Mid-left back pain
Posted , 8 users are following.
I have not been able to stay at 10mg of pred. after a slow taper from 20. I've been at 15 twice, now back to 11mg and feeling like I might need to go up again. I've developed a, at times and especially at night and in the mornings, back ache in the center left portion of the back. Having trouble with sleep from it and getting mobile in the mornings. I did not have this symptom when was diagnosed with PMR around a year ago. Most of what i started with was should and hip an sometimes in the forearms and between the fingers. Any ideas.
0 likes, 10 replies
EileenH john29577
Posted
I kept it fairly well under control with Bowen therapy during the years before pred. The oral pred did help a bit but even sleeping on a strange mattress or pillow or leaning forwards to do something like foot care or gardening for any length of time made the other muscles go into spasm and that was very painful. That responded to a hot water bottle and rest quite well - just like most such back muscle problems. Eventually it went into total meltdown and I spent a couple of nights in hospital on a muscle relaxant and pred drip - which certainly made a difference but I reacted badly to one of the drugs and had to stop. However, the pain clinic here continued with cortisone shots into the back muscles together with some manual techniques that gradually eased it all but it kept recurring. In the end it was solved by my having a wisdom tooth out! It was affecting my bite and that was putting stress on my back muscles. I still have the occasional twinge but take that as a warning to intervene quickly.
A physio or a sport massage appointment might shed some light - but be sure they know you have PMR. There are things in both techniques that can make the PMR feel worse in the short term - the cytokines in the trigger points are the same as in PMR, they are released into the system and obiously make you feel worse for a while. I know about and expect it may happen so don't worry about it. But they can identify any hard knots of muscle and work on them if you can put up with it. Otherwise - a doctor/physio who will use steroid shots or a technique called needling can help. Common in most places except the UK it seems!
Charlieschoc john29577
Posted
EileenH Charlieschoc
Posted
I don't care what ANY physio says - it it really really hurts it is your body warning you to calm down and not do something. It's like the fitness buffs who tell you "go for the burn" and "no pain, no gain" - it is WRONG!
I did hydrotherapy - it was great and the physio never asked me to do anything that hurt more than just being slightly sore.
Maybe a few days at slightly more would calm it down - how very annoying.
faye______00403 Charlieschoc
Posted
chair and go to standing without holding on. After several of these
exercises I felt something "rip" in my right upper thigh. Well, it took
weeks for that soreness to go away. Needless to say I never did that
again. Chiro also had me lay on stomach and took my legs and
pushed them over my back.....Whew! Such pain. It took about
two weeks for that soreness and pain to ease off. Never did that
again either. I'm not sure any of that kind of theraphy is good when
the possibility of inflammation in the muscles is likely. Hard to know
what to do. I'm not an expert of any of PMR problems but would
advise being very careful with any type of exercise.
EileenH faye______00403
Posted
faye______00403 EileenH
Posted
anything. He's really a great guy and felt bad about causing me
pain. I didn't know enough to tell him not to do that particular
move. He's like most doc's including Rheumy's, they know very little
about PMR. I haven't seen him in about a month but want to go back
becuase I have a rotated right pelvis and some exercises and seeing
him are the only thing to try for relief.
At 79 I'm on the SLIPPERY SLOPE anyhow......
LayneTX john29577
Posted
I went to Bowen. Now either the Bowen worked!!!! Or the DMARDS Plaquinel and Sulfasalazine kicked in, but it sure seemed like it was the Bowen. Took 4 sessions.
so lower and middle went away! Yea! Bowen also taught me to stand with weight more on heals of feet and the big one was align spine by lowering ribcage, this helps get more straight line from heels up spine and chin down and back, ear over shoulders. I focused this alignment while walking.
Been a life savor.
Now upper back has been really, really hurting. Several days now it has not! Yea! I've been doing exercises (only 5-6 reps) pulling my shoulders down and back AND the yoga type breathing filling my lungs from lower to higher expanding my upper back. Feels so good. I believe it's really helping.
Oh and the rowing type exercise using stretch bands, pull back, squeeze shoulder blades together, hold 3 seconds, release.
i thought it was the acid reflux causing my upper back to hurt as both are subsiding now. So...it could be that or the exercises. ??? But I need the exercises anyway
If if you want better info on this let me know.
audrey80537 john29577
Posted
Like you after a year on Prednizone I have not been able to reduce below 10 mg without experiencing a great deal of pain in my lower spine and left leg. I tried Bowen 3 times and it seemed to have increased the pain instead of releasing it. I just recently had an MRI to investigate further and the results showed a cyst between 3 and 4 vertabrae and it was determined that a pinched nerve has been causing the pain. Presently I am waiting for an appointment with a neurologist so I can be referred to pain management for steroid injections. In retrospect I think I had this pain earlier on but it was managed with higher doses of Prednizone.
like Eileen said to you and had suggested to me awhile back that there may be a secondary problem.
EileenH audrey80537
Posted
Glad they found you an answer and the injections work.
linda82701_USA john29577
Posted
I, too, have the kind of pain you describe. I believe Eileen is absolutely right about the MPS. Have tried PT, Bowen Therapy, Cupping Therapy amongst others. What has really helped is using a jade stone heating pad. It is hard to differentiate the various pains you have. I am at 15 mg prednisone currently. Started at 20 mg over a year ago. It has been an up and down journey to reduce. We just have to persevere. Once in awhile, I have a day where I feel good. That gives me hope! Hang in there and best wishes to you! Linda