Questions about recent diagnosis

Osteoarthritis is not the same as rheumatoid arthritis which is what this forum is about. There are no blood tests for osteoarthritis. Did the pred help the PMR symptoms?

Hi Jo, I had the same as you, took a few years of seeing Rheumatologists, neurologists, gastroenterologists before they came to the RA diagnosis. Trouble is the symptoms fit so many different diseases. They knew mine was an auto immune problem but not which one. My Daughter has MS hence the Neuro. It was partly my own fault too as I would get disheartened with being fobbed of with diagnosis of fibromyalgia, then because of inflammation levels, poly myalgia rheumatica that I would leave it awhile until I got the courage up again for another battle. I gave up work, retired to a country town by the coast and finally saw a doc who did bloods and my RA factor had risen so sent me to another Rheumatologist who diagnosed RA. By this time I was having terrible pains in hands and feet, my ankles felt I had glass in them. I was put on 20mg of MTX and Plaquinil but still bloods showed high levels of inflammation. I was sent for a bone scan to see where the inflammation was and I had huge amounts in my hands, wrists, ankles and feet. I'm now on 20mg of MTX and a biologic DMARD and although not feeling 100% at least I know I am listened to. 

Please keep on at them, it's possible to have osteo too but your right that it's wear and tear brought on over time. If they think you have polymyalgia rheumatica then they must see inflammation in your blood results (fibromyalgia and polymyalgia rheumatica are much the same thing only polymyalgia has inflammation). Good luck and keep at them. Mary

I read an article the other day that advised patients to take charge of their drs appt. My seconds rheumy advised she didnt think i had pmr. At that point last sept i got the impression she wasnt goning to see me again she advised there was no imflamation markers or visible evidence. I said I could bring her pictures so she agreed to se me again. Luckly lol my hands did there swelling for a gp appointment and he made notes for rheumy. So that was when they ordered more xrays and osteo showed up. I took charge and insisted my gp do more xrays on hips and knees. They are very slow at all this or they are trying to save money. You deffinetely need to take charge.

I was diagnosed with OA about 15 years before the onset of PsA/RA, All of the joints affected by OA were soon invaded by RA, so I think the two are quite friendly with each other - if not me.