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PMR and ibuprofen

Posted , 7 users are following.

diana21296
diana21296

Hi Eileen, is it true that ibuprofen doesn't help pmr pain as I seem to think I read this on the forum.  My husband started 3 months ago with very stiff hamstrings and he carried on doing heavy digging in the garden until it became more and more painful affecting the thighs and the legs and he had to stop.  Physio exercises to stretch them made it much worse.  He rarely visits the Dr and has never had to take pills for anything so I knew the pain was bad when he agreed to go.   She suggested taking a stomach protector with ibuprofen and this actually has helped considerably.  But...pain is now in his upper arms and shoulders.  His CRP was 19 and ESR normal. Dr did offer for him to take steroids for a week to prove a point but he has so far refused as he remembers how ill I was when I started on 30mg and all my side affects. (I've told him he would probably be started on just 15mg).    Xrays of his spine and hips came back normal wear and tear for his age (78).  He refuses to go and  have more tests through a rheumy so we are stale mate.   Dr says it's fine to stay on the ibuprofen for as long as it is helping him and if his stomach stays stable.   Worst part is he can't sit in a car for more than half an hour before the pain hits him in the legs so we are stuck at home.

What is your opinion please?

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • EileenH
    EileenH diana21296

    Posted

    Personally I wouldn't want to be on ibuprofen for long - the odd dose is not too bad, but using it regularly is risky, even with a PPI. One friend with PMR only took 3 doses of ibuprofen before ending up in A&E with a gastric bleed. Theoretically it should help PMR and was suggested "for mild PMR" - it is no longer. For most of us it does nothing at all, maybe takes the edge of but does nothing for the stiffness and THAT is the most disabling thing I feel. The pain was bad, but tolerable, but not being able to walk upstairs, or get off the toilet (but then, men don't sit as often wink wink or even toilet myself without problems, the getting going after any time sitting, sitting was uncomfortable, bed was far preferable - that was the worst thing.

    Men often experience both PMR and pred very differently from women so there is no guarantee that a) he'd need 30mg, 15-20mg is a moderate not high dose and a very different matter anyway, and b) he'd have side effects. 

    I, too, have a husband who is as stubborn. The last time he refused to go to a doctor I ignored him and called the emergency services - who all agreed I was right! However - he was where he was because he'd not been firm with the GP about the chronic symptoms he'd had all winter and they got to an acute stage which meant 10 days in hospital - and they only did half a job.

    My personal view is that they are being selfish and inconsiderate. My husband has an excuse after cancer 25 years ago but he doesn't look after the little things which make it worse - and it is me who is restricted like you are now. I take it you don't drive? I do and I have a travel card - but I don't go out alone because it isn't any fun doing things on your own! His reluctance to come skiing with me was part of me giving up (not all, there were other factors) and now he is so unfit he can't come out and walk - I'm getting less fit as a result. It's not as if I can walk a lot anyway - but he will find any excuse not to go out at all. Apparently he will dissolve if it rains!

    My opinion? Call him out on his selfishness - to at least try 15mg of pred and see how he gets on. He can stop it after a couple of weeks if it really is intolerable - but I'll bet when he feels so much better (if he does) he will change his tune,

    • Silver49
      Silver49 EileenH

      Posted

      Oh, Eileen, the bit about your husband dissolving did make me laugh
    • EileenH
      EileenH Silver49

      Posted

      the way he acts with rain it is the only solution I can come to wink rolleyes
    • diana21296
      diana21296 EileenH

      Posted

      Well I do agree with everything you say especially about the selfishness and stubbornish of some men but at the moment he is managing albeit with stiffness in legs and arms.  The doc did offer him 15mg for a week, but he prefers to take the ibuprofen as doesn't want to be hooked on pred even though he know he could stop it after a week or two.  So that doesn't make any sense.    Dr saying he could take ibuprofen for as long as it doesn't affect his stomach hasn't helped of course.   I think he will have to get worse before he would agree to take the pred.   He is nothing like as bad as I was although the stiffness in arms does sometimes wake him up at night.

      I am very independent and have driven since I was 17 but he still insists on driving when we are together (man thing) unless we are dining out  and then as he says "we share the driving, I drive there and Diana drives back"...snigger!! as he drinks and I don't.  Very handy. Today he scarified the lawns and when raking up the dead moss he ricked his back. However, I am annoyed as he doesn't feel he can travel in the car to Scotland albeit stopping en route for 2 nights, as it's too uncomfortable.  Never mind, we are going to try going 2 hours to Norfolk as an experiment. Maybe he hasn't got PMR but if it continues I will ask the GP whom he likes to persuade him to see a  rheumatologist if he remains stubborn re pred.  I will also suggest he stops the ibuprofen for 24 hours to see how bad he actually is and that may open his eyes.  I am not feeling in a very sympathetic mood at the moment which is unkind as he was wonderful when I was so ill and ran the house beautifully. As my wise mother used to say "you can't help those who won't help themselves"rolleyes

    • Silver49
      Silver49 EileenH

      Posted

      It's funny because it was raining when we came out of a shop today and I had no jacket so my husband offered to get the car. I declined and said I would not dissolve as I was not made of sugar or salt. 

  • celia14153
    celia14153 diana21296

    Posted

    I agree with Eileen. Ibuprofen as a prop is short term - sounds as if your husband is scared both of his symptoms and how steroids affected you. Each person is made up differently and when you read the messages on this forum you can see how variable side effects are. 15mgs is a good starter and maybe you can sell it to him on that basis - half your dosage, less side effects and release from crippling pain so that you can both embrace life again. Good luck and do let us know how you get on. 
  • ptolemy
    ptolemy diana21296

    Posted

    I know it is difficult to convince someone else, but personally I would far prefer to be on pred long term than Ibuprofen. What is your husband’s reasoning for not trying 15mg out for a week and then just stopping if it does not work? When I was diagnosed with PMR I had never bought over the counter drugs, never had paracetamol and never had an anti biotic, so I understand how he feels, however I am so glad that I gave pred a chance.
    • diana21296
      diana21296 ptolemy

      Posted

      I think if it got much worse and really affected his active life, then he would have to try steroids for a week.  But at the moment he is managing and he knows that he can just stop or reduce the ibuprofen when he wants which isn't the case with pred.    Also, he is very very stubborn!  I will arrange for him to have another blood test soon and make another Dr's appointment.  Nothing else I can do at the moment until he comes to his senses!

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy diana21296

      Posted

      If he takes steroids for a week he can stop them immediately if they do not work. If they do work he will be able to live his life again.
  • peggy_56092
    peggy_56092 diana21296

    Posted

    I took ibuprofen for almost a year before PMR diagnose which caused ulcer bleed twice:  intensive care for two days and lots of pills to take.  Please get him off ibuprofen.  Prednisone is the miracle drug. 
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