Why after 2 years with PMR have I now gone from muscle discomfort to knee and shoulder pain?
Posted , 11 users are following.
I have had PMR for 2 years now and been on Prednisone for the usual muscle discomfort and stiffness but the last few months have developed sore knees and shoulders that are waking me up during the night. It's now very painful at times to get down on my knees! Can any of you offer some explanations for what is causing this and suggestions for relief? Is mild stretching to keep the muscles toned for these areas still a good idea or opposed to none?
0 likes, 33 replies
gillian_25383 leonard12916
Posted
gillian_25383 leonard12916
Posted
dan38655 leonard12916
Posted
Mine stsrted with shoulders, neck and hips. Neck pain resolved quickly, but kness became involved at 3-4 months along.
At 8 months, the soles of my feet became very sore for a few months, then it was my thumb joints and wrists that became painful.
Lastly, I developed a painful ribcage area at 1-1/2 years along, made sneezing a painful experience. As I taper down to 5mg or so, the various symptoms re-awaken and force me to take a higher dose. Hours spent exercising (cycling) allow me to use a smaller dose. I am at 2 years along now. Eating less carbohydrate also seems to help.
PMR-caused issues tend to be symmetric, i.e. both shoulders, both feet, etc.
Blood tests can determine if there is osteo-arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis involvement.
EileenH dan38655
Posted
Not necessarily at all. There is no blood test for osteoarthritis - it is a clinical diagnosis with maybe backing with x-rays or MRI scans to see if the cartilage is worn away.
Theoretically, there is a blood test for RA, however you can have what is called sero-negative RA where the level is normal but there is joint damage. Also quite a high proportion of perfectly healthy people have a positive rheumatoid factor. There are other tests but they are also more specific.
iellen32 leonard12916
Posted
Stretching may be good of course- try it carefully.
With my Temporal Arteritis hopefully no pain associated with, I started having since the beginning, a lack of balance- called ATAXIA.
I do stretching a leg at a time as I sit on my comfortable arm chair and stretch my legs on a stool the same height as my arm chair! Very comfortable regardless and good for the circulation, too.
I have a long neck vibrator with a round puffy pad on the other extremity, called Acuvibe bought here in Atlanta at Brookstone time ago.
This electric vibrator is much more effective than any manual massage, believe me!
As I said I don't have any pain however
those same kind of massages and the stretching may help you, too, Leonard.
iellen32 leonard12916
Posted
Get help, get better as soon as you can!
Take care
Anhaga leonard12916
Posted
Oregonjohn-UK Anhaga
Posted
EileenH Oregonjohn-UK
Posted
Anyway - the pain clinic used steroid and muscle relaxant shots into the back muscles and we got it pretty well sorted. Then I found a Bowen therapist locally, even better. No sign of any of the muscle wasting from the Medrol - and all the physical problems went too. Despite over 6 years on pred. Just saying - doctor blame far too many things on pred. Sometimes it is - but sometimes it isn't.
Anhaga EileenH
Posted
paula63201 leonard12916
Posted
I had knee pain and lower leg discomfort as one of the last of the symptoms of PMR before I was diagnosed. For me, the symptoms started with a Bakers Cyst behind the knee and a slight fever and then stiff shoulders, neck, ribs and upper thighs (groin area) and pain. The stiffness and the pain got worse and worse and after 4 months, the wrists started hurting and selling, and a finger got so bad I couldn't bend it at all and then finally, the pain got to the knees with a feeling of thickness and heaviness in the calves. Thank God I got diagnosed at that point and the 20 mg Prednisone took care of all within a few days.
Now, 2 years later and down to 4 mgs, I experienced a sort of mini flare yesterday, with aching in knees, lower legs, neck and extreme fatigue. I was very very tired from an excess of pre-Christmas activity lack of sleep. The symptoms are gone today after a rest in the afternoon, yesterday and a good night's sleep. I still have some aching in the back of the neck, but only on the left side, so probably a pull of some kind and not PMR. (I freak out when any aches happen ). I also have an ongoing pain at the base of my right thumb, but attribute it to OA, as it clicks with certain movements.
Exercise is helpful to me. I have always exercised and my rheumy tells me to keep doing it to maintain strength and bone density. Here is my exercise routine: Yoga daily (at home) for about 1/2 an hour, which consists of mostly stretching, balance and strength building. I walk every day for about 30-40 minutes, do a lot standing up activity (cooking, painting, etc.) and use a Concept II Rower and row about 3 kilometers every other day.
I took yoga classes for a number of years (beginning at age 50) at a specific yoga center that teaches the poses in such a way as to not hurt oneself. I can contact you with the name of the type of yoga. The schools are all over the world and teach by level, so that you learn the basics in Level 1 and move on to Level II and then as you get stronger, you might move to a higher level. Most people stay at Level II. The basic concept is to learn a pose within your own physical limitations and using props, such as wall, chairs, blocks and straps, if necessary. For yoga, I would caution anybody to not push the body or involve the ego. As with anything, moderation, correct alignment and gentleness is key.
Otherwise, I sleep 7-8 hours a night, with occasional nights of insomnia. Try to drink 64 oz of water daily, in addition to coffee, tea and some wine.
I am 69 years old and retired November 13 (finally and happily).
Good luck to you,
Paula
leonard12916 paula63201
Posted
LayneTX paula63201
Posted
Is the anti inflammatory diet really helpful? I miss eating so many things that taste good. Dairy, grains, bread, wine, ... I want off this Prednisone so bad.
I finally got the PA at Rheumy to refer me to a dietician to hopefully get a food sensitivity test done. Want to see if that helps. Those with Fibromyalgia seem to get results from finding out what foods they are sensitive to.
i wish we could all be in same location to be active with. Ha, ha.
EileenH paula63201
Posted
paula63201 EileenH
Posted
Yes. Iyengar yoga.
iellen32 paula63201
Posted
Thank you for sharing!
Having Temporal Arteritis I do my daily workout, the same I have been doing for years, before I got this health condition.
I follow my diet, I cook from scratch avoinding sodium, sweets and going slowly on carbs. Love salmon, eat chicken, lots of veggies, greens, eggs, yogurt, etc
Well, Paula, wish you all the very best for the New Year!
Take care.
xxx
paula63201 iellen32
Posted
Congratulations to you, also! I think we follow the same diet, although I do love salty things like potato chips. Sometimes, I just can't help myself!
Happy New Year and Good Health to al!!
iellen32 paula63201
Posted
We get tired of the tasteless diet we must follow inspite using all the seasonings, dried herbs, etc
Cheers to the New Year with the best health possible!
xxx
mphooey iellen32
Posted
EileenH iellen32
Posted
There is no diet that anyone MUST follow. There is no diet that will make a significant difference to the illness causing the symptoms. A lot of us can identify that certain things don't agree with us but it is different for everyone so no particular diet will make much difference. One of the important antiinflammatory substances in diet is turmeric - I have no doubt there are other spices. In fact - isn't cinnamon antiinflammatory?
However - there is nothing tasteless about my diet! In fact - the best I've felt for ages was while on holiday in China where the diet for over 2 weeks was: Chinese!!!!!!!!
You will find all sorts of stuff from various sites that claim that eating this or not eating that will "cure" PMR. That taking this supplement or the other will perform a miracle. The only miracle will be for their bank balance!
iellen32 mphooey
Posted
Thank you for sharing
xxx
iellen32 EileenH
Posted
We must use our brain to analyze certai advoces as this one for a rigid diet in order to 'cure' an illness!
Recently I started using my senses on the selection of the food I eat.
Nothing bad happened so far.
Thank you.
xxx
LayneTX EileenH
Posted
Though now with acid reflux I am avoiding acid foods. The acid reflux is the Pred, I don't eat that many acid producing stuff and even water affects my esophagus. Plus I had stopped probiotics because I didn't know pill form available. FYI.
But am sick of missing comfort foods!
Lately I just say to heck with it and take a bite of something cheesy, warm, gewy, and even sweet! Of course if I have a big flare I might change my story!
The only thing I notice is my hands will ache if I've had more sugar than I should perhaps.
I do hope to have a food sensitivity test early next year because I miss bell peppers! I've stopped those recently just to see if I feel any different.
I'll report if this test report helps or not.