6 months off Pred

Posted , 11 users are following.

I had tapered down to zero by the middle of May. Appointment with specialist was cancelled by the hospital, just received another appointment for December. Since being off Pred, some stiffness has returned, but this is not painful. However I have been left with muscle weakness, particularly in my left arm. What is concerning and I don't know if it is PMR related is for certain actions I get a pain (bit like a (toothache) in my left arm . My wife suggests this is a shoulder problem. This could be true as trying to lift my arm above shoulder height is painful. Thoughts appreciated

1 like, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    Something to check with your doctor - but unilateral pain with PMR is unusual and it sounds more like a spur or something in the shoulder joint. Early frozen shoulder sounds a possibility:

    https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-a-frozen-shoulder#1

    It isn't unusual for PMR to be diagnosed as frozen shoulder at first if it starts in one shoulder.

    • Posted

      PS - frozen shoulder is said to respond well to Bowen therapy. I found it helped keep mobile with PMR.

  • Posted

    David Hi,

    i don't know your age, but there is a certain age when most of us get those niggling pains ...

    have a word with you Dr when you are there ..

    I had those occasional pains long before PMR...I'm

    76 years old

    Congratulations you are off pred ...well done ...

  • Posted

    Hi David, I have something similar on my right side and have been diagnosed by my physio as having Rotator cuff syndrome which is a shoulder problem but the pain occurs mostly in the long muscles on either side of my upper arm, and I find it hard to lift my arm above my shoulder too. It is slowly improving with physio and gentle exercise. The important thing is not to lose too much of the range of movement in your shoulder joint. I went to a sports physio and he has been very helpful.

  • Posted

    Hi David

    I am a physio in MSK (musculo skeletal) field who also has PMR. You don't say your age but it's common in the over 60 age group to get shoulder problems relating to the rotator cuff (musculo tendinous support around the shoulder joint) as this structure thins with age and can lead to restriction of movement and pain on certain movements - often this is lifting above shoulder height and reaching behind the back. If the pain is not constant in the morning ie is activity related, sounds more like a muscle/joint issue than a return of your PMR (especially if your symptom picture with onset of PMR was bilateral shoulder stiffness, worse in AM etc. as per common presentation).

    Additionally you don't say how long you have taken to taper, but I have found (from being a previously very fit 59 year old) that with the PMR/pred I have some symptoms in joints such as my hands which I didn't have before, but where I know I have osteoarthitic changes, as thought the pred highlights any other problems. Plus I have lost fitness as when you are feeling rotten and in pain, you don't exercise so quickly lose strength and fitness. The same may be true for you.

    My advice would be to see a good physio.

    Good luck

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