Pain Morning vs afternoon/evening

Posted , 9 users are following.

When I had full blown PMR (no GCA)  (pain all over) I felt horrible in the morning and better in the afternoon. Now  12 years later with my  second bout of this crappy disease, I have no  pain in arms and legs, "only" in shoulders and neck and head.(suspect I have some form of GCA)  I feel good in the morning and slowly get worse in the afternoon and evening.  Do any other GCA sufferers have the same experience?

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    Yes, my worst pain was cranial/scalp pain which seemed to build up during the day and by night was so bad I could hardly put my head on the pillow to sleep.  Come the morning the last thing I wanted to do was get up as I was now comfortable.  I suspect that tension (and possibly expectation) had a part to play in this, though.

    I have never been a morning person even without PMR/GCA - the pain at night was the icing on the cake.  Oddly enough, I've got no memory of when it disappeared - I remember one evening I realized that it had simply gone.  It does come back every now and then, although not nearly as bad as it was to start with and I think that stress has a lot to do with it now.  (Note to self:  avoid stress).

    I am 15 years in with my first bout of PMR (GCA came along 5 years later). I still have that diagnosis but I have picked up a posy of other medical conditions on the way.   Nearly a bouquet, really!.  So don't worry, most of these roads have been travelled before.

     

    • Posted

      Hi Nefret,

      Thanks for replying. That is exactly how it goes with me. I need sleep aid to sleep . When tthe GCA  it disappeared were you still on Prednisone?

    • Posted

      Oh Geez! Then I guess you do not really know if it is gone right? Not untill you are off it? Hoe many mgs are you taking?
    • Posted

      I just discovered the oblong pillow from the Quilt Etc store...perfect for putting under your neck and supports the head.

       

    • Posted

      I bought the mother of all massagers at Brookstone .$160.00 but well worth it. I also bough an icehat (A wrap with ice that covers most of your head.
    • Posted

      Not really, the main problem is that now there is no way of telling that I don't have it!  I am currently on 7.5mg maintenance dose and will be on a dose between 5mg and 7.5mg for life.  However, that is far preferable than being off it and trying to cope with life.  None of which bothers me at all, it is how it is and I only ever really think about it when answering posts!

       

  • Posted

    My pain is mostly in my buttocks and thighs. Walking is difficult.  Balance affected.  My doctor seems to think most of the pain is from moderate arthritis in hips and back. I'm concerned that she is taking me off prednisone too early.  Seems like thinking here (USA) is to get off prednisone ASAP and endure the pain and stiffness.  Some of this site have been on prednisone for years - apparently with no bad side effects.  How much prednisone are you currently taking?  

     

    • Posted

      I am taking 12mgs.Prob should be on more but this drug scares me. I take pred with me when I go out of the house just in case my vision starts to get blurry. (It has not in the 2 years I have had this )(one 12 years ago and now this year)
    • Posted

      My first bout with PMR was also in hips ,lowerback and pelvic girdle. Never in shoulders neck or arms until this time. I was reading someone else,'s post this morning who said a fall precipitated the PMR. This happened with me too. I finally was diag osed with Avasc ular necrosis of both femoral heads almost 12 months after starting Pred. The pain had been severe but rheumy said pain was to be expected. All i was taking was tramadol and tylenol. A doctor - orthpedic- that i had seen before diagnosed the hip prob.by watching me try to walk. The femoral head bone dies because of lack of blood supply due to prednisone. Pain is excruciating and sends most to ER. So if pain gets really bad see someone else. Good luck.

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