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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Polymyalgia Rheumatica

My mother is 80 y/o and has been diagnosed with polymylasia. She is currently taking 50mg of predisone. She called me and said she took her blood pressure and it read 178/80. She lives alone, should she go to the ER or wait and retake her bp. Her blood pressure is usually normal levels.
Fri, 10 Apr 2015
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Orthopaedic Surgeon 's  Response
Hi , Polymyalgia is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs called corticosteroids they do improve the symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica, but these drugs require careful monitoring for serious side effects.
Long-term use of corticosteroids can result in a number of serious side effects. Your doctor will monitor you closely for potential problems. He or she may adjust your dosage and prescribe treatments to manage these reactions to corticosteroid treatment. Side effects include:

Weight gain. This is a common side effect of corticosteroid therapy.
Osteoporosis, the loss of bone density and weakening of bones, which increases the risk of bone fractures.
High blood pressure (hypertension), which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
High cholesterol, which also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Diabetes, chronic high levels of blood sugar that can cause tissue damage in a number of body systems.
Cataracts, a clouding of the lenses of your eyes that can cloud or dim your vision .
So be under direct contact with your doctor.
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Physical Therapist or Physiotherapist Niraj Modi's  Response
Polymylgia rhematica is inflammatory condition affecting mainly different muscles in body and due to this patient will have symptoms like pain, stiffness in muscle, loss of range in different joints, mild to low grade fever, loss of appetite, depression etc.
Treatment is with antiinflammatory cortico steroid can be given. But patient need to be under supervision for possible side effect of cortico steroid like high blood pressure, osteoporosis, high cholesterol, weight gain, diabetes, cataract.

Your doctor will also suggest calcium and vitamin D to reduce the shortage of it in body. And as per her age also she is suppose to take this.

Other medication are immuno suppressant like methotrexate can be used to reduce auto immune inflammation.

I suggest you should sit and discuss with your doctor and plan for treatment as per her age and possible side effect of treatment( medication )

She can also take physiotherapy treatment for some more relaxing effect on soft tissues.
As well can also use cold pack on painful soft tissue for relaxing as well anti inflammatory effects of it.
Here you have mention her blood pressure is 178/80. I think it's not taken properly. So I suggest to retake it and if it comes again high then do consult physician immediately.

Take care.
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Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
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Suggest Treatment For Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Hi , Polymyalgia is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs called corticosteroids they do improve the symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica, but these drugs require careful monitoring for serious side effects. Long-term use of corticosteroids can result in a number of serious side effects. Your doctor will monitor you closely for potential problems. He or she may adjust your dosage and prescribe treatments to manage these reactions to corticosteroid treatment. Side effects include: Weight gain. This is a common side effect of corticosteroid therapy. Osteoporosis, the loss of bone density and weakening of bones, which increases the risk of bone fractures. High blood pressure (hypertension), which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. High cholesterol, which also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Diabetes, chronic high levels of blood sugar that can cause tissue damage in a number of body systems. Cataracts, a clouding of the lenses of your eyes that can cloud or dim your vision . So be under direct contact with your doctor.