Shingles then PMR
Posted , 6 users are following.
I'm still recovering from shingles. Now having pain in shoulder, arm, hips, lower spine. Not like PHN but muscle pain. Does anyone know if Polymyalgia Rheumatica can follow shingles please? I seen to be showing lots of similarities tto it apart from stiffness and muscle pain, like sore, itchy scalp, sweating and exhaustion on exertion and very tired all the time. I'm really getting so fedup with feeling do bad all the time, since last Christmas really, after I had the flu jab then shingles in April. I also have OA in spine and multi joints but have been told in the past I do not have RA. I don't know if it's just this playing up or PMR! I think my GP's are sick of seeing me lately. Any replies welcome!
1 like, 5 replies
jon02168 Ellie1943
Posted
lodgerUK_NE Ellie1943
Posted
You will see there are exclusion tests in the diagnosis of PMR, you can then discuss the problems with your GP's and find out exactly.
Currently there is no known cause or cure for PMR and there are as many theories as there are grains of sand.
MrsO-UK_Surrey Ellie1943
Posted
The classic areas for pain in PMR are the hips, lower spine, front of thighs, shoulders. Other symptoms can be low grade fever, especially overnight, and fatigue.
There is no definitive test for PMR. If suspected, GPs usually carry out two blood tests (ESR and CRP) to check for inflammation. If those show raised markers, they can then give a trial dose of 15mg steroids (Prednisolone) for a week or two. If the symptoms resolve by at least around 70% then the GP will take that as confirmation of PMR diagnosis.
Although there is no known cause (or cure) for PMR, many patients have commented that it started after a bout of flu, whilst others have put the blame on starting statins, and still others blame it on a period of stress. It does seem therefore that in many cases, stress, whether emotonal or physical, can prove the final straw where PMR is concerned.
If you haven't had the blood tests I mention above, then do ask for them (although it is still possible to have PMR even without raised markers of inflammation), plus a Vitamin D blood test. Many of us have been found to be defiicient in the latter and such deficiency can lead to pain in similar areas to those of PMR, as well as certain our 'nasties'.
Ellie1943
Posted
EileenH Ellie1943
Posted