Question about pain stimulators

Posted , 11 users are following.

Last time at the pain clinic, the dr suggested I have an electric pain stimulator inserted in my back with leads that make the pain signals in my lower back turn off somehow. That's ok, if what I have is arthritis in my back, right? But does it work for polymyalgia, if I still have that, too? This is what happens to me repeatedly: I reduce my prednisone from 30 to 25 for three or four days and suddenly I'm in the worst pain, in spots above my hips and in my arms and shoulders. The pain pills have no help for that pain, though they help with other pains, only the pred. helps, if I take the greater amount. It is maddening. I have no answer and feel desperate.

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  • Posted

    I had a Tens machine..................I did not have PMR just GCA. I used it for a long time for lower back pain and it did help.However once I ran into 'ticker' problems I could no longer use it at all.

    Before I had anything inserted, I think I would try a TENS machine, provided you have no heart problems.

    A lady in Cyprus (long time friend) had PMR and she used one and found it enabled her to walk to the shops and manage pain free for about an hour.

    Hope this helps you.

  • Posted

    HI Debbie. I have been dealing with pmr for 4 years and have been on and off pred. many times. I have been off for a few mths. and am having neck,shoulder, and upper arm pain as well as buttocks, hips and thighs. My blood labs have been in the normal range so dr sats its not pmr (sure feels like it.) I was shocked to learn I have osteoporosis last fall. I believe its from pred. as it does not run inmy family and I am super active 60 yr old and otherwise healthy. Could it have been prevented????

    Dr sent me for a mri of lumbar spine to see cause of hip and leg soreness and stiffness. Could I still have pmr or is this all from recent diagnosis of osteoporosis? I had been doing great up til a few mths ago. Dr. just started me on meloxicam for inflammation. Doesnt seem to do much but make me sweaty and a little woozy. If I were you I would see if there is something they can do for you while on pred that will help prevent osteo. I have been very active with a healthy diet and still ended up with it. Highest dose I was on was 15mg. I am afraid to have to go back on now. I wish you good luck! Others just dont know what its like.

    • Posted

      Patti, has your diet included additional supplements to help with bone loss?

    • Posted

      I take a woman's multivitamin with an extra calcium but my rhem. dr is so adamit about getting calcium from food and too much Calcium is harmful to heart. I stopped taking the extra cal. but I am considering adding it back in. I eat healthy but dont know if Im getting enough?? I have been on alendronate (fossamax) since my osteoporosis diagnosis. I wonder if it could have been prevented? Really worried.

    • Posted

      Patti, I have been taking large doses of calcium for over 12 years no side effects. Online it states: treatment involves taking alendronic acid. You may also need to take calcium and vitamin D. I would check further if I was you. Good luck!

    • Posted

      I am on alendronate and multi vitamins. I eliminated the exta C because dr thought it was too much. Thinking I should start taking them again? Dr says too much C is bad for me??

    • Posted

      Ok, ask him to do a full spectrum blood test, this test all the minerals as well as the normal ones, so then you know exactly what you need.

      Did you have a Dexa scan before going onto AA?

      If not insist on one...............you might not need any if your bones are OK.

      Not everybodies bones deteriorate due to taking longterm pred. I had GCA, Dexa Scan every two years. Bones 97% percent. My very personal opinion..............too many 'just in cases' prescribed.

    • Posted

      Oops, missed that you already had osteo, did you look at the Royal Osteoporosis Society website and look at the alternatives?

    • Posted

      Did you have a dexascan BEFORE or soon after starting pred? Unless you did you can't be sure it was the pred - many patients discover they have low bone density even pre-pred.

    • Posted

      I had a few bone scans before pred. and they were normal. The year before the osteo. diagnosis I was told Ihad osteopenia. My mom is 93 and sister 68 dont have it.

    • Posted

      vitamin C in supplement form can cause problems, however in your food if you have too much you just pee it out. Taking too much in supplements can give you expensive wee!

    • Posted

      Too true, I developed Pseudo Gout - prescribed Calichew and it turned out I just did not need. Lesson learned, no just in cases.

    • Posted

      Dr says too much calcium builds up in blood vessels and is very bad. Since Ihave osteoporosis I need to make sure Iam getting the correct amount. I know my vit. D levels have always been good when checked. I love salmon and have it about 3 times a week.

    • Posted

      This is more likely when vit D is not given concurrently and in otherwise healthy patients on a good diet who are taking calcium because they think they need it ...

    • Posted

      Taking vitamin K2 (not K1) helps deal with potential for calcium to settle where it isn't wanted. K2 directs calcium into the bones where it belongs.

    • Posted

      Anaga, that is my understanding also Calcium, Magnesium and K2 daily. So far seems to be working. MSM has a remarkable ability to break up the bad calcium, therefore it is one my daily supplements.

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