PMR - got it or not ??
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi Everybody
I started with a pain in my upper arm spreading down to my hand, the other arm came out in sympathy soon after. After a visit to the Bridlington out of hours clinic and a blood test I was diagnosed with the dreaded PMR. Prior to that I was on Diclofenic for arthritis in the thumbs, Statins for cholesterol, Ramipril for high blood pressure and aspirin to thin the blood. After being diagnosed I was prescribed Prednisolone steroid tablets at 5mg three times a day. I haven't really noticed any improvement and have had very painful hands/fingers and recently a pain just below the knee. My only respite that I feel does any good is to take a Diclofenic to relieve the pains which they do. I appreciate that certain mixes of tablets are a no no but, if they help relieve the pain, is that so bad !! I haven't got the blood test results but, I gather, they were a little elevated. I was told that Steroids were the wonder drug and results were almost instant - not in my case. Do I need a stronger dose ?? I am very concerned about my ability to carry on my job as getting dressed alone is a very painful experience and, being 62, getting another job will be nigh on impossible. Any ideas anybody ??
0 likes, 7 replies
odiecass
Posted
Lizzie_Ellen
Posted
Like Odiecass I haven't heard of Prednisilone being prescribed 5mgs three times a day. I had similar symptoms to you and when PMR was diagnosed I was told to take 15mgs Prednisolone in one go straight after breakfast. The relief was almost instant. At the time I was prescribed the steroids I was taking Arthrotec for a knee problem (these are coated diclofenic) and I was told to stop taking these immediately as the combination of the two could cause serious damage to my stomach. Perhaps you should contact your surgery or have a word with your pharmacist just to check it out. Hope you get sorted soon.
Lizzie Ellen
mrs_k
Posted
I thought I would add my two penny worth in.
Can I ask what sort of Statin, if Simvastatin check the side effects and ask for a switch.
On another thread, I posted about the NSAIDs and Steroids and Lizzie Ellen is spot on, the use of NSAIDs and steroids can lead to drug morbidity.
Chemist's know more about drugs than anyone else, go talk to your friendly chemist about all the medication your on and ask them to check the compatibility. Mine does, each time I am prescribed a new medication.
Have you been referred to a Consultant Rheumatologist?
Have you been offered Lanzoprozale or other stomach protection?
By the way there is a PMR-GCA UK North East Region Support Group located in Middlesbrough. www.pmr-gca-northeast.co.uk
Good Luck
MrsO-UK_Surrey
Posted
Guest
Posted
My pmr is statin induced!!! I had taken Crestor (lowest dose available) for 6-7 yrs. My rheumy says any statin can cause it ... a statin is a statin. My rheumy told me to go off it immediately. My cardiologist told me to stay on it because my cholesterol numbers were so high. Rheumy says he does not like to interfere with another dr, but the statin is for something that MIGHT happen in the future. He says you are hurting now and quality of life is going down and I could get relief only by going off statin. He put me on 10mg pred (all in the morning) November 20 and my sed rate started going down and I didn't hurt!Now sed rate is 15 and he moved me down to 7.5 pred. I am so excited. Hope this info helps.
Mrs_G
Posted
groglewis
Posted
NIL DESPERANDUM
Thanks again everybody :lol:
George