I'm not at all sure if this post will help any of my blog buddies but I wanted to share what we've learned so far.
(and I saw an eagle this week!)
My husband was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica and from what we've read, it fits perfectly with what happened to him.
Most of you know that we lead a very active lifestyle. We've enjoyed living here in the South where we can get outside and walk, buy lots of fresh organic produce and lead a healthy happy lifestyle. We both volunteer in our community and live in a friendly neighborhood. So what happened to us?
One night my husband went to bed after a normal day and woke up with every joint in his body sore. The following day they were worse and then the next day they were so painful that he could hardly move. He couldn't get comfortable no matter what he tried. He stood up a lot. We had no idea what had caused it or what do to do about it. Rest....take it easy? We are fortunate to have someone in our family in the medical field (thanks J!) so we got in contact with him and he gave us lots of information and sent us to the right doctor, a Rheumatologist.
Now after lots of tests and a few appointments we have a diagnosis and proper medication. We still have lots of issues to face, especially the dramatic weight loss but my husband is not in the pain he was a month ago. He's able to do most of the things he enjoys. We still haven't gone on a hike yet but we'll have to work up to that.
I thought some of the best information about the cause of Polymyalgia Rheumatica was in Wikipedia,
"The cause of PMR is not well understood. The pain and stiffness result
from the activity of inflammatory cells and proteins that are normally a
part of the body's disease-fighting immune system, and the inflammatory
activity seems to be concentrated in tissues surrounding the affected
joints. During this disorder, the white blood cells in the body attack the lining of the joints, causing inflammation."
And with inflammation there is pain! It's been a real blessing to have all of your prayers and to have advice from family and of course a good doctor here locally. We are very thankful for our lives and look forward to happy times ahead.
I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.
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49 comments:
Good morning, I am happy your hubby was finally diagnosed and he is on meds that will help his pain and the cause. I hope he is feeling better and can go out on your hikes soon. Thank God for great doctors.
Happy Thursday, enjoy your day!
I am so glad you got a diagnosis and treatment. What a painful journey this has been. Continued love and prayers for you.
I've never heard of this. Is this something that clears up but can flare up again? I'm glad to hear he's feeling a little better already. xo
I'm thankful that your husband has a diagnosis and that the medicine is helping. I will continue to pray for both of you. May God bless.
Diane, Thank God. I hope you know how very lucky you are to have a diagnoses so quickly...usually it's many tests and many meds and many guesses from doctors who do not know. I am wishing your husband a return to good health. I am going to read up on this and maybe it would be helpful just to know. Blessings and hugs, xoxo, Susie
p.s. I found a lavender flower (weed) the other day. :):)
I am glad you got a definitive diagnosis. Its a terrible time when you're waiting and not knowing. And too it sounds like your husband has excellent medical care, thank heavens for that. That and your support and TLC of course.
Auto-immune diseases are quite complicated; I have Lupus and deal with similar issues your husband experienced. Thankfully there are medications and a following a regimen of exercise and a balanced diet helps. Sending healing love to you and your hubby, XOXO
I have severe RA and the symptoms sound the same but I was diagnosed back in 94. Then I got Graves disease and almost went blind...another autoimmune disease. I have been drug free for a year and 1/2 but I had 2 autoimmune diseases and osteoporosis from all the steroids I was on before the meds kicked in. It had taken me years to get back on my feet but it looks like your husband is recouping faster so that is a great sign! All that healthy living gives you an edge up in fighting whatever! So glad to hear you know what you're dealing with!
I am glad you have at least some answers. I have suffered with Rheumatoid Arthritis for over 20 years and that is enough for me. I have been able to get off of all medicines with a specialized diet, but I know y'all eat healthy NOW. My biggest triggers have been gluten and high fructose corn syrup. I have no idea if it is at all related, but I hope your hubby is able to get up and get moving again. That pain stuff is no good. I will keep you in my prayers that he will continue to improve.
Diane-I'm so thankful to hear that your husband has been diagnosed and can now move forward with treatment! I will continue to pray that he will soon be back doing the activities that you both enjoy so much. The Lord is so good.
My goodness, Diane, you both have had quite a journey getting to the bottom of this illness. I'm so glad that with this diagnosis you all can deal with getting better. Here's to better days ahead. ♥
So glad for an answer. Praying all the information will lead to healing!!
Isn't it strange the things that can happen to us overnight. I went to bed one night and woke up in the morning with "stationary vertigo". Dizzy all the time now.
I'm so glad that your husband has been properly diagnosed. Thank goodness there's medication that can help with the treatment. Praying for his continued improvement Diane. Take care,
Wendy
So thankful that he received a proper diagnosis and is receiving proper treatment. As you know, it can be pretty debilitating and serious. Don't ask me how I know.
Continued prayers
That is good to have a diagnosis and now be able to do things to help ease the pain. Take care, and stay positive.
So sorry to hear this, just glad you had quick diagnosis and much pain relief.
Hugs
I am so pleased to read that you now have a diagnosis, with medical help and even your own research, I pray that you can now move on and be able to control and help with the pain and stiffness your husband has been experiencing.
My thoughts and prayers are with you both ...
Please enjoy the rest of the week.
Here in the UK we have had some Spring like weather and it has been so lovely to be out and about.
Take care, my good wishes
All the best Jan
Hi, happy to know that he is feeling better.. big hug to you..
Please visit: http://from-a-girls-mind.blogspot.com
It's great you found a right doctor and the right diagnosis.Things are bound to get better!Blessings and patience!AriadnefromGreece!
Wow Diane, I'm glad you finally have some answers to your husbands health problems and pray the medications will help control them. At least you live in a climate where you can be active all year and hopefully he will be able to get back to his normal routine very soon. Take care. Blessings. Pam
It's good to have answers. Sending more prayers your way for continued improvement.
(((Hugs)))
I am glad you got some answers. That is almost exactly what I was diagnosed with years ago. They called it Inflammatory arthritis. The immune system goes crazy and attacks itself. The good thing is that you can get it into a restive state and it can stay there for years. Since my first big flare I have had two smaller ones and caught them before they were full-blown. Blessings to him---I know his pain all too well. It even hit my eyes! xo Diana
As soon as I saw your post title I figured it must be his diagnosis. It sounds like a really challenging condition with all the pain and weight loss but I bet you are thankful for what it's not, and that you finally have a name for what is going on and can have a plan for treating it. It sounds like you have such a good attitude and hope for the future and walking together again!
So glad you found out what it was and that you both will be able to get back to your life.
Cathy
I am so glad to hear that your husband has received relief from his pain. Although that is a diagnosis he would rather not have, I imagine there is some piece of mind knowing what the problem is.
Hello Diane. I'm so glad that you were pointed in the right direction and got some conclusive answers. And I'm even more glad that the treatment is helping. What intricate workings go on in our bodies! Thanks be to God.
It's always good news to get some answers and be able to start feeling better. Here's to healthier days ahead.
So glad that Mr. Lavender Dreams is feeling better. Yes, I have actually heard of that type of RA. The type I have is also painful sometimes. Weight loss, soreness, etc... Always praying for you both.
Good heavens, what an odd thing to afflict a healthy and active man! At least it was diagnosed and medication made available. Poor guy, I hope he's feeling much better soon so you two can get out hiking again sis.
xx
So glad to read you finally have some answers. I hope he. Continues to improve and you can resume your "normal lifestyle."
Hello,
I am praying for you both. I am happy you have some answers.
May you be back to hiking again soon.
Love you,
Carla
Oh, I am sorry he has this disease, but so thankful you found out and that there is some relief for the pain.
Finally, an answer! I am so sorry he has to go through this.....but so thankful he's been diagnosed and is on medication to either help him and/or stop/help the pain. Y'all have been in my thoughts the past couple days....I'm glad to hear he's feeling better and I sure hope y'all are back to your walks real soon! I know how y'all love your walking, as we do here. We especially love it this time of year, before the bad heat arrives. When that happens, we become night walkers...it's just too bad in the high heat of the day.
Glad to hear there is a diagnosis and the recovery can begin. I hope things continue to improve each day, for your husband. Thanks for linking up and have a great weekend.
Diane, I am glad that your doctor was able to diagnose your husband's health problems and come up with a treatment. I hope that gives you both some peace of mind. It is so scary not knowing what is wrong. Thank you so much for the update and I'm glad your husband is feeling better. xo
I have never heard of this- but I am so glad that you found the right doctor and good treatment. Have a wonderful weekend!
Hello Diane, I am so glad to read tonight that your husband has a diagnosis. There is little worse than not knowing what is going on and when we do not know, we think the worst! I am thankful that he is getting the proper medication and feeling some better. We will just keep praying for him and sending our well wishes his way. Thank you for letting us know. We didn't want to keep asking, but we were so concerned. Hope you both have a wonderful weekend!
Such a difficult diagnosis to receive for someone so active, and for no warning signs or difficulties, normal one night and in pain the next day, how scary for you all! So thankful you finally got a diagnosis and medication! I will continue praying for both of you, hard to endure these kind of life changes, but praying the Lord will be with you and help you both!
Having been diagnosed last year with fibromyalgia and knowing what living with constant pain is like, I feel for your husband. I can tell you diet and exercise do help the fibro. Hopefully you find the same with his condition.
I'm sorry to hear your husband is going through all of this, Diane, and so glad he's not in the pain he was in before. This sounds like rheumatoid arthritis, I wonder if it's similar? I hope you both will be able to go on your walks and hikes soon. I bet you miss them very much. Thinking of you.
love, ~Sheri
I am so grateful you have a diagnosis and treatment plan and that the pain has subsided. That's just dreadful. I'm hoping that now you know, things will move forward and this will get resolved in a way that brings your lives back to normal.
Sometimes just getting the diagnosis is half the battle. I'm so glad to read you know what you are dealing with, so he can get the best care and treatment. Small steps...
I had not heard of this condition before reading your post. Inflammation causes a lot of problems and I am glad your hubby is getting good treatment.
My father had this, but after a period of time he was able to go back to his normal life. I'm hoping the same for your husband.
I'm glad I scrolled back to this post, and glad to hear you have a diagnosis and some treatment. I'm sorry you've had to go through this, and will pray that he is feeling better every day and healing. Happy Easter to you. xo Deborah
what a tough thing to manage. All the best.
y hubby has cancer we are watching carefully.
Diane,
So happy to hear you finally have a diagnosis so your husband can start receiving the necessary treatments to get him on the mend.Sounds like the Dr. has a plan and that your husband is already feeling so much better. I am so happy for you both. Sending love....think of you often!
xo
Linda
Such wonderful news to have a diagnosis! So happy for the both of you. At least now you know what you are up against and how to have some relief!
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