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Another new PMR or PRED problem needs some study and comment to help live with.

Posted , 4 users are following.

paul45653
paul45653

Most of my PMR/Pred based pain and stiffnes areas have been upper legs hips, back, neck. I have somewhat learned to deal with them other than the differential diagnosis problem with the spinal stenosis making it difficult to know what you are treating. In this case I have started a knee problem on the right side which comes on at night and now needs therapy at night such as heat or ice pack to get back to sleep. I'm looking for experiences with knees to separate a real joint problem from good old PMR or overuse and of course old age, which includes me trying to stay on the tennis court until they carry me off.

Paul

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • artfingers
    artfingers paul45653

    Posted

    Yes, it is difficult to determine where the pain is coming from with knees and in your case, with two diseases as well. In my case, I saw an orthopedic doctor who was able to diagnose what he called "mechanical issues" i.e. torn meniscus in each knee and that was a quick fix with arthroscopic surgery.  The doctor was able to sort it out via symptoms and xrays initially.  I just had left knee arthro done and was up and much better a few days later.  Right knee surgery is in three weeks.  I also realized, belatedly, I should have stayed on my prednisone dose throughout it (I was only on 5 mg) so next surgery I'll stay on it. Thankfully, they also gave me additional steroids thru IV on the day of surgery knowing it would be a shock to my system.  I'm so very hopeful now that I may even be back running and hiking up mountains, I can't give that up!  I know how you feel.  I had been so despondent until they sorted out the PMR and then the torn knee cartilage (meniscus).  I hope it works out for you!
    • paul45653
      paul45653 artfingers

      Posted

      Thanks Artfingers,

      It gets more confusing when the pain dissapears during the day and I'm ready to go at it but wondering what is going on in that knee. If it was mechanical, I would not be able to continue the activity, but I'm still very wary and will wrap it good for safety.

  • EileenH
    EileenH paul45653

    Posted

    Ah well - if you want to play tennis it's a whole new ball game!  ;-)

    Sorry - redface

    I'd suggest giving a Bowen therapist a try - they can often relieve knee problems and I'd say you had little to lose.

    • paul45653
      paul45653 EileenH

      Posted

      I have found several Bowen therapists in the book here in Sacramento but will have to have a chat with them and then dive in for a try. I'm sure they are not all created equal.
  • debbie27473
    debbie27473 paul45653

    Posted

    Hi Paul. I can truly sympathise. I also have PMR alongside Spinal Stenosis and like you, have trouble distinguishing which condition is causing which pain! It doesn't help that my speciallists don't seem to know either! I experience knee pain (diagnosed with x-rays as rhuematoid arthritis) after I try to do things too quickly, especially stairs. Once the pain starts, it is present for two to three days no matter what I do. Then it settles down again until the next time. I have had a spinal cord stimulator implant this year for the stenosis with 'iffy' results. At the moment I have a new pain in my upper thighs which I think is a new nerve compression (possibly the L2) but reading the forum makes me wonder if this is pmr related instead. I get very confused with it all. Congrats on still playing tennis by the way. I had to give that up a few years ago. Very upsetting!

    Take care, Debbie

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