Question 1

how do you deal with pmr and the steroids?

Accepted Answer

Brief dose as possib: Although they (steroids) have been the mainstay of the treatment of pmr, i start patients on these drugs plus methotrexate.  In my experience there are fewer side-effects.

Question 2

can you cause more harm by not taking steroids to treat pmr? pmr is a miserable/painful condition but steroids definitely cause issues & i'm leery of taking them if i don't have to...however i don't want to do anything stupid by not taking them. thx?

Accepted Answer

: Yes, steroids can be harmful at your age. There are steroid sparing regimens for this condition so you should see a rheumatologist if you have not seen one. I would rely on steroids as the last measure or only as a short course. However, if vasculitis is diagnosed steroid is required. Practice Tai Chi is also helpful for this condition.

Question 3

i was diagnosed last week with pmr  & giant cell arteritis, went on steroids immediately, but so far they don't seem to be working, is this normal?

Accepted Answer

No: High dose Prednisone should provide fairly dramatic improvement.  Discuss this issue with the prescribing doctor.

Question 4

10mg/day prednisone (for suspected pmr). how long can i take it before the need to taper? i'd like to stop after 3 weeks. i understand it may not be long enough but steroids scare me. could i maybe take breaks between courses if i need to go back on?

Accepted Answer

: Never use abbreviations in medicine.

Question 5

my wife is taking prednisone for pmr: are there any other treatments besides steroids for pmr?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: The best approach is to talk with her doctor about treatment options. Low dose steroids is the recommended medication for treating pmr.

Question 6

dr suspects pmr but all labs came back fine (no inflammation, normal set rate, normal crp). scared to take steroids. will i do any permanent damage by not taking them? any possible differential diagnosis to investigate? thank you?

Accepted Answer

: It is mostly a clinical diagnosis and treatment is generally geared towards symptoms.
Visit this site for information: https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Polymyalgia-Rheumatica

Question 7

does inner thigh pain come from pmr flare? or could it be from riding on back of motorcycle and holding tight to driver with my legs.. i got off steroids for pmr about 2 months ago.. so pray it's not sign of flare. l thank you for your help?

Accepted Answer

: I don't think it's a PMR flare but do go along with your alternate explanation. I expect some associated pinpoint thigh muscle tenderness after that motorcycle ride causing thigh muscle strain. PMR flareup would produce rather diffuse muscle aches &amp; the blood tests, ESR&amp;CRP, would be elevated.

Question 8

pmr, is there a cure ?

Accepted Answer

No cure: There is no cure for pmr although low dose Prednisone provides excellent control in most cases. Often pmr resolves with time, usually over a period of 1-2 years.

Question 9

what are the symptoms of pmr?

Accepted Answer

AM stiffness, aching: Classic symptoms- am stiffness, proximal shoulder and hip girdle aching, and can have associated temporal arteritis with headaches, a risk of double vision and visual loss. These are some.

Question 10

polymyalgia rheumatica --what is pmr?

Accepted Answer

Autoimmune: Polymyalgia rheumatica (pmr) is an autoimmune disease that occurs in people 50 years of age and older. It is associated with severe pain and stiffness in the shoulders and hips. Pmr can also lead to blindness due to inflammation in blood vessels of the eye. Pmr is treated with steroids and Aspirin to prevent blindness. Other medicines (antibiotics) are sometimes used to prevent steroid effects.

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Doctor answers about:

Pmr and steroids

A member asked:

How do you deal with pmr and the steroids?

A member asked:

Can you cause more harm by not taking steroids to treat pmr? pmr is a miserable/painful condition but steroids definitely cause issues & i'm leery of taking them if i don't have to...however i don't want to do anything stupid by not taking them. thx?

A member asked:

I was diagnosed last week with pmr & giant cell arteritis, went on steroids immediately, but so far they don't seem to be working, is this normal?

A member asked:

10mg/day prednisone (for suspected pmr). how long can i take it before the need to taper? i'd like to stop after 3 weeks. i understand it may not be long enough but steroids scare me. could i maybe take breaks between courses if i need to go back on?

A member asked:

My wife is taking prednisone for pmr: are there any other treatments besides steroids for pmr?

A member asked:

Dr suspects pmr but all labs came back fine (no inflammation, normal set rate, normal crp). scared to take steroids. will i do any permanent damage by not taking them? any possible differential diagnosis to investigate? thank you?

A member asked:

Does inner thigh pain come from pmr flare? or could it be from riding on back of motorcycle and holding tight to driver with my legs.. i got off steroids for pmr about 2 months ago.. so pray it's not sign of flare. l thank you for your help?

A member asked:

Pmr, is there a cure ?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of pmr?

A member asked:

Polymyalgia rheumatica --what is pmr?

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