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PMR swelling on Biceps, shoulder pain, hands and wrists..

Posted , 7 users are following.

eileen11130
eileen11130

I have had PMR. For four years and have been on Prednisone since the beginning.  I also have RA and OA  and a collapsed foot.  My PMR has given me many side effects with being on Pred.  I was on 10mg twice a day and have since last October weaned down 1 mg at a time for 2 weeks each to 5 mg. and have hit a plateau.   The problem now is a terrible flare which has hit me biceps (not the first time) and shoulders, hips, wrists and fingers.    The pain and swelling are horrendous.   I can hardly move.   I am back to 15 mg Pred.  But had previously lost 17 of my 42 weight gain poundage while weaning and have gained it all back and a few extra pounds along the way.  I look like I am in a body building competition and cannot tolerate anything on my upper arms especially shirts with sleeves. I can sit for only so long, and walking even with my Walker is extremely painful.  I use a stylis to type or voice but my left hand and thumb are frozen open and cannot grasp anything.  I am looking for something to help with the pain in my biceps topically ...I hate going back up to mo  Prednisone as I am also getting. Full moon face and sweating all night long having to change clothes at least four times a night.      If anyone has ANY suggestions I would Greatly appreciate them.....I am going to my RA doc. Wednesday....but mostly what he does as he is so overworked is type as he listens and early makes a suggestion except for more blood work.....which is up and them he ups the Ored for a few weeks and come see him again.....viscous circle....and Good luck to all of you out there!!!  

1 like, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Elijo
    Elijo eileen11130

    Posted

    I'm so sorry you are having these problems and hope some of it can be resolved when you see you doctor.  Other more experienced PMRers will come along and offer you some advice.  Good luck.   elinor
    • eileen11130
      eileen11130 Elijo

      Posted

      Thanks for your support.  Good luck to you too. 

      Eileen

  • rocketman42
    rocketman42 eileen11130

    Posted

    Eileen- I'm not experienced enough to offer treatment advice but hang in there as this too shall pass. Good luck and NEVER GIVE UP !
  • EileenH
    EileenH eileen11130

    Posted

    I've just written this on your other post:

    If your fingers are swollen - have you reported this to your rheumy? It may not be PMR, there are a couple of other arthritic things that typically cause swollen fingers and it is something that is not particularly common in PMR.

    What you describe is either not PMR or you are simply not on a high enough dose to manage the symptoms. There is no virtue in being on too low a dose - it achieves nothing to balance out the downsides of pred. 

    • eileen11130
      eileen11130 EileenH

      Posted

      The fingers are not my main concern...it is the pain and swelling in my arms and wrists as well as my fingers.   My fingers I think are from the prednisone as I tend to gain and build up fluid when I am on a higher dose.  I like u saud I have gained back all the weight I just lost when I was cutting down and then some.   But the PMR is very debilitating. The pain takes my breath away.  On top of that the Ra and OA in my knees are causing swelling ...my knees are two to three sizes too big and walking is very painful.   I use a walker and a toe separater  on my collapsed foot.  Also the RA and OA are eating away at my muscle and cartledge on my left hand. The wrist has similar lumps as my arms yet I have lost the padding from my thumb to my wrist.  It is just loose skin with bone underneath.  I did have surgery on that thumb years ago to replace the lost cartledge in my thumb.  I think something is wrong there too.  I have many other things I am dealing with besides the RA and OA and PMR that the meds I think go against each other.  Nothing seems to help.  If I didn't gave pain meds. I wouldn't be moving around at all.  But I don't rely on them as they help me in the moment but do not solve my problem..  Thanks fir the input.  Going to se RA doc Weds.
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