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still accepting

Posted , 4 users are following.

josey1
josey1

I was diagnosed with PMR 10/6/14....I have not as yet taken Prednisone. I was diagnosed with diabetes type 2 at the same time, so worried about prednisone pushing blood sugar levels too high causing me to need other medication. I am also addicted to diazepam i am on a taper plan for this, worried about this being cross tolerant with prednisone? is it?

I've got to the stage now though where I don't think I have a choice in taking the pred, my aches and pains are getting worse, am i doing myself harm waiting to see if my pains go away naturally? sorry i don't know very much about this, I'm still accepting I have this, my doctor went away on holiday after my diagnosis, she is back this Wednesday.

Also I'm a widow and live alone, I miss having my soul mate to lean on.

I guess I'm asking if i should go on Prenisone straight away despite my fears.

Grateful for your help

Josey

 

0 likes, 22 replies

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  • mrs_k
    mrs_k josey1

    Posted

    Josey

    You must take the prednisolone, if left untreated the PMR can sometimes, (the chances are increased) lead to GCA and that is something you do not want.

    PMR is not an illness that will go away in a short time, it can be a long haul.

    The person who diagnosed you should have told you all this and also the warning signs.

    They can monitor your sugar levels and if thye become too high, you can be referred to the Diabetic Clinic/Nurse to enable you to cope with it all.

    Your local chemist - go talk to him/her, they can tell you all about what drugs go with what.  Make a friend of them.

    I will all answer with another reply, but that one will be moderated.  As you live alone and need virtual friends and help and perhaps a support group if there is one near where you live.  I will post some links for you.

    josey - just remember You Are Not Alone, someone is always out there for you.

    • josey1
      josey1 mrs_k

      Posted

      Thank you Mrs k. I will see my doctor on Wednesday when she will prescribe me prednisolone. I don't think she can know a lot about PMR, is this common with doctors? I am on a waiting list to join a diabetic help group.

      I like the way you say make a friend of the pharmacist, they always seem out of reach somehow.

      Thanks for your kind words they mean a lot to me.

      Josey

       

  • steveBN1
    steveBN1 josey1

    Posted

    Hi josey. I'm Type 1 and had a similar problem to consider re blood glucose effects. The development of PMR had already pushed up my BG hugely, I think due to the pain, reduced mobility and stress, and my insulin requirements were going through the roof. Starting prednisolone at 10mg/day actually brought my insulin requirement down a lot, but not to pre PMR levels until the dose was down to about 8mg/day. Obviously, your other meds will complicate things for you. Your doctor and pharmacist should advise on drug interactions and it's worth a conversation with them. Good luck 
    • josey1
      josey1 steveBN1

      Posted

       It seems to be a case of finding the right dosage of pred then regarding BG. So I could have higher BG because of the PMR? makes sense I never thought of that.

      I hope you are doing well now..Thank you for your kind advice and support Steve.

  • mrs_k
    mrs_k josey1

    Posted

    This will be moderated.

    www.pmr-gca-northeast.org.uk  - Josey there is a wealth of information on this site.  Take you time and work your way through it.  Look and see if there is a support group near you.

    Now this is another forum, run by the Charity and well adminstered.  It is fun, whacky, someone is always there for you and as we have people from outside the UK, even if you post in the middle of the night, someone will answer. This is where we moan, groan and ask the darft question. www.pmrandgca.forumup.co.uk

    But keep on coming back to this site, it is invaluable.

    • josey1
      josey1 mrs_k

      Posted

      Thanks again, I certainly will try these places and i won't leave here, already feel less lonely.

      I am getting afraid of the symptoms being alone and I was doing quite well with moving forward in my grief, this feels like a major set back, but onwards we go.

      josey

  • Mousemum
    Mousemum josey1

    Posted

    Hi Josie. I am on pred and I'm also a type 2 diabetic. It did push my levels up a bit as I was on a really hefty dose to start off with. However if you stick pretty close to diabetic diet you may find you don;t have too much trouble. My doc been brill and says better small rise in sugar than constant pain but everybody diff. Try it and see you can always come off if you have too much trouble. Good Luck. Carol x
    • josey1
      josey1 Mousemum

      Posted

      Thankyou for your support Carol. Yes the pain has got too much now, I must get on the pred....I'm using paracetamol for pain relief.

      Hope you are feeling well.

      josey

  • Judygirl
    Judygirl josey1

    Posted

    So sorry for your loss.  You are not alone in this and there are wonderful

    caring people in this forum which certainly help.  Mrs. k is a wealth of

    information so keep in touch and good luck.

    • josey1
      josey1 Judygirl

      Posted

      Thank you for your condolences Judygirl. I've relised how much I/we rely on our partners support in times of trouble I miss him even more right now. Its reassuring to have support here.

      josey

  • josey1
    josey1

    Posted

    My inflammation bl test result went down from 90 to 70. So doc gave another bl test Wednesday and said we would hold off the perdnisone till Monday see what the result is then. I don't feel any different, still achey everywhere, tired and emotional. Hoping the pred isn't being delayed too long as I'm not able to get any exersise for my muscles. Is that bl test result a good sign or does everyone fluctuate?
    • mrs_k
      mrs_k josey1

      Posted

      Goolge the British Society of Rheumatologists and once there look for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Polymyalgia Rheumatica.

      You can download them and take them to your GP.

      If you can't find them on that site, they are on the NHS website.

  • Mousemum
    Mousemum josey1

    Posted

    Hi Josey sorry to hear you are still achey and tires. My blood levels never showed any increase in immflamation at all. The only sure test to PMR is to take pred and see if you get dramatic relief if you do you got it!! Cant understand your doctor dithering about although I am sure he has got his reasons. They dont seem to know much about it and I have learnt far more from this forum. Good luck to you and let us know how you get on onMon. Dont be scared of pred it isnt as bad as everyone makes out. xx
  • josey1
    josey1

    Posted

    I went to my appointment on Monday ready to discuss prednisone. Left there totally confused! My blood test was normal......so doctor said I do not have pmr, so she wouldn't give me prednisone. I told her I'm in pain, she gave me the impression that it's all down to my grieving and in my head! I know it's not, what do you think..? Can this go away without prednisone .?

    thank you josey 

     

    • mrs_k
      mrs_k josey1

      Posted

      No it cannot and left untreated it van get complicated.

      Read the guidelines, has the GP done all the tests necessary, ie Vit D deficiency etc  - everything should be ruled out and then if nothing shows a dose of pred 15/20mg for about 4 days.  If improvement its PMR.

      Go back to your GP and this time take someone else with you, preferably someone who is close to you and knows you and is not afraid to be an advocate. 

    • josey1
      josey1 mrs_k

      Posted

      I'm feeling let down by my doctor, I've never been offered a vit D test. Would it cause trouble to see a different doctor in same surgery for a second opinion? I'm listening to the advice on internet then she tells me to stp reading the net . I feel really upset and let down keep thinking maybe the pain will go away. 
    • mrs_k
      mrs_k josey1

      Posted

      Download the Guidelines and put an appointment on with the Practice Manager and discuss the issue with him. Tell him/her you are unhappy and if you get nowhere find another practice. 

      Take someone with you.

      josey, would you put up[ with that treatment from a car mechanic?

    • josey1
      josey1 mrs_k

      Posted

      I'm so used to my husband sorting out the car mechanic for me and I'm missing his support with this. I don't think I'm strong enough to do what you suggest, too stressful. But I will see another doctor at same surgery if it won't cause problems. Otherwise I will have to go back to same doc and take my daughter with me. She is the only support i have offline.

      Where is the best guideline to download?

      Thank you for your kind support.

      Josey

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