Is PMR gone

Posted , 8 users are following.

I'm down to 9 mg of precisone using the dead slow method.  I had rotator cuff pain before pmr.  While on predisone (started 20) my rotator cuff did not hurt.  Now as I reduce predisone it has come back full force and my other shoulder hurts a little .  I'm not sure if it's rotator or pmr.  Noting else hurts. Usually my neck of hips start to hurt when I reduce to quickly but this is different.  My sed ratalways shows normal so I can't go by that  Should I just continue with my reduction or stick at 9 and see what happens.  I've had pmr for a year.  

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Posted

    Perhaps the first question is whether you have a rotator tear in which case it's an orthopedic problem, or whether the pain in your shoulder is purely due to the inflammation from PMR.

    I'm sure what others would advise you is too slow or stop your tapering until your body catches up

    • Posted

      I had tear 2 yrs before pmr but all pain went away for the past year.  
  • Posted

    I agree with Daniel you do need to find out - as far as is possible - what is causing the shoulder pain, so your first stop should be your GP for examination and possible referral to the orthopaedic team.  It really doesn't seem to be PMR and It is a problem with steroids that they can mask pain from other conditions at the higher doses.

    If you are PMR-comfortable on 9mg then I would stay there at least until the shoulder pain is resolved.  To be down to that dose after a year is pretty good going - congratulations!  Many patients can only dream of that low a dose,

  • Posted

    Daniel and Nefret have said it all - the shoulder problems need to be investigated. If it is a rotator cuff problem that needs attending to. If it isn't - is it PMR? If so, no reduction for a while.

    • Posted

      I know I had rotator cup tear but it hasn't hurt till now.  Have a feelings no it's pmr because other shoulder also hurts, but just a little.  Going to stick at old dose for a while

  • Posted

    I am totally jealous of you. I suffer from a bad back and have to take pain pills because of the unrelenting pain

    And I thought that when I started the pred it would help my back too. But instead the PMR has made my back worse

    then ever. I've got relief from the PMR pain but got worse on the back pain. I just can't win. I really am not jealous

    of you. I am just glad you had a period of relief from the pain. But like the others have said it's time to find

    out what's wrong with it.

  • Posted

    Mary -- It's hard to know what to say since I don't know how long you have been suffering with the new rotator cuff pain and shoulder pain. When I was reducing on the dead slow method like you, I was aware of various aches and pains every time there was a reduction. However, something made me decide just to tolerate them and not think about increasing pred, so that's what I did. I tolerated them. Q: how long have you been tolerating the new pain you have? 

    Since we can't know exactly how the pain of another feels to that person, it's really up to you as to whether you continue with the reduction or stay at 9 mg for now.

    f you've had PMR for just a year, I'd say you've done very well to accomplish what you have in reducing the pred. Many congratulations for your obvious careful thinking, and lots of luck in the days ahead. I hope you will keep us advised of how it's going--?

    Best wishes, Barbara Y.

     

    • Posted

      I've had new pain for about a week. I think I will stick with old dose for a while.  My GP has been pretty good but I'm telling you most don't have a clue about pmr.   Thank god for this site, it has been a blessing 

  • Posted

    I also had rotator cuff which did not go away with prednisolone. My GP recommended a steroid injection. I had been reluctant before, but since already taking steroids why not have a one off injection. It was miraculous. The rotator cuff appears to be fixed. When you consider you're going to be taking them orally for years one injection is no problem at all.

    • Posted

      So glad to hear your good words about steroid injection for pain. I have been practically unable to walk for a long time because of spinal pain, and now I think I should inquire about the possibility of similar injections for it. 

      So happy for you that the rotator cuff appears to be fixed!

      Best wishes, Barbara Y.

    • Posted

      I've also had steroid injections - for knee, sacroiliac pain and other back pain commonly found alongside PMR and which both made the PMR far worse. After that was sorted I was able to reduce the oral pred dose far further than I could before.

      I've had a relapse in the back pain recently - need to reduce the oral pred dose further after a flare in February. I've had one lot of needling treatment for it, this time not with steroids yet  - the back pain is far less alreadyand I'm hopeful of reducing the oral dose again.

      Let's be clear: while too much pred isn't good for us long term. there is no point rejecting it and suffering now just in case it might avoid something in 10, 20 years time. I don't know about you, being in constant pain and being unable to do things makes me wonder if living another umpteen years is that desirable! 

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