Posted , 8 users are following.
Does anyone else have rib pain with PMR. Been on Pred for almost a year. Just started having pain in back ribs. Hurts when I take a deep breath. Had MRI- came back normal.
0 likes, 11 replies
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bob73443 jodiplage
Posted
Yes! I've had PMR for 3 years, and the lower back rib pain was one of 1st symptoms. It still flares up. I've also been tested for other things but No one has ever found cause except PMR
fiona25048 jodiplage
Posted
sandie60651 fiona25048
Posted
interesting to hear this. I have PMR but have refused to take steroids and am using natural supplements instead. I have pretty well eliminated the usual problems, but a rib problem started after I began gentle chi gong excersises and continued for 6 months. It too is now going away I'm pleased to say but it was certainly enough to take my breath away. Keep on with gentle stretches especially for the diaphram and hold deep breaths long enough to be of benefit, and if it does what mine has done it will slowly ease and beome easier. all the best
jodiplage sandie60651
Posted
sandie60651 jodiplage
Posted
dan38655 jodiplage
Posted
It lasted about a year before fully tapering off I would say, and really hurt when I first even cleared my throat or blew my nose vigorously first thing in the morning.
EileenH jodiplage
Posted
A common cause of rib pain in PMR is a condition which is often associated with PMR - myofascial pain syndrome. After discussing it with my physiotherapist who is sorting out my MPS problems at present - I'm beginning to think it is not only found alongside PMR but it is actually one version of PMR as it is known it is caused by the same cytokines but they are concentrated in the fascia, the transparent skin that covers large muscles (the stuff you find on joints of meat) and in trigger points which form mostly in pairs on either side of the spine in the shoulders, about rib level and in the lower back, which can be felt as knots of inflamed and hardened muscle fibres.
Often it improves at higher doses of pred but the blood flow to fascia isn't as good as to muscle itself and at lower doses it often returns. I have mine dealt with at present by manual mobilisation of the fascia and trigger points being done by a hospital physio but I know that isn't often available in other countries - our doctors here are VERY aware of muscle problems being the cause of back pain - which can refer to other areas, arms, legs and even neck and head. I found Bowen therapy kept it at bay in the UK - but the therapist here isn't as good and it is a bit pricey - the hospital physio is well worth waiting for for me!!
Muscle problems will NEVER show up on an x-ray (total waste of time said the physio) nor really on an MRI - but they do rule out other causes. When they say "can't find anything" it probably means it is muscular and they aren't thinking of that.
EileenH
Posted
dan38655 EileenH
Posted
Thankfully, that stage of my pmr symptoms has passed for now.
It was disturbing to aggravate it, felt like my ribs were being pried loose, but also thankfully didn't respond so much like an injury to my setting it off, i.e. it didn't become noticeably worse for having triggered it.
Perhaps it was costochondritis, as it sure didn't behave anything like the bursa/fascia condition that has been plagueing my right shoulder of late.
I'm now way up to 7mg/day from 1.75mg/day, for my shoulder, and interestingly enough, at this higher dosage I can still set off my near-crippling left hip bursitis for a half a day by doing my 5mi late-day run. Admittedly I am running much faster/harder these days however, well above what would have even been possible six months ago.
steve17104 jodiplage
Posted
I was first diagnosed with PMR about 8 years ago. I've been on preds most of that time, I once got to zero but that lasted about a month, then it was back up to 15mg . I'm now down to 2, have been for a few months. The pain in the lower back ribs started a couple of weeks ago, it hurts when I get up from sitting, when I cough and it's unbelievable if I sneeze. I was wondering if it might be a good idea to up the prep to about 10mg for a few days. That might give some indication as to whether it's PMR related or not. Does anybody have any thoughts on that idea?. Good or bad or maybe from experience, all input will be appreciated.
Anhaga jodiplage
Posted
Please note this post is several years old. It doesn't sound like a PMR symptom and increasing pred for other reasons is generally speaking not a good idea. Try the HealthUnlocked forum, the PMRGCAuk community for a much better response as hardly anyone seems to check in here any more, sadly.