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Stiff neck

Posted , 8 users are following.

renee39320
renee39320

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 well😄!

1 like, 22 replies

22 Replies

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  • tina-uk_cwall
    tina-uk_cwall renee39320

    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

    • renee39320
      renee39320 tina-uk_cwall

      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!
    • tina-uk_cwall
      tina-uk_cwall renee39320

      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

  • iellen32
    iellen32 renee39320

    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!

    🌺

    • renee39320
      renee39320 iellen32

      Posted

      are you thinking it's worse than it is! Should I really be worried?
    • iellen32
      iellen32 renee39320

      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!

      🌺

  • jancorb
    jancorb renee39320

    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

    • renee39320
      renee39320 jancorb

      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!
  • Handbrake
    Handbrake renee39320

    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
    • renee39320
      renee39320 Handbrake

      Posted

      Good idea! I assume paracetamol is the same as ibuprofen in the US?
    • tina-uk_cwall
      tina-uk_cwall renee39320

      Posted

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

      regards, tina

       

    • iellen32
      iellen32 renee39320

      Posted

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

      I take every morning Advil after breakfast.🌺

    • iellen32
      iellen32

      Posted

      You better check it out to be sure.

      Advil and Tylenol are both Ibuprofen

    • renee39320
      renee39320 iellen32

      Posted

      Advil is ibuprofen and Tylenol is acetaminophen. Spirit is salacylic acid! What does paracetamol fall under?
    • renee39320
      renee39320

      Posted

      sorry....spell check! Aspirin is salacylic acid!
    • iellen32
      iellen32 renee39320

      Posted

      Sorry , sorry.

      Thank you for the explanation !

      It's great to know something everyday , more people need to read this too 😊

      Stay well

    • Anhaga
      Anhaga renee39320

      Posted

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