Very concise and well presented. Thank you. Having searched desperately for reliable information on PMR over past couple of years it’s encouraging to hear Rheumatologists coming to the fore on this subject. Much appreciated.
I had all the symptoms, none of the doctors that I saw could figure it out. My inflammation was 28 percent. Month before I saw the right doctor …. She followed all your recommendations and dozes. Plus the worst shoulder pain and hip injury. This was me 100 percent.
Thank you. I've been diagnosed with PMR and initially responded well to Prednisone but I've had a relapse and have been desperately looking for answers. This was a great resource.
My brother was just diagnosed with PMR. He’s only 49 but the blood tests and bilateral shoulder and hip pain plus completely clear X-rays with joints “of a 30 year old” all point to PMR. His doctor said the age thing is a sliding scale and white Scandinavia / Northern European males are prone to it.
Diagnosed after having covid, I refused steroids, the side effects are serious, after 2 months awful pain, I’m gradually improving with gentle exercise, sleep, clean diet and occasional ibuprofen.
@@wandayonder9772 so sorry Wanda, it was like that first few months for me, I pushed through, now almost pain free. I am convinced prednisone hinders recovery.
@susibul5320 I’d love if you could share your diet modifications. I don’t want to take steroids either. Would love to hear how you progressed using natural remedies.
Just diagnosed with this and I'm very concerned about long term side effects of drugs. Hoping you said more about how to deal with them and how to successfully taper patients
Hello- Thank you for the video. I am a 48yo male who has recently been diagnosed with PMR. It is going on 4 months and is no less than excruciating and completely debilitating. My quality of life has absolutely plummeted. I am trying to avoid steroids at all costs but I am running low on options. I am doing everything possible so far. Proper exercise and stretching. Anti inflammatory supplements (not nsaids/drugs, etc.) Any advice/ supplements would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Greg, thanks for commenting. I can't really give out medical advice here. What I would say is PMR is EXTREMELY rare before the age of 50 and so I would get absolute clarification that is the diagnosis. Almost the only effective treatment currently is steroids unfortunately. They are a necessary evil at this time.
@@TheRheumatologyPhysio the diagnosis of PMR under 50 is "extremely rare" because doctors, including yourself, refuse to diagnose PMR in anyone under 50. Perhaps it's a case of self-fulfilling prophesy?
Agree. I clearly had symptoms in my 30s and was not diagnosed until late 30s. My mother had PMR. I think my whole life I watched her go through PMR but She was diagnosed in her 50s. Please try a course of prednisone to get relief, even if for a week
Does a pt ever stop having these PMR symptoms? I was diagnosed at 57 but am only drinking an anti-inflammatory as I developed diabetes. I had to stop the corticosteroids. When I am not drinking anti-inflamatory, I can bearly move by the evening.
About half of PMR resolves at 2 years but the other half continue much longer. If you continue after 2 years, 100% see a Rheumatologist and get the diagnosis reviewed
Hi, are shoulder symptoms required? I’m seeing a guy for his knee and more recently been complaining about bilateral groin pain worse in the morning but goes away completely as the day progresses. Has had shoulder pain for years, but nothing abrupt or new. Doesn’t impact his dressing or reaching. Diagnosed with PMR and now on steroids, but my gut feeling is he just had bilateral hip OA. I know this isn’t complete, but initial thoughts regarding lack of new shoulder symptoms?
10% of patients will be hip involvement only but this is pelvic girdle pain rather than specifically groin. I would tend to agree with your analysis based on the information provided
@@TheRheumatologyPhysio thank you. He did have CRP at 24 (or did he say -24, don’t recall, and sadly don’t know the numbers). So very possible it is, but I’m really not great with rheum. Again, not changing my treatment of his knee, but I did incorporate more hip stretches and positioning advice to see if that might help things. Then again, he’s on steroids so I’d expect some decrease in pain regardless with 15mg/day. Will monitor.
@@TheRheumatologyPhysio yes, he is currently seeing rheum and was given that diagnosis. After listening to this podcast over the weekend I have my doubts. Especially with the lack of new shoulder symptoms. Appreciate your help!
Does a 52 year old female with CRP 35 ESR 71 bilateral shoulder pain and stiffness, hip girdle pain and stiffness, no infection, no cancer, PMR shows on PET/CT scan as active. Case has 15 year diagnosis of AS but recent MRI shows no inflammation in SI joints. Is it PMR or AS? Thanks.
After reading the PubMed abstract, comparing those on steroids long term with an age/sex matched control group, I no longer believe steroids are as dangerous as most people believe. "with the exception of cataracts, the rates of studied morbidities linked to GC are not more common in PMR than comparators."
What you are calling "relapse" when reducing steroids with PMR seems to be a universal experience at almost every reduction, at least for a time. The steroids don't fix the condition, they control the associated pain, so how can a return of pain on reduction or withdrawal of the steroids be called a relapse?
they dont fix the condition, they suppress the resulting inflammation. The symptoms relapse. the inflammatory system self upregulates so the idea is to interrupt this process. It is not a perfect system for certain.
Would you give a woman a steroid when she already has osteoporosis? Blood test for PMR are always normal. But all symptoms for PMR are there except weight loss.
if blood tests arent there it isnt PMR. You have to weigh up the pro and cons of the steroid. There are situations where they would be necessary and some where they can be avoided
There seem to be quite a few PMR diagnoses after both vaccinations and after having COVID, both. One of the possible causes of PMR is recent exposure to infection or toxin of some kind.
Very concise and well presented. Thank you. Having searched desperately for reliable information on PMR over past couple of years it’s encouraging to hear Rheumatologists coming to the fore on this subject. Much appreciated.
Thank you for the kind words Bridget
Looking for the doctors info.. didn't see link. Great interview and can you get the podcast he refers to in the end? Also contact info.. thanks!!
I also have Ploymyalgia symptoms 3-4 weeks after the Pfizer vaccinations
I had all the symptoms, none of the doctors that I saw could figure it out. My inflammation was 28 percent. Month before I saw the right doctor …. She followed all your recommendations and dozes. Plus the worst shoulder pain and hip injury. This was me 100 percent.
I’m a physio with PMR, I’ve learnt a lot over the past 3 years !
Thank you , enjoyed this discussion. Practical advice appreciated
Thank you. I've been diagnosed with PMR and initially responded well to Prednisone but I've had a relapse and have been desperately looking for answers. This was a great resource.
My brother was just diagnosed with PMR. He’s only 49 but the blood tests and bilateral shoulder and hip pain plus completely clear X-rays with joints “of a 30 year old” all point to PMR. His doctor said the age thing is a sliding scale and white Scandinavia / Northern European males are prone to it.
goodness, he is in a rare category! It isnt impossible to occur in males under 50 but it is certainly unusual! I hope he is doing well :)
What awesomeness you are doing a wonderful work thanks 🙏
Great explanation! Thank YOU!
Diagnosed after having covid, I refused steroids, the side effects are serious, after 2 months awful pain, I’m gradually improving with gentle exercise, sleep, clean diet and occasional ibuprofen.
I could do no exercise at all without the pain being twice as bad the following day, so you have been lucky.
@@wandayonder9772 so sorry Wanda, it was like that first few months for me, I pushed through, now almost pain free. I am convinced prednisone hinders recovery.
@susibul5320 I’d love if you could share your diet modifications. I don’t want to take steroids either. Would love to hear how you progressed using natural remedies.
Most GPS are rubbish at this, they should not be a load to treat this 😊
I've had this 2 years now I it impossible to sit down on anything laying down is the only way I can get cumterfull
Thank you for you and Prof Dasgupta. What a great idea to address confusing disease what doctors struggle with.
Just diagnosed with this and I'm very concerned about long term side effects of drugs. Hoping you said more about how to deal with them and how to successfully taper patients
Hi @Bluesky7288 I am hoping to do more on this in the coming months as it is a common theme. Stay tuned!
Same
Thanks for your help in understanding my condition
Great webinar, however, it would have been really helpful to hear his thoughts on what physios can do for PMR
I spoke to him recently and the short version is - general health, shoulder function, general exercise. I am going to do more on this in 2024
Very helpful thumbs up.
fantastic interview
Thank you Juliana, I hope to get the professor back in 2024 for an update!
What has similar symptoms but one side only and have 3 autoimmune diseases already including sister disease to gca
Excellent discussion
Thank you Robert
Hello- Thank you for the video. I am a 48yo male who has recently been diagnosed with PMR. It is going on 4 months and is no less than excruciating and completely debilitating. My quality of life has absolutely plummeted. I am trying to avoid steroids at all costs but I am running low on options. I am doing everything possible so far. Proper exercise and stretching. Anti inflammatory supplements (not nsaids/drugs, etc.) Any advice/ supplements would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Greg, thanks for commenting. I can't really give out medical advice here.
What I would say is PMR is EXTREMELY rare before the age of 50 and so I would get absolute clarification that is the diagnosis.
Almost the only effective treatment currently is steroids unfortunately. They are a necessary evil at this time.
@@TheRheumatologyPhysio the diagnosis of PMR under 50 is "extremely rare" because doctors, including yourself, refuse to diagnose PMR in anyone under 50. Perhaps it's a case of self-fulfilling prophesy?
Agree. I clearly had symptoms in my 30s and was not diagnosed until late 30s. My mother had PMR. I think my whole life I watched her go through PMR but She was diagnosed in her 50s. Please try a course of prednisone to get relief, even if for a week
Does a pt ever stop having these PMR symptoms? I was diagnosed at 57 but am only drinking an anti-inflammatory as I developed diabetes. I had to stop the corticosteroids. When I am not drinking anti-inflamatory, I can bearly move by the evening.
About half of PMR resolves at 2 years but the other half continue much longer. If you continue after 2 years, 100% see a Rheumatologist and get the diagnosis reviewed
Just got pmr oddly enough just after my vaccine phizer
I am newly diagnosed Sept 2022 after 2nd Pfizer booster. They are going to be seeing alot more PMR in younger people.
Hi, are shoulder symptoms required? I’m seeing a guy for his knee and more recently been complaining about bilateral groin pain worse in the morning but goes away completely as the day progresses. Has had shoulder pain for years, but nothing abrupt or new. Doesn’t impact his dressing or reaching.
Diagnosed with PMR and now on steroids, but my gut feeling is he just had bilateral hip OA. I know this isn’t complete, but initial thoughts regarding lack of new shoulder symptoms?
10% of patients will be hip involvement only but this is pelvic girdle pain rather than specifically groin. I would tend to agree with your analysis based on the information provided
@@TheRheumatologyPhysio thank you. He did have CRP at 24 (or did he say -24, don’t recall, and sadly don’t know the numbers). So very possible it is, but I’m really not great with rheum. Again, not changing my treatment of his knee, but I did incorporate more hip stretches and positioning advice to see if that might help things. Then again, he’s on steroids so I’d expect some decrease in pain regardless with 15mg/day. Will monitor.
@@ydubin 24 not that high, has he seen Rheumatology? That would be what I do. He will definitely get better on that prednisolone regardless!
@@TheRheumatologyPhysio yes, he is currently seeing rheum and was given that diagnosis. After listening to this podcast over the weekend I have my doubts. Especially with the lack of new shoulder symptoms. Appreciate your help!
Does a 52 year old female with CRP 35 ESR 71 bilateral shoulder pain and stiffness, hip girdle pain and stiffness, no infection, no cancer, PMR shows on PET/CT scan as active. Case has 15 year diagnosis of AS but recent MRI shows no inflammation in SI joints. Is it PMR or AS? Thanks.
Most likely a development of the AS
Really helpful, thank you
After reading the PubMed abstract, comparing those on steroids long term with an age/sex matched control group, I no longer believe steroids are as dangerous as most people believe. "with the exception of cataracts, the rates of studied morbidities linked to GC are not more common in PMR than comparators."
Yes i have been on steroids on and off for many years add giant first
What you are calling "relapse" when reducing steroids with PMR seems to be a universal experience at almost every reduction, at least for a time. The steroids don't fix the condition, they control the associated pain, so how can a return of pain on reduction or withdrawal of the steroids be called a relapse?
they dont fix the condition, they suppress the resulting inflammation. The symptoms relapse. the inflammatory system self upregulates so the idea is to interrupt this process. It is not a perfect system for certain.
Very interesting, just been diagnosed with pmr
Would you give a woman a steroid when she already has osteoporosis? Blood test for PMR are always normal. But all symptoms for PMR are there except weight loss.
if blood tests arent there it isnt PMR. You have to weigh up the pro and cons of the steroid. There are situations where they would be necessary and some where they can be avoided
@@TheRheumatologyPhysio ,my Dr said that some people have normal blood test when testing for PMR.
@@DeborahTriplett-n3l that is rare, maybe 2% of cases
Diagnosed after AstraZeneca
There seem to be quite a few PMR diagnoses after both vaccinations and after having COVID, both. One of the possible causes of PMR is recent exposure to infection or toxin of some kind.