Thyroid connection to PMR
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hello all,
?I'm London born, but I've lived in the USA for 40 yrs. I'm glad to find this group, I've been feeling homesick anyway from binge watching "Grantchester" this week.
?I'm waiting for the results of blood tests to confirm PMR. As my symptoms seem so typical and worsen each day, it's depressing to say the least. You all give me hope for treatment and recovery. A few months ago, I developed a rash from the back of my head to my bottom....extremely itchy. I went through tests, biopsy and a number of dermatologists and allergists who tried to convince me it was contact dermatitis (multiple dose-packs of prednisone - the rash would disapper and then come right back)and an allergy to shampoo! Finally my PCP (GP) suggested that I discontinue the 50mcg of Synthroid that I have been taking for the past year. Within a few days the rash faded and I became virtually itch free. So it seems I am allergic to Synthroid or one of it's inactive ingredients. After a few peaceful days the aches and pains started. The worst in my hips. Fortunately I had a routine appointment with my Neurologist. I have had multiple car accident over the past 10 years, not my fault, but being rear-ended takes a toll on one's back and joints! He asked my many questions about my new aches and pains and ordered blood tests. Expected diagnosis, PMR.
?I have written this post as I'm wondering about the connection between the thyroid and also the many courses I have had of Prednisone over the past 10 years. I'm not looking for any answers from the group at this point, but hope my experience will add to the information available. One can only hope that some Doctors and Rheumatologists are monitoring this very useful Forum.
?Cheers! Christine
0 likes, 16 replies
Michdonn chrisbrit
Posted
Hi chrisbrit, I a Yankee, blood test do not confirm PMR, but are a indicator if the results are high. If your pain is reduced and goes away after a course of Predinisone, then you probably have PMR. Good luck on your road to recovery! 🙂
chrisbrit Michdonn
Posted
Thank you. I was aware of that. I've been reading a lot in preparationg. It appears to be crucial to get the right dose of Prednisone, and then a loooong, slow taper. I always like to be informed. So pleased to have found this forum.
Michdonn chrisbrit
Posted
Yes chrisbrit, proper dose and then PMR pain free; then start the slow taper. I will not reduce if I am having any PMR pain. And try to stay active, I walk, when I get my balance I will start riding my bicycle, preparing for a winter of skiing. Got a smile on my face! 🙂
amkoffee chrisbrit
Posted
Thyroidism whether it's hypo or hyper is an autoimmune disorder. And it is not uncommon for you to accumulate autoimmune disorders when you have one. And PMR is an autoimmune disorder. So what I'm saying is in all likelihood you probably do have PMR. And like one other poster said you can have PMR and it not show in the blood work. The best test for PMR is if your pain is controlled by taking prednisone.
What have the doctors done to replace your Synthroid? Is there another drug out there to treat your thyroidism?
julian. amkoffee
Posted
much the same thoughts amkoffee. My hashimotos's (hypo-thyroid) is auto-immune like my pmr. But that's about the only connection.
I don't have your allergy chris. But I do know if I didn't have my 100mcg thyroxine my energy levels would be way down and my ability to cope with the pmr would be considerably lessened.
I'm in Australia and there are a couple of different brands of thyroxine. We use the right handed stuff, levothyroxine (synthroid) is left handed, but that shouldn't make a difference - it didn't for me.
If its pmr the relief from a sufficient dose of pred can be almost instant, but there's a long journey after that.
Thyroid is much easier for the doctors than pmr. Measure TSH (thyroid stimulation hormone), work out thyroxine dose, retest to check effect.
Pred for pmr is more a "suck it and see" sort of thing, relying on control of physical symptoms for feedback.
Michdonn julian.
Posted
julian, I would not say instant, some relief, but can take some weeks before real relief. Each case and each individual is different and so is the reaction to Predinisone. Try and put a smile on your face, good luck on your journey. 🙂
amkoffee julian.
Posted
chrisbrit amkoffee
Posted
Yes, it seems like my body just hit a storm! I was only on a very small dose of Levythyroxine, 50 mcg. The bilateral nature of my pain leads me to be fairly certain I have PMR. Looking back, I even remember the day it first hit a couple of months ago.
?As I was trying to find a solution for the terrible rash I had, and it turned out to be the thyroid med, I have to wait a couple more weeks before taking it again. My dermatologist and PCP both have suggestions for a replacement. One is a natural product sourced from pigs. The other is similar to Synthroid but the only inactive ingredients are not things likely to make any allergy flare. As I don't know exactly what I was sensitive to in the drug I was taking, it may take a couple of cautious experiment to find the right one.
chrisbrit amkoffee
Posted
Thank you for your input. I'm 69 so I think my lack of sufficient thyroid hormone is more a reaction to age that a big problem with auto-immune function.
The dermatologist wanted me to stay off leveythryoxine for 30 days to make sure my system was rested and the rash completely gone. I expect to try TIROSINE 50mcg next week. The only additives it has are gelatin, glycerine and water. Hoping that will put my allergy to rest. I know some of my symptoms may well be lack of thyroid hormone, so will wait and see how I feel before I address the PMR. At the moment lots of rest, careful nutrition and exercise have helped a lot.
EileenH chrisbrit
Posted
chrisbrit EileenH
Posted
Flutterbie57 chrisbrit
Posted
I have been fading away for weeks again - lethargy taking over (again).So always looking for something to enjoy from the couch, in times like this. I binged on Downton Abbey last year. I havn't heard of Grantchester, but love a good Brit show. All the best with your health journey. Sometimes you just have to slow up and enjoy the slower lifestyle. (for just awhile we hope)
chrisbrit Flutterbie57
Posted
I lived less than 5 miles from Highclere Castle aka Downton Abby, growing up. I visited the UK last year and finally got to tour. Wonderful. Exceeded my expectations. Then my cousin took my to several places in Oxfordshire where they filmed the farm, church and kitchen scenes. So I've started watching again from the beginning.
?You'll enjoy Grantchester, it starts just after WW11 in a small town outside Cambridge. Just the thing to take your mind off aches and pains! I hope it cheers you up!
Michdonn chrisbrit
Posted
chrisbrit, my wife, daughter
and watched Downton Abbey
twice and all three of us enjoyed
It each time. Great show! 🙂
Anhaga Michdonn
Posted
But Downton Abbey isn't a patch on the original Upstairs Downstairs. A few years ago I was able to watch every single show in the series on tv. It included even a couple of early programs that seemed to be different versions of each other! It was fascinating to observe, also, how the actors mastered the small screen. I remember the first time I saw it, when it was a new show, thinking that one of the actors was awfully deadpan, and I didn't really like her style. But viewing the program many years later I could see how the actors at the beginning over-emoted, as they would have on stage, or even on the big screen. By the end the style of acting was much closer to what we expect today, very much more the intimacy you'd expect from visitors in your livingroom.
Flutterbie57 chrisbrit
Posted