For about 18 months I have had frozen shoulder in my right shoulder for which I was having physio. I am left handed. Last November I had cold, fever and sore throat and self-medicated in the usual way, i.e. paracetamol and sugar free Halls mentholatus and sugar free robotussin. got over it, thought no more about it, Christmas coming busy time etc. In December I woke up in middle of night with cramping pain at back of my upper right leg, and my hips hurting. It seemed to be sciatica, went to doctor who gave me some cocodomol. Which didn't help. Gradually my back, lower ribs, both collar bones and shoulder blades and my left arm started hurting worse and worse and I started to get more pains in my right arm and shoulder which seemed different from the frozen shoulder problem. A friend told me she had similar symptoms and it turned out to be caused by statins which I had been on for 9 years. I went to my doctor and he told me to come off them immediately and said it would take about a month to return to normal. He sent me for the CK Test but has not notified me of the Test result. He also said I should have the right shoulder operated on. Two days later I went for a final physio review and discharge pending surgery. This time I saw the top man in the Department and when I outlined the above he said that he believed I had Polymyalgia Rheuatica, PMR. He said I would need further blood tests to confirm but that it responded very well to a specific treatment - ~ good - then he told me the treatment was prednisolone, a corticosteroid. Oh dear! He said he was writing to my Doctor accordingly.
I am going to see my Doctor for follow up next week. I take 4 x 500g Metformin a day plus 1 Januvia. Plus 75 mcg levothyroxine as I also have hypothyroid. Since I started taking the Januvia last year my weight has come down, my control has improved and I have been working since Christmas to make it all even better. If I have to go on steroids I realise this will be a knock back this has somewhat upset me although I am normally quite a cheerful person. I like to keep busy but can barely lift my arms at the moment , getting up in the morning is a work of art which requires careful planning. Fortunately my hips and upper legs are stiff more than painful so I can still walk about. I am a widow, my only child works long unsocial hours and lives about an hour away. I have two dear little dogs which I got for company after I lost my darling husband nearly 6 years ago and I have to take responsibility for their needs. My 21 year old grandson lives with me but he also works hard, long unsocial hours and much as I love him, is as much use around the house as a chocolate teapot!
I am quite frightened by all this at the moment. It has taken me nearly two hours this morning to prepare a chicken casserole to go in the slow cooker, something - no pun intended - I could normally do with one arm tied behind my back. Any positive advice anyone could give me would be much appreciated and yes - I am going to nag my grandson for starters when he gets home tonight. My niece who has fibromyalgia tells me that the myalgias are often linked to the thyroid problem. Both thyroid problems and diabetes are endemic in my family (at least 9 people) on my late father's side. He died from septicemia , from a sore on his foot which travelled right up his leg, because he stopped taking his medication and ate anything and everything, knowing full well he was diabetic. Selfish old devil, he was. He refused to tell the doctor about the sore until it was too late. He knew what would happen, he swore his third wife to secrecy. I told myself then I would not subject my family to that so I want to not let my diabetes get out of control. Sorry if this sounds like an almighty whinge. I want an action plan so I can set goals and bepositive!
I am going to see my Doctor for follow up next week. I take 4 x 500g Metformin a day plus 1 Januvia. Plus 75 mcg levothyroxine as I also have hypothyroid. Since I started taking the Januvia last year my weight has come down, my control has improved and I have been working since Christmas to make it all even better. If I have to go on steroids I realise this will be a knock back this has somewhat upset me although I am normally quite a cheerful person. I like to keep busy but can barely lift my arms at the moment , getting up in the morning is a work of art which requires careful planning. Fortunately my hips and upper legs are stiff more than painful so I can still walk about. I am a widow, my only child works long unsocial hours and lives about an hour away. I have two dear little dogs which I got for company after I lost my darling husband nearly 6 years ago and I have to take responsibility for their needs. My 21 year old grandson lives with me but he also works hard, long unsocial hours and much as I love him, is as much use around the house as a chocolate teapot!
I am quite frightened by all this at the moment. It has taken me nearly two hours this morning to prepare a chicken casserole to go in the slow cooker, something - no pun intended - I could normally do with one arm tied behind my back. Any positive advice anyone could give me would be much appreciated and yes - I am going to nag my grandson for starters when he gets home tonight. My niece who has fibromyalgia tells me that the myalgias are often linked to the thyroid problem. Both thyroid problems and diabetes are endemic in my family (at least 9 people) on my late father's side. He died from septicemia , from a sore on his foot which travelled right up his leg, because he stopped taking his medication and ate anything and everything, knowing full well he was diabetic. Selfish old devil, he was. He refused to tell the doctor about the sore until it was too late. He knew what would happen, he swore his third wife to secrecy. I told myself then I would not subject my family to that so I want to not let my diabetes get out of control. Sorry if this sounds like an almighty whinge. I want an action plan so I can set goals and bepositive!
