Polymialgia relief
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After taking pred 15 mg for 4 weeks had at last had 3 days of relief from shoulder pain . Went back to doc and blood was a little better so on a reduction program which will start in 2 weeks .Saw physio who taught me some gentle excersise on my back have today been in extreme pain again . Am getting ready for visitors and possibly overdone it but has anyone out there had such slow improvement and then sudden set back .Felt so good those 3 days am sitting in bed 4am with Ice pack on shoulder and have taken a diazipam to try and relax shoulder .Comforting words from someone please
0 likes, 14 replies
tina-uk_cwall carol16456
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debbie27473 carol16456
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MrsO-UK_Surrey carol16456
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I sought the advice of a physio when I first found difficulty in walking, assuming it was due to a long-standing back problem. I ended up in a far worse state, bedbound and travelling to rheumy appointments by ambulance and wheelchair.
It might be wise for you to return to your GP - you may perhaps need a slightly higher dose.
Some patients do need a slightly higher starting dose of 20mg to really tackle their pain
erika59785 MrsO-UK_Surrey
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MrsO-UK_Surrey erika59785
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erika59785 MrsO-UK_Surrey
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MrsO-UK_Surrey erika59785
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erika59785 MrsO-UK_Surrey
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EileenH carol16456
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If you didn't then your doctor needs to do some more thinking - because without that rapid improvement there has to be some doubt about the PMR diagnosis. There are other arthritises that LOOK like PMR but aren't and which require different treatments.
"Went back to doc and blood was a little better" - if the bloods are only "a little better" then there is still inflammation present and it is not yet time to start a reduction.
As MrsO has said - be wary of physio. I was sent for physio a couple of years ago in an attempt to get me moving after another problem. Even a couple of reps of the very gentle exercises she tried were too much and the pain got worse rather than better. And I have had PMR for 10 years - I usually know what I can manage and what I can't. It really does sound as if physio is NOT the way to go for you at present. If you have severe shoulder pain, especially if it is one-sided, then it is more like to be bursitis causing it and physio will only make that worse. Cortisone shots would be better.
The others have all pointed out the fact that PMR comes back to bite if you mistreat it. The pred is managing the symptoms, it is up to you to not increase those symptoms to a degree the pred can't mop up. Your muscles remain intolerant of exercise for a very long time: can do far less to start with, do not tell you you are asking them to do too much at the time and then take a far longer recovery period to be ready to do more.
blodwyn carol16456
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This PMR has a habit of lulling you into a false sense of security.You feel so much better so quickly and it's a relief to feel you now know what wrong with you and it's all systems go from now on, back to normal.
Unfortunately that's rarely the case.
I started on 20mgs in December 2013 and am only now down to 10 mgs and sometimes that doesn't feel enough.I have had to learn to respond to how I feel every hour of the day and stop what I'm doing and rest.
Fortunately I'm now retired and can do that most of the time and I feel sorry for those of you who can't do that due to work or family commitments etc.
I also saw a physiotherapist when my then GP reduced my dosage drastically and my previous shoulder pain from osteoartritis returned with a vengeance.
He just advised me on some exercises to do at my own pace and that worked for me.
I now have a GP who likes people with PMR to use their own initiative where their dosage is concerned.
I'm sorry if this all sounds a bit negative and I feel like I'm bursting your bubble but I'm sure if you follow the excellent advise of Mrs O and Eileen H who are both a fount of useful information you will get to grips with this confusing condition and feel much better soon.Best of Luck.
carol16456 blodwyn
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carol16456
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EileenH carol16456
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But stand your ground - if the pain comes back and he still wants to reduce the dose make sure he realises how you are. Hope the accupuncture helps.
carol16456 EileenH
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