- Polymyalgia Rheumatica
- Interviews
dianne barnes's interview
How did all start?
Unsure. Was having issues with pain and fatigue since 2016.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
Yes. Was diagnosed recently after almost 4 years of having pain/inflammation.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
Too many. Even had a right knee replacement that right now after realizing my pain was inflammation might not have needed. I have seen my PCP and orthopaedic surgeons. It was this past March (2020) that an ER MD took my CRP levels to find they were at 95.9. I was referred to a Rheumatologist and 3 days later had an appointment. Labs were done, assessment was made...I am now diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica.
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Knowing what is wrong with me.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Getting a diagnosis.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
Have not had any issues with social/family environment. My adult daughter who lives with me has been doing everything outside the home; concerned that especially now with the Pandemic I will get sicker. (On Prednisone right now)
What things have you stopped doing?
Working. I am a Registered Nurse. I worked 40 hrs/week full time up to this past March.
What do you think about the future?
I just want to get this disease resolved (read it is self limiting) and within 6 months to a year get back to work.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
All of them. I have lived (?)
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
Get back to work.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
Happy.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
If the pain you feel is more of an inflammatory feeling, have MD check your ESR and CRP levels.
