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PMR returning?

Posted , 6 users are following.

angelcake61
angelcake61

Hi 

I stopped taking pred around April time after 3 yrs 4 months.

At the moment , I ache all and have done since about may, it hasn't got any worse, but I just want to wrap myself in Cotton wool.

ive had foot surgery, I don't walk far now, I wish I'd never had it done, my hands and wrists ache too,  I can't sleep for pins and needles in my right  hand.   So I finally went to the doctors today, he says I've probably got carpal tunnel and prescribed amitrptlyne 10mg, to take one or two at night.  I asked if he'd take an esr blood sample to see if the PMR was coming back, he said they only take esr whist on medication to see how it's working.   Any thoughts please.

 

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • dan38655
    dan38655 angelcake61

    Posted

    What the doc said might apply to his practice, but certainly isn't universally true.

    An elevated ESR test result was one of the things that led to my being prescribed pred in the first place.

  • constance.de
    constance.de angelcake61

    Posted

    You obviously came off pred too soon.  Whatever university did your doctor go to - he's putting you in danger (untreated inflammation

    can cause all sorts of problems).

    Where do you live?  I'd find another doctor if I were you.  If that is impossible couldn't you save up and get a private blood test?

    Good luck.

  • EileenH
    EileenH angelcake61

    Posted

    Lordy - where do they find them!!!!!!

    I'd find a competent doctor who knows what they are talking about - "they only take esr whist on medication to see how it's working" is rubbish. It is part of the diagnostic workup in the first place. Symptoms plus (possibly) raised blood markers are the diagnostic procedure in PMR. And it should be checked - because it is VERY common for PMR to return a few months after stopping the pred.and the blood test is the first place to start. 

    Carpal tunnel syndrome is often part of PMR and often improves at the higher doses of pred only to return as you lower the dose. Amitryptiline is sometimes used as it seems to work long term - but I would prefer to see a physio and try a wrist splint than immediately start on a medication that isn't proven and has the potential for some unpleasant side effects (not saying they'll happen).

    But the rest of it may just be your body settling down after stopping pred - and the trauma of foot surgery where possibly you should have had a boost of pred at the time. What did you have done? And when?

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