Flare up.

[Zellamze]

Having a massive flare up! Started on 15 now down to 9 doing the slow reduction of one mg per month. All going well then had a blood test to check CRP levels etc and showed an increase level. The doctor told me to go back to ten mg but I'm still in loads of pain and feel really stiff. My hips and shoulders are so painful and I'm finding if hard to lift the kettle again. I feel so fed up. Nothing works for the pain. Can anyone help? 🙈

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi zellamze,

Sorry to hear about your flare. Can only suggest going a little higher if 10mg is not helping. You need to get things back under control ASAP. Can you speak to surgery, and get advice over the phone?

[Zellamze in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks, yes I can try?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You might need a few days even higher to clear out the accumulated inflammation, just like at the start. Some doctors like to use 5mg above where the flare started - if 2 or 3 days does the job you can then drop back quite quickly to where you were last OK.

Had you been having the CRP checked on the way down? It obviously works for you so it is a useful monitor to be sure you dose is still enough. If you have emptied the bucket of inflammation it can take a while to fill up and overflow as a flare - but the CRP might have caught that earlier.

[Zellamze]

I'm on ten? Should I go back onto 15mg for a few days? Then drop to 10mg again. I've phoned the doctor but can't get a call? They told me to call back at one today and I might get an emergency appointment later. I'm in loads of pain now. 😢

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Zellamze]

How long did the original 15mg dose take to work? We can't say anything about what dose to take - but if it were me, I'd have thought trying another 5mg even if it is just today might show if this is really the PMR flaring and whether you will need more than 10mg to manage it before you see a doctor.

[Zellamze]

When I got put on 15 it work immediate , by day three I was pain free. I think I might take 5 more as I can't lift the kettle in my right arm without massive pain, my shoulder feels like it's frozen and I have pain shooting down my arm. This has come on over the last few days

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Zellamze]

You obviously can't go on like that for long can you. Though - is the bad part all over like the PMR was at first or is it limited to your right side?

[Zellamze in reply to PMRpro]

Right side, neck, hips and upper legs and shoulders. I feel quite alone sometimes and get frightened by the pain as nothing works .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Zellamze]

Legs on both sides then? But it could be something else superimposed on the PMR. I have that problem at times - probably do at the moment.

I think I'd be down at the practice insisting on an appointment NOW - it is so infuriating when you are taken ill after the last emergency slot has gone. Especially on a Friday. No wonder so many people head off to A&E. There should be a "turn up and wait" emergency surgery parallel to the appointment slots. That's the only sort we have here in italy and my daughter's practice in Whitby UK has one daily too. You will be seen - just take a good book.

[Zellamze]

Thanks, I have manage to get a GP telephone call later today after two. Hopefully will get some more advice. You're right about being ill on a Friday though? Are you suppose to just wait and be in massive pain all over the weekend? This is why I feel scared and along. Thanks for your advice. 🐝

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Zellamze]

Our GP shares a Friday pm surgery with a colleague in another village - both single-handed practices as is normal here. They take it in turns so you don't have to wait until Monday - Monday surgeries are always awful anyway! But they also would call in to see you on the way home. Now that doesn't happen much in the UK does it!

[Stroppymoo]

Perhaps up to ten nine alternate days AND get some paracetamol into blood stream! CRP levels can raise if you have a cold on the way.