Stiff neck

Posted , 8 users are following.

I've had PMR for about a year and I'm down to 5 1/2 mg of prednisone. I only had a slight flare at 8 mg, went up to 10 and slowly came back down. All has been well, until I developed a stiff neck last Sunday. I don't think it's a flare because it's only stiff on the right side. My neck has been cracking so I'm thinking it needs an adjustment! Any thoughts on this? Please don't say it's a flare! I've been doing so well๐Ÿ˜„!

1 like, 22 replies

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  • Posted

    Renee, although I experienced bilateral pain in many areas, when I first developed symptoms in my neck the pain was mainly on my right side of my neck.

    can you think of any over working of your neck and shoulder area gat has resulted in this pain? Has the pain been getting worse daily, or is it about the same each day? Is the pain worse at a certain time of the day? These are questions that dependant on the answers will help determine if this pain is a flare or indeed another injury.

    however, one additional point, to be at 5.5mgs in just about a year is very quick going. Now younare at the lower levels of pred I would definately be inclined to slow down some. You want your adrenal glands to slowly get use to the new demands made on them and you don't want them to be playing catch up all the time. Regards, tina

    • Posted

      Thanks Tina. It feels pretty good in the morning, then if I sit too long, it gets stiff. the more I move the better it feels. I really think it's a kink in my neck! Went to the gp on Wednesday and she wants me to lower the pred faster! I told her the best I can do is .5 every two weeks. This stiff neck started before I lowered to 5.5. Could be I danced to much at my nephews wedding!
    • Posted

      Renee, if you can pinpoint an occasion that you can relate the ricked neck to then there's probably your answer.

      however, if your GP wants you to reduce your pred by .5 every 2 weeks then they are wrong. To reduce the preds so quickly you are not allowing your body to get use to the new dose before the next reduction. That reduction method is not recommended. Regards, tina

  • Posted

    Great to know you are doing so well.

    To keep doing well, if your neck is cracking the good thing to do it would be to see a doc as soon as you can.

    Please, don't let this symptom unattended and then everything will be alright!

    ๐ŸŒบ

    • Posted

      are you thinking it's worse than it is! Should I really be worried?
    • Posted

      No Renee , don't get worried because worries don' bring any help!

      Calmly do something good in order to solve the problem.

      When it cracks an orthopedic doc will give you the answer and help you need.

      Wish you will feel alright soon!

      ๐ŸŒบ

  • Posted

    Hi Renee

    You sound to be doing really well, I,m only 2 days in to treatment am reassured to hear of your great progress.

    Jan

    • Posted

      hang in there Jancorb! I know it's a disease that lasts minimum 1 1/2-2 years, so I just take it one week at a time! I need rotator cuff surgery and my Ortho won't do it until I'm under 5 mg, so I'm praying I can decrease by .5 every two weeks!
  • Posted

    Hi Renee, you could try a couple of paracetamol for pain relief.If the pain subsides all well and good and suggests it is unlikely to be caused by a flare
    • Posted

      Good idea! I assume paracetamol is the same as ibuprofen in the US?
    • Posted

      No, ibuprofen is an anti inflammatory medication and paracetamol is not.

      regards, tina

      ย 

    • Posted

      Yes, Paracetamol and our Advil here in US are the same.

      I take every morning Advil after breakfast.๐ŸŒบ

    • Posted

      You better check it out to be sure.

      Advil and Tylenol are both Ibuprofen

    • Posted

      Advil is ibuprofen and Tylenol is acetaminophen. Spirit is salacylic acid! What does paracetamol fall under?
    • Posted

      sorry....spell check! Aspirin is salacylic acid!
    • Posted

      Sorry , sorry.

      Thank you for the explanation !

      It's great to know something everyday , more people need to read this too ๐Ÿ˜Š

      Stay well

    • Posted

      Paracetamol is acetaminophen, aka tylenol. ย Aspirin is bayers name for salicylic acid.

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