Does PMR always cause shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain was my symptom also.  Now over two years later, i am off pred - BUT - I am experiencing over all stiffness and joint pain which i NEVER had before PMS.    Can PMS turn into Fibromyalgia?  And if so, what are the differences.  Some of the pharmacy ads which deal with joint, muscle meds promise relief (Lyrica) but the warnings are very off putting and frightening.  I am instead thinking of trying to increase my endurance as a method of eliminating these unwanted new pains.  Any thoughts about this?

Can't give you a definitive answer, but I had no shoulder pains, very little upper back pains. My pain (and now my stiffness) is concentrated in the lower back, hips, and thighs.

Yes, I'd say that shoulder pain is the most common, based on my own experience with PMR and from what I've read here and elsewhere.  However, I don't think it's required to have shoulder pain in order to confirm PMR.  For example, when I was diagnosed 7 months ago my major pain was in the shoulders, biceps, knees and upper thighs along with the fatigue and missing stamina.  A month ago I had a major flare up and the worst pain was in my hands, feet and biceps.  Shoulders were fine.  With earlier flares I had some shoulder pain but nothing like when I was originally diagnosed.  PMR doesn't necessarily fight fair or predictably.

If your doctor puts you on Prednisone and you see a dramatic difference within 24-48 hours, for me that is a high indicator that it is PMR.  I'm sure that others with much more experience will have better opinions and information than mine but I'd bet they say similar things.

Hi Susan, I have been diagnosed with PMR based on blood tests and my descriptions  to the doctor of very tight/sore back of legs and upper arms. Couldn't raise my arms to brush my hair, in the evening a burning sensation in my uppper arms. No energy because I hurt so much. I was living on Iburfrophrin. After seeing the doctor three weeks later she prescribed Pred 20 mg and after the first one the pain melted away. I called it the miracle pill!! I didn't know then how difficult it would be to get off or the nasty side effects  so to answer your question, no I have not experienced any shoulder pain and hope that continues. My pains are always in my legs. I've just done a lot of gardening and bending down reminds me of my limitations. Great stiffness behind the knees. What I read is that this PMR seems to be different for everyone. I only hope it doesn't get worse as we age. Good luck and a big THANK YOU to all the folks who make this such a great forum and for all the people who make it work!!!  

 

Not in reality - although to read the stuff in much of the literature everyone has shoulder pain, it doesn't HAVE be the case. My shoulders were stiff, they didn't hurt though. Hip and shoulder girdle stiffess/pain is common but it may be one or the other and, rarely, neither.

Everyone is different! Even the blood tests aren't conclusive - up to 1 in 5 patients do not have raised ESR/CRP. 

Hi there

I was diagnosed last December and I've never had shoulder pain, just pain behind my knees and weakness in my right wrist and thumb. I don't suppose there's any two people the same here but I count myself as one of the lucky ones. Good luck!

Thanks for the helpful comments regarding my having no shoulder pain. I guess that I should be glad about that. We're all bit different when it to PMR symptoms and severity. I'm learning that much.

I had no shoulder pain whatsoever and still do not after 9 months since diagnosis. Most of my pain has been lower back, legs, hands and lower arms like from elbow down to hands. I've also had the general feeling of not feeling well. But I think you and I are lucky to not have the shoulder pain because I think shoulder pain is difficult to deal with.

I have to agree with Eileen. PMR pain does not respond to pain meds. That's how I know it's PMR pain because my extra pain only responds to prednisone.