Advice needed on knee pain with PMR

Knee pain can absolutely be a symtom of PMR.  I had a flare up about 6 months ago where I couldn't even get from my bedroom to the bathroom.  Horrible pain in my knees and legs.  I also have had pain (not at the onsett of PMR) over the last year or so in my shoulders, hands, wrists, ankles.  I never know where it will strike as it's not always in the same part of my body.  I have blamed it on gardening, too much baking (kneading the dough), too much heavy duty cleaning, etc.  The bottom line is, while this doing these things may not have helped, they are not the root of the problem - it's my PMR.  You have other issues going on that may also be contributing (I, too have an underactive thyroid; have had it for 15 years but I don't think that has anything to do with my joints) to your problems.  Different meds can affect musclels, joints, etc.  If your Rheumatologist finds your X-rays are normal; a higher dose of prednisone might be recommended by doctor. 

Hi Anne, sadly I cannot answer your question, as I too have exactly the same confusion and would love to know the answer like you. I have PMR and had breast cancer at the same time PMR was diagnosed - same as you. Over the 33 months I have been on Pred, I too find walking difficult, have bad lower back pain etc. although I do know that I have arthritis in my spine and hip (knees OK for me). The other thing I suffer badly from are constant UTIs despite urethral dilation and these really drag me down, especially as I am allergic to most antibiotics. The urologist says that Pred often encourages UTIs. I do know that muscles are weakened by Pred, so that will be a contributory factor to your pain. I am sure others with more knowledge will hopefully answer your questions. Good luck.

What you describe isn't typical of PMR per se but could be typical of some of the add-ons. If it were the PMR I'd have expected it to be present alongside the PMR. However, bursitis is definitely typical of PMR - and it is possible your activities have triggered some "housemaid's knee". Certainly if you kneel to garden or do any housework that is a possibility. The other thing that makes me think it isn't the PMR pure and simple is that naproxen helps - it rarely seems to help PMR. 

Not all drug reactions happen immediately, sometime they do take a while to manifest. 

Once you start walking "wrong" it doesn't take long for the effects to cause back/knee/hip problems. And back problems can have a dramatic effect on hips and knees.

I think for the moment you have to wait for the x-ray results and what they show. 

Your description of assorted pain mirrors what most of us live with.   i've had

PMR for almost three years and never know which pain is caused by what

problem.   I'm 79 with some arthritis and herniated disc in back so not sure

what is causing which pain.  Chiro says I have rotated pelvis which makes me

walk in an unsteady manner.....I started using a walker because I really don't want

to fall.   I wish I had some wonderful advice for you....wait for x'rays and

see what doc says....  Hard to live with these issues.

Hello Anne

Until you have your xray results it is difficult to say what is the cause of the knee pain. Your do not mention having pain anywhere else. if you have pain in the groin for example the knee pain is often referred pain and can occur in a healthy knee.

Thanks all for your comments.  They help me to be able to ask questions of my doctors.  And it is nice meeting the several on here who have the additional medical issues I have.  Helps to talk to people with the same issues!  I will definitely wait for the xray results and am crossing my fingers they may give a clue.  I did have what I think was the start up of a flare because my upper body was acting up which is why I went back up to 7 mg pred.  I have had a really tough time starting at 7.5 pred and probably rushed the reductions.  And my PMR was fairly pronounced in the groin versus the arms and was the last part to respond.  At this point, I am really confused about the pain and stiffness, so will wait for the doctor to get back to me.  And Eileen, your expertise and helpfulness is a godsend.  As are you all!

Just thought I'd write an update on where I am in sorting out what is causing pain.  Well, the sorting is not done, but I may be getting somewhere.  Xray showed knee joint swelling and a little bit of arthritis.  I also had an MRI which showed torn menisci, arthritis and a baker's cyst.  I was told the torn menisci are typical for someone my age, 61, and that the thing to treat is the arthritis with the recommendation a cortisone shot. 

I am holding off on any action because I strongly feel I need to wait until I am off prednisone and my pmr is over because I really do think the knee pain is due to several factors.  I NEVER had any pain before my medical issues began last year and I never had arthritis.  I think the combinations of conditions and medicines is contributing towards the pain and things will sort themselves out one way or another eventually.  A few nsaid's a week help, so I think I should just continue on that course. 

Of course, I could be totally wrong and I am not a doctor so any comments or other ideas are welcome!