6 stone).  I started to get the really bad shoulder and neck pain, couldn't turn my head, having sweats and couldn't turn over in bed.  I eventually called the doc out thinking I had flu.  He gave me antibiotics for a water infection.  After another week in bed my daughter took me to the local A&E and I was admitted.  After a day of tests I was diagnosed with Diabetes type 2 liver sclerosis  and pmr. Among other meds they put me on 60 mg of pred and the next day I felt on top of the world.  All these symptoms seemed to come on after my fall, don't know if they had anything to do with the initial fall but it's interesting.  I'm still struggling to get down my pred,  still on 13mg but staying on that for a bit cause I'm due to have my hip replacement on 5 th Nov.

Sue