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  3. Polymyalgia Rheumatica and GCA

Possible flare up?

Posted , 4 users are following.

lesley234
lesley234

Wondered if anybody had some advice/ help they could give me? Diagnosed with PMR last July and started on preds at 20mg. Within 48

hours felt like a totally different person. Have decreased my dose to 8mg but wondering if I am having a flare-up. Have not felt any real pain whilst decreasing until now. Pain has become quite severe, am feeling quite woozy at times and my eyesight seems to be deteriorating.

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • somersetsue
    somersetsue lesley234

    Posted

    Lesley, if your eye sight is affected I think they consider that a medical emergency in case you have TA/GCA, certainly I was told any changes to my vision I should go straight to the hospital. I would go and see them or give them a call but make sure they know you have PMR.
    • lesley234
      lesley234 somersetsue

      Posted

      Thanks have been a bit concerned that I have no regular appointments to see my doctor although she was very good at diagnosing my PMR
  • ann98860
    ann98860 lesley234

    Posted

    If your doctor has diagnosed you with P M R and you are on preds you should be seen at least every 3 months for a blood check to make sure the dosage is still keeping it under control it sounds like its to low at the moment ;please get yourself checked out as soon as possible dont take no for an answer it sounds like you are in need of all the help you can get ; good luck let us know how you get on
    • lesley234
      lesley234 ann98860

      Posted

      Thanks Ann - have had no blood tests done since the original ones a year ago when I was first diagnosed. Will contact surgery tomorrow to arrange.
  • somersetsue
    somersetsue lesley234

    Posted

    When gettig blood tests make sure they check ESR and CRP levels,these are your inflammatory markers.
  • ann98860
    ann98860 lesley234

    Posted

    Hi me again if you go to www.pmr-gca-northeast.org.uk they have a great news letter you can read well worth a visit .tt has many Tips and Tricks to help you in your time of need i do hope you can get to read it .
    • lesley234
      lesley234 ann98860

      Posted

      Thanks Ann. Have an appointment to have my bloods checked on Friday so hopefully some answers there. Will look at website as I have seen it mentioned a few times. It is comforting to find out that there are people who understand what it is like to have this condition. As quite a few posts point out, because you don't look different on the outside, and that can lead to friends and family not really understanding how bad you can feel.
    • ann98860
      ann98860 lesley234

      Posted

      If you get chance to read the web before you go to the doctors it will tell you what questions to ask your doctor make alist of what you want to know and take it with you it may be able to help your doctor as well 'hope you get to know as much as you can about this crippling P M R .
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