Suggest Treatment For Chronic Polymyalgia Pain Despite Taking Medication

Posted on Tue, 11 Aug 2015

Question: Hi I am a70 year old female have been diagnosed with polymyalgia 10 years ago,i have been using prednisone varied doses over the years,as hi as 25mg per day also100mg Zoloft.Over the last 4 years I have had no success prednisone I worry about a higher dose,i have no side effects,i have regular bone scans,kidney and liver are fine,i have on and of over the last few years been in and out of hospital with the pain,how much endone and panadeine fort can you take,morphine patches,chiropractor,tens machine acupuncture,hypnosis.I am at my wits end with the pain,hope you can shed some light XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You will need to take steroids.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,

Thank you for posting your query on HCM.

Well looking into your problem I would like to tell you that polymyalgia responds wonderfully to steroid and you dont have to worry about side effects as you say that you are regularly being monitored for the same and havent got any till now .

Opioids as you mention are safer pain killers and would be the best option for you . You can try tramadol if morphine doesnt suit you .Your doctor needs to monitor your disease activity with ESR and then taper the steroid dose accordingly .

Rest any concerns please let me know . I agree its difficult for you but you need to cope some how.

Take care.

Dr. Shruti

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar