My Aching

Taking extra pred is not the answer to not having managed your illness better by pacing and lifestyle adaptations. A couple of mg is unlikely to help muscle spasm - it isn't a painkiller as such, it is a medication that manages inflammation, by combatting inflammation the pain is relieved. Muscle spasm is a bit different.

Maybe part of your problem remains your desperation to get off pred - if you have PMR you need enough pred to manage the inflammation AND you need to adjust day to day life. I know I sound hard - but that's the bottom line. 

Hi Lynda, two weeks ago my upper back suddenly went on me. The spasms were the worst pain I have ever felt. Nothing to do with PMR so I did not consider upping the pred. I did take painkillers ( an hour or so after my pred) they took the edge off. Heat was the best for me and I made myself go out walking, albeit fairly hunched and very slow. I found a wonderful physio and had one treatment of massage, laser and heat and a thorough exam! It all appears the have been muscular. Well on the mend now. Hope you feel better soon, those spasms take your breath away, I totally feel your pain!

Floramac is basically suggesting you do what you can to physically relieve the muscle spasms causing the pain.  If you can't do this by yourself, hie thee to a good physiotherapist for a couple of sessions.  They can do a number of things, including dry needling.  And can also send you home with crashingly boring but very effective exercises to do for the rest of your life to avoid a recurrence.  I, like Floramac, have found heat very effective as a home treatment.