Pain mainly in one part of body

Posted , 14 users are following.

There seems some uncertainty as to what can cause terrible pain at the top of one arm in the middle of the night and when waking (it eases somewhat during the day)- does PMR usually take affect across the whole body? After 2 years of PMR this is a new development, and I think my good GP is a bit puzzled. More blood tests next week- but in England do puzzling 'cases' like me get referred on sometimes? I'd also like any insight into the pain not being uniform across my muscles any more- Thanks. Happy Christmas!

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  • Posted

    Have you been doing anything unusual that might have caused some sort of localized inflammation?  I assume your GP has investiagated reasonably thoroughly?
  • Posted

    PMR tends to be bilateral, so it probably is not PMR, but could be a side effect such as tendon or ligament problems for example. It could also be something totally unconnected such as fybromyalgia or some such. I think there are an awful lot of puzzling cases around that do not get referred and oeople suffer in silence. You really need to push for it. If your GP does not know after the various tests, ask them to send you to someone who might be able to help. 
  • Posted

    This is somewhat my issue also. i was at 4.5 and complaining to rhumi about pain in my right shoulder with referred burning into my arm, hand and fingers; was given an nerve electro test which was normal.  she agreed to give me a shot into the shoulder bursar, this did nothing.  i stayed on 4.5 until a week ago and began having more severe pain so i bumped up to 10mg; MY plan now is to wait and see - like you it is only on one side...I console myself about the increase in pred, since i seem to remember reading coming back down can be quicker - the other very annoying thing for me are the changes in my body...

  • Posted

    I was diagnosed with PMR over two years ago....so no question as to

    what my pain is.....I've had pain separate times in separate shoulders.

    Not all my pain as been bilateral.   I keep reading that most people

    show symptoms in shoulders first etc....my first pain was in groin,

    hips, thighs.  We don't all hurt in the same place.

    • Posted

      I'm like you, I didn't have my first pain in my shoulders either. I started in my left calf, then suddenly bilateral groin pain, then down into my thighs, then one shoulder, then the other decided to join up too. No wonder no one could figure out what was going on with me for so long. What made it even more confusing, was the pain in my calf started 5 wks after a spinal fusion surgery, so both my surgeon and I figured that was causing it somehow. THEN all the other stuff started happening. My calf still flares up on occasion.
  • Posted

    I also have one arm troubling me. I dont think it is PMR, because in is only one side. I think, this time, (they thought my original symptoms of PMR was this) Carpel Tunnel. Pins and needles in the hand, most of the time, referring quite a long way up the arm. Not as painful as PMR, but quite uncomfortable. Due for nerve conductions tests, for the third time.

    Top of youarm is quite specific. I do hope you find the cause soon and can get some relief.

  • Posted

    Like many of you my pain started in my hands then hips toe then shoulders. Although my pain in shoulders were bilateral once on prednisone my daily pain is in my right arm and I'm a righty. If i overdo like today my right arm is throbing and limp.

    Many of us are like this I'm finding out.

    Mariane

  • Posted

    Most of my pain for many months was in one shoulder, and top of the arm.  My PMR started with my hips, but then that got better, and my shoulders started- first the right one, then both, with the right one much worse.  The rheumy thought it was from mechanical issues from my right arm.  However, I don't think so.  I think that PMR sets you up for problems that can eventually go away.   For example, the prednisone tends to make tha muscles weaker.  That alone can lead to dysfunction.   Now, almost two years after diagnosis, I feel pretty good all over except for occasional new discomforts from doing lots of things that I was unable to do for two years ( for example cleaning my bedroom, and moving large things around). I am no longer on any Prednisone.   Hang in there.  Things should be getting better.   Some people seem to get over it sooner than others.  A couple years ago, I felt like I was never going to get better.
  • Posted

    I think your GP should be referring you to - probably - an orthopaedic specialist. Since I have no doubt that that will take months in the NHS at present, a physiotherapist as an emergency would be my next best option - because the physio will be able to assess the pain and mobility and refer you on if required. If your GP can't oblige then you could (if you can afford it) find a private physio locally for an assessment - that is at least immediate. 

    Strangely - blood tests don't identify everything! PMR is generally bilateral, on both sides, though not always equally. Your comment that this is a new development means it should be investigated as such since it doesn't feel to you like part of your PMR. After all, having PMR doesn't excuse us from other things - although it can pre-dispose you to a few.

    Though I'd be interested to know what you mean by "at the top of one arm"? Is it in the shoulder or in the arm? Is it the biceps or somewhere else? What sort of pain?

    • Posted

      Thanks. The pain is dreadful when it comes on- at the top outside of the arm, but can extend around the shoulder. The best I can describe it when it arrives is like being dug into by a thick needle for perhaps about an hour or so- it usually eases as the day goes on. I have been to 2 physiotherapists (privately) and Bowen therapy, and tried paracetemal, codeine and naproxin. Having another blood test this week (level was 14 three weeks ago)- then I think about time I showed my (good) GP how sorry I am feeling for myself. Have also seen an orthopaedic chap when this started (twisted my knee!) but he was no good- said it was referred pain from the hip until I told him the Xray there was OK, and it was the knee I twisted (running after a silly lorry driver). So much going on- in ascending order- back, knee, PMR hip, top of arm, - feeling fed up!
    • Posted

      That sounds like migraine in the shoulder, is such a thing possible?  I used to, in my younger days, get headaches that felt like someone was digging out the side of my temple with a spoon.  Completely incapacitating.  I can relate to your level of pain and I do hope you get a solution to the problem soon.
    • Posted

      How very bizarre - you have had the shoulder at least x-rayed I assume? But an MRI sounds required. 

      Hope it recovers soon.

  • Posted

    Hi Herbo, Every single PMR related problem whether it was the original painful symptoms( pre PRED treatment) or the whole body tingley/irrittable numb type symptoms I now experience have always been bilateral. From the tips of my big toes to the tops of my shoulders, that's how it has been for the last 4 or 5 months. Tapering of PRED has not really changed my symptoms (30mg. now down to 10mg. over 5 months), I am able to cope with present symtoms & feel quite relaxed about the future if thats how it has to be. I repeat again that I consider myself one of the more fortunate members of THE PMR CLUB!!!

     Change of subject, today has been extreemly wet up here in Lancashire, it just happened to be the day our family had chosen to go & cut our Christmas trees out in the wilds, up on Beacon Fell (our worst Christmas Tree hunting weather ever) we do pay for our trees by the way, we don't steal them. It is the beginning of Christmas for us, after the trees have been chosen, cut, PAID FOR & transported home, it is them time for piping hot tomato soup + as many bacon rolls as you can eat, can't get much better than that. or can it???

    To all members/contributors of the most supportive/helpful/knowledgeable & understsanding club it has been my privilage to belong to, I wish you all + your families, all that you would wish for yourselves for Christmas & 2016.

    Kind regards & very best wishes

    Richard

     

    • Posted

      My daughter had planned a visit to Leeds Christmas Market today (her husband is totally Christmas mad) - and tells me it was a total FAIL! Torrential rain the whole time. I told her they should have come here - I have seen precipitation on one day in the last 3 weeks: in Innsbruck at their Christmas Market last Wednesday for about an hour. 

      I hope you get a bit of our style of December weather for a while - not that we want your rain in exchange, although snow would be fine as it is not looking particularly ski-resort-ish anywhere here and that isn't good for the tourist industry. I don't mind...

      Happy Yuletide one and all! 

    • Posted

      As to weather around the world  ( sort of )  My daughter lives in

      the Pacific Northwest U.S. and they've had copious amounts of

      rain, much floodiing.....I'm in Florida and it's like 84 today and

      warmer tomorrow.  Hard to get in any kind of Christmas Spirit

      with such warm weather....we still have our a/c on.

      Whatever the weather where you are I hope all have safe

      and wonderful Holidays....

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