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My Sister Is 50 Years Old And She Has Been
Question: My sister is 50 years old and she has been diagnosed with Polymyalgia rheumatica...she has shoulder pain, neck and body pain..due to which she is unable to perform her daily activities. what are the possible treatments?
Brief Answer:
Corticosteroids will be helpful.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir
Thank you for asking ask a doctor service
I have gone through your query with diligence. Polymyalgia rheumatica is a chronic disease. We can achieve remission by proper therapy.
Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment. It can be given in small doses. Long term treatment is necessary. You can continue the other drugs methotrexate (folitrax) and HCQ. But regular follow up with rheumatologist and LFT blood test monthly once is necessary.
You should also take vitamin D3 supplements weekly. Physical therapy like regular exercises is good. You can go for cardio exercises. Swimming is also a good option.
Let me know if anything not clear.
I am happy to help you.
Thanks.
Corticosteroids will be helpful.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir
Thank you for asking ask a doctor service
I have gone through your query with diligence. Polymyalgia rheumatica is a chronic disease. We can achieve remission by proper therapy.
Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment. It can be given in small doses. Long term treatment is necessary. You can continue the other drugs methotrexate (folitrax) and HCQ. But regular follow up with rheumatologist and LFT blood test monthly once is necessary.
You should also take vitamin D3 supplements weekly. Physical therapy like regular exercises is good. You can go for cardio exercises. Swimming is also a good option.
Let me know if anything not clear.
I am happy to help you.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you doctor for the quick answer. Her challenge is that she is unable to walk properly due to this pain. What could be the another alternate apart from cardio and swimming. Also, when you say long term treatment is necessary, how long it takes to get cured? Are the medicines she is taking can she continue with that or should we consult any other doctor?
Brief Answer:
Steroids can be tapered to low dose.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome again.
Thank you for your follow-up query.
Corticosteroids can be tapered to low dose and stopped. Methotrexate with present dosage can be continued for 1 month and then gradually reduced to low dosage like 5 mg. Chronic disease like Polymyalgia rheumatica has remission and exacerbation stage. So our aim of treatment is to attain remission in first phase of treatment and then in following phase of treatment is to avoid exacerbation.
So Medicines can't be stopped fully. Once attained remission stage ( completely devoid of symptoms) low dose medicines should be continued.
If you are seeing a Rheumatologist then you can continue consulting him.
Thanks.
Steroids can be tapered to low dose.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome again.
Thank you for your follow-up query.
Corticosteroids can be tapered to low dose and stopped. Methotrexate with present dosage can be continued for 1 month and then gradually reduced to low dosage like 5 mg. Chronic disease like Polymyalgia rheumatica has remission and exacerbation stage. So our aim of treatment is to attain remission in first phase of treatment and then in following phase of treatment is to avoid exacerbation.
So Medicines can't be stopped fully. Once attained remission stage ( completely devoid of symptoms) low dose medicines should be continued.
If you are seeing a Rheumatologist then you can continue consulting him.
Thanks.
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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