1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Polymyalgia Rheumatica and GCA

Lucky white heather..!! who needs it? i have plenty of luck..unfortunately all bad....!!

Posted , 15 users are following.

IssyR
IssyR

Hi folks,

I need to pick your brains..I had a flare over the last month after reducing 5mg in 5 wks. My doc allowed me to go back up to 10mg and everything settled down again..NOW last Tuesday i took a terrible fall...just lost footing and down with a clatter, giving myself a cut and a huge bump above my eyebrow...lovely multi coloured black eye...i also cracked some ribs...my question is this do you think the inflammation from my head/ribs etc could have triggered off my PMR? as not only do i have the pain from the ribs i also feel my PMR is back with avengence...Aaaaaaarrrggh..!! P.S i'm only 52..!! feel like 100 

0 likes, 27 replies

27 Replies

Next
  • louisa85653
    louisa85653 IssyR

    Posted

    Dear Issy

    Poor you - I sympathise having fallen down stairs and sprained my ankle a few weeks ago - this seemed to set off my PMR again and while hoping to reduce my pred (from 8 to 7) find that I am probably going to have to go up again - dash!  I am 53 and was told when I was first diagnosed that this normally happens to people in their 70s or older though I think there are more of us in their 50s!

    Hope you feel better soon.

    • IssyR
      IssyR louisa85653

      Posted

      Thanks for that Louisa...i felt it was too much of a coincidence not to have some connection...hope you feel better soon xx
  • Bert5560
    Bert5560 IssyR

    Posted

    I totally believe that triggered a flare.  PMR hit me the day after I tore my rotator cuff. I couldn't roll over in bed , felt pain in the general areas that it hits and felt like I had a slight case of the flu. I think some sort of trauma sets it off. I hope all goes well for you.

     

  • erika59785
    erika59785 IssyR

    Posted

    I feel for you!  A terrible fall like you describe actually triggerd my PMR almost 2 years ago. Cracked ribs HURT, and I had a multi colored left eye too.

    The stress can make PMR worse.

    You are YOUNG to have to deal with PMR.  I can imagine, you feel like 100.

    Such pain.....my heart goes out to you! I wish you speedy recovery.

     

    • louisa85653
      louisa85653 erika59785

      Posted

      it is really helpful to know that others have these triggers (though I wouldn't wish it on anyone) so I don't feel like I'm on my own.  It is hard sometimes explaining to friends that I can't do things when I look ok overall and don't want to go on about it.  Equally I do want to be honest about what I can and cannot do - and look after myself! I am 53 and was diagnosed when I was 51. It is frustrating at times but I try to keep positive and keep smiling! 
    • erika59785
      erika59785 louisa85653

      Posted

      We look well and seem to be okay, but there are times when we don't, and it is difficult to explain to friends what we are going through with the fatigue and all. They cannot relate well what PMR means.  The muscles are sore because of  muscle inflammation --- not sore because of "working out".

      It is a great attitude to keep positive and smiling....I need to remember this myself.

       

  • Silver49
    Silver49 IssyR

    Posted

    I'm so sorry to hear about your fall, Issy. You are having such a difficult time. I would agree that a flare does happen with extra stress in whatever form. I also wonder if we are a bit clumsier than normal and therefore more likely to fall or drop things. I certainly am dropping more than usual and tripping though, thankfully, have not fallen. I now carry less as I am more likely to drop articles or trip. I wonder if anyone has noticed this or is it just me. I guess part of it is due to tiredness and protecting ourselves because of some pain. I hope your pain and flare ease soon.
    • molly1957
      molly1957 Silver49

      Posted

      Yes silver I too have noticed I am more clumsier than before and like you I have been dropping things more, I tend to be worse in the mornings especially but fingers crossed I haven't fallen yet. There is so much to this illness and as Louisa and Erica both say it is very hard for friends and family to understand so when people ask you how you are you tend to say fine because you feel as if your constantly moaning. Thank goodness for this site you learn so much and you realise you are not alone we are all going through so many of the same things . 

      Take care every one .

    • gillian_25383
      gillian_25383 Silver49

      Posted

      I agree.My grip doesn't seem too good and I haven't got a full set of crockery left as most of my plates are chipped.Would love some posh ones but it would not be worth it😂
    • Silver49
      Silver49 molly1957

      Posted

      I'm glad I'm not alone with the clumsiness. The carpet cleaner man must be rubbing his hands as I call him again, though the previous time was my granddaughter. I managed to tip a whole cup of hot tea over the carpet and it also dripped into the drawers of the coffee table. I'm forever spilling in the kitchen .....liquid everywhere and dripping in to pan drawers....at least I can clean it up. As for my front, I hardly go anywhere these days without spilling down it....even my grandchildren are commenting! A bib has been suggested.😳 I remember an ex colleague who had PMR amongst other auto immune issues was forever spilling. She used to turn her tops back to front and wore a jacket on top.😀😀
    • Silver49
      Silver49 molly1957

      Posted

      Also meant to say that like you and others I just say I'm fine. We look well and that's part of the problem.
    • molly1957
      molly1957 Silver49

      Posted

      Oh yes me too for ever spilling things on me and in the kitchen it's a nightmare, also do silly things like make a cup of tea and forget the tea bag !!! . I'm currently on 7mg slowly reducing after having to increase to 10 because of a flare I'm hoping things will improve , pain and stiffness are fine at the minute I'm very breathless after little excursion not sure if it's the pmr the pred or the extra weight oh the joys 
  • gillian_25383
    gillian_25383 IssyR

    Posted

    Hi Issy,hope you feel better soon. Can't remember anything setting mine off.Started with problems age 40 &diagnosed 45 (at 40 GP kept redoing blood tests as thought they must be wrong).Eventually sent to rheumatologist who confirmed .Now 58 and still get flares.Hoping your journey is a lot smoother than mine
  • EileenH
    EileenH IssyR

    Posted

    For a start - yes, anything like that can be enough to trigger a flare. It's happened to me as well. 

    BUT - reducing 5mg in 5 weeks is crazy - no wonder you had a flare. It could be from that alone. Below 10mg you are hopefully getting closer to your long term "maintenance dose" - so you need to SLOW the reduction down. No reduction should be more than 10% of the current dose and that means not more than 1mg at a time. And you need to reduce and then check it is still enough.

    Plus your body is about to have to make its own corticosteroid again when you get to about 8mg and it may not do that all at once, it needs a graded return to work! 

    Someone mentions being more clumsy when we have PMR - yes, your muscles simply don't work as well. Care is required, even when on pred.

  • Daniel1143
    Daniel1143 IssyR

    Posted

    So interesting to read this thread about dropping things.  I drop everything!  My PMR has migrated into my hands which is part of the problem, so I handle everything lightly and don't squeeze anything.  The result?  I, too, call the carpet guy.
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.