Flare ups
Posted , 5 users are following.
ive only been on pred since oct 12, 40 to start, then by oct 31 down to 20mg, had some discomfort on and off, now since nov 8, seems ive had 2 flare ups, if i understand the symptons of a flare up,question is, this last episode seems to have started day after cystocopy, which was on nov 22, since that been waking with pain in shoulders,during night, which only sleeping 3-4 hrs,pain in shoulder even if not moving, and also buttocks, hamstrings as in the beginning of all this, my question is, how long can i expect this , if it is flare to last before settling, and being managed again on 20 mg, these last few days worse than i experienced on nov 8th, i know a lot of you experiment ie, going back up 2.5, or breaking up dosage some in am, some later in day, i am reluctant to do on my own, and rheumy away for 3 wks, ?
0 likes, 8 replies
EileenH cheryl74384
Posted
Cheryl - if we were psychic and could know what is going to happen to us none of us would be here! How long? How long is a piece of string?
You don't actually have a diagnosis yet, it is unfortunate your rheumy has gone away on holiday but you will have to be patient. Those of us who adjust our dose KNOW we have PMR plain and simple and what our bodies are telling us. We've been at it a long time. I have to say - if it is getting worse on 20mg pred it might well be an indication that you don't have the PMR we talk about here, it typically responds well to 20mg pred. High doses will deal with a lot of other things. Your rheumy wants to see you at a lower dose than what you did respond to - she is getting her desire I think.
I KNOW how uncomfortable it is for you - I had 5 years of it before I got an answer in my response to 15mg of pred. But warmth, rest and pampering helped a lot. I went to the gym every morning and exercised in a warm pool - it kept me reasonably mobile.I made lifestyle changes and set up my kitchen for me, not someone else. I couldn't go anywhere I couldn't drive to - and that in the UK is not easy, people walk a fair bit. So there were places I didn't go without someone with me to drop me at the door while they parked the car. And when I had to stop driving for a few months for another reason - I rarely went anywhere, when I did I gritted my teeth and walked.
It really isn't long until she gets back - she's already been away a week hasn't she?
cheryl74384 EileenH
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Silver49 EileenH
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EileenH Silver49
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It wasn't until the trochanteric bursitis was sorted out here that I became more confident about going out and walking any distance - and even now sometimes I will set off and halfway home realise my hip is starting to burn. Then it is often because I have "stood wrong" but it can be so sore while walking I need to bail out - but can't!
When telling people to start walking I always suggest choosing a route where you can bail out somehow if it gets too much! And back packs help a lot too - lop-sided walking with heavy bags is not good! My hands and shoulders are the bit that won't cooperate with carrying bags though!
Silver49 EileenH
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EileenH Silver49
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Silver49 EileenH
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Ha, ha.😊Thank you. The stairs were unnecessary as what I was looking for had been moved to the ground floor.😂
FlipDover_Aust cheryl74384
Posted
As I mentioned previously, I don't believe you have what I would classify as a 'flare'. To have a flare you must have had at least a modicum of control over the disease to start with - IF you have PMR - then your inflammation is clearly not under control. That is likely to take months, not days. Once your rheumy has determined what your diagnosis is, and you have regular doses of medication, you will gain SOME control over your pain. Until then I'm afraid, you just have to put up with it. Take care of yourself, rest, don't stress - it only makes it worse.