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  3. Polymyalgia Rheumatica and GCA

Topical Ibuprofen anyone?

Posted , 4 users are following.

misdiagnose
misdiagnose

Has anyone tried using Deep Heat or one of the other pain relief rubon medications bought from the chemist? 

2 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • EileenH
    EileenH misdiagnose

    Posted

    Most people I have come across with PMR symptoms find that topical pain relief medications, like oral pain medications alone, do not help much, of at all with PMR pain. Towards the later stages of pred treatment, as the pred dose falls, osteoarthritis pain may reappear since higher doses of pred also reduce that to some extent. Then topical pain killers would possibly have a role - except that most of the topical medications contain NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and it is not advised to combine pred and NSAIDs, even in topical form, as it increases the risk of gastric bleeding.
  • misdiagnose
    misdiagnose

    Posted

    I am wondering why this post has not attracted more response. I was speaking with a GP who has a large number of care home residents on their list. I asked how many have a PMR diagnosis - none evidently! Yet, they all have stiffness in the morning, elevated inflammatory markers, can't raise their arms above their heads, bend down or walk up or down a small step. However, this GP wouldn't dream of giving a patient a complex systemic drug like Prednisone, no matter how cheap. They tell relatives to buy a cream or gel designed to relieve pain in muscles and joints and have always found local treatment suitable for patients whatever their age who have muscle and joint pain. It's more expensive but far bette according to this GP. How is it that other GPs do not think likewise I wonder? If hey would use!eyad the had tymptoms I wonder what they would use?
    • EileenH
      EileenH misdiagnose

      Posted

      I had PMR for 5 years, no pred. I tried using ibuprofen both systemically and topically. It didn't work. Plain and simple. Why it is suggested for "mild PMR" I have no idea - because even topical gels are associated with gastric problems when used on a regular basis.

      "How is it that other GPs do not think likewise I wonder?" - because he is wrong. I hope if I end up in a residential home I would not be treated so badly. The chances are that many of those patients would be able to live independently or at least very much better, at least able to walk independently AND MUCH MORE SAFELY. The risk of falling when you have PMR is greatly increased - I was only 51 when mine started and I was fit, doing aerobic classes 2 or 3 times a week. I had to stop because my balance was affected and I tripped over my own feet, never mind mats, steps and kerbs. I had several heavy falls.

    • MrsO-UK_Surrey
      MrsO-UK_Surrey misdiagnose

      Posted

      The reason the post hasn't attracted "more respone" is probably because most of us with PMR will have tried various products to try and ease our pain pre-diagnosis, and have found that they are useless. 

      That GP is failing  those care home residents on his list who "have elevated inflammatory markers, can't raise their arms above their heads, bend down or walk up or down a small step".  Those elevated inflammatory makers point to them having an auto-immune illness that should be investigated and can be treated to relieve them of their pain and stiffness.  He is being so cruel.

  • b17941
    b17941 misdiagnose

    Posted

    I developed PMR approx. 1.5 yrs ago.  I am male, and will turn 50 in a couple of months.  My GP suspected PMR, sent to Rheumatologist, who refused to diagnose PMR since I was under 50.  As a result I have treated myself with ibuprofen  (starting with 800mg taken around midnight to 2am), then 400mg, then 200 mg as my symptoms became less severe about 9 months ago.  Repeated tests have shown my CRP levels to be dropping fairly consistently to the poiht my rheumy said they were in normal range last August (I haven't tested recently but I believe they have dropped further due to syptoms continually becoming less severe). About a month ago I switched from ibuprofen to naproxen 220mg per day.  I hate to even write this so as not to jinx myself, but I can now get through the day with out any NSAID and sometimes I don't notice any symptoms.

    Point is, I had no opportunity to use pred since I never did get a diagnosis from rheumy for pmr.  I can vouch for the fact that, at least in my case, nsaids had a huge effect in that without them - particularly the winter 13-14, they improved my quality of life greatly.  I am aware of stomach issues related to nsaids, so often I would stop taking them to see where things were at, and symptoms would be much worse.

    That has been my experience.

    I intend to write a longer post in the next while documenting my experience.

    I have also used myoflex topical (not sure on hte ingredient offhand) on my shoulders and butt at times over the last 6months or so, and I find it does provide some relief.

    B

     

  • misdiagnose
    misdiagnose

    Posted

    The scandal is that so many elderly people in care homes across the country are not diagnosed with PMR and therefore are at risk of GCA. If they were diagnosed, they could receive Prednisone but because they are not, at least some are treated with topical rub on antinflammatory creams so getting some help for jont and muscle pain. 
  • misdiagnose
    misdiagnose

    Posted

    For many years, doctors have been advised to use specific treatments when they are available and to use topical treatments rather than systemic ones. I have spoken to several people now with PMR who have used branded and unbranded rub on creams and gels for shoulders, seat and thighs and have found immediate relief and they have been able to avoid using prednisolone or have been able to reduce the dosage. Why has this not been a research study I wonder? 
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