Hi all
Have been off work since Nov 16 but still don't feel well enough to go back to work. I work in the community and do a lot of driving I'm struggling with driving as arms & neck are stiff have limited movement can only turn my head a little each side does anyone else have these symptoms.
Hi Stanley123
Welcome to the forum, before my PMR started l'd had shoulder surgery, long term physio & a subsequent frozen shoulder, but suddenly one day l had what I described as 'Mirror Image Pain' in my other arm spreading to my shoulder. I found it increasingly difficult to drive as within a couple of weeks it was in my legs so my husband drove me to & from work.
With hind sight this is where I think it all went wrong for me, to this day I'll never know how l managed to go to work. I also found it difficult to turn my head, do my hair, dress myself etc
Once I started on the Prednisolone of course it was a different story, l was like a new person, reenergised, pain free & able to drive again.
You really do need to feel better before you consider returning to work as driving all day is going to be impossible.
What dose of Prednisolone have you been started on? There will be some others along shortly who can advise you about the dosage.
Good Luck 🍀
Mrs Nails 💅🏼
I also had to stay off work for a few months I am now working in the office instead of my usual role which has enabled me to return to work. My GP and OHS recommend this and wrote a letter to my employer. It is called a reasonable adjustment as we are covered by the disability act.
Hi
Before diagnoses I had 2 months of work then a further 2 months as I was totally exhausted
I don't drive but walk every where and find I am unable to do as much as I did 16 months on .
We are all different so listen to your body. some days I feel I can do anything then the reality of the illness hits when im unable to peg washing on the line without asking for help.
Have you thought of seeing Chiropractor could be that neck stiffness is nothing to do with PMR.
Best Wishes
Rose
I am very lucky I no longer have to make this decision about being well enough for work. I am sorry you're in that position. I don't often feel well enough to drive and get my OH to drive me most days...same reason as you, my neck feels stiff and therefore my range of turn feels limited. I also note that on days where I drive and do the task at the end of the drive (shopping/paying bills/ etc) I am more tired than when I have been driven.
Have you been seen by or asked to be seen by Occ Health? They are normally able to help you and will (in my experience) support you to return to work at your pace.
I suffered very badly with my neck when I had GCA a few years ago. This time with PMR my neck is ok but shoulders cause me pain. My work Occupational Health (ohs) was very supportive.
Stanley, you haven't said what dose of steroids you are on now - is it possible that you have reduced by too much too soon? However, having said that, you are still in the early days following diagnosis, and at this stage many of us would find it nigh impossible to work, let alone doing a lot of driving for the community. Speak to your employers, if necessary with a letter from your GP as back-up. Meanwhile, a heated pad may give you relief, if only temporary, especially with your neck pain.
Thankyou everyone for your replies. At the moment I'm on 20mg of pred not in as much pain as I was but still have a little in neck & shoulders. I have an appointment with OHU(work) tomorrow so hopefully will get it sorted. Work have been understanding up till now but I'm not sure for how long. Thanks again everyone.
Good Luck tomorrow 🍀
How long have you been on 20mg? It must be more than a month surely - and I would really expect most PMR pain would have improved more than it sounds to have by now. I would want a bit more investigation of your neck and shoulders - in my case that sort of problem would be due to myofascial pain syndrome affecting shoulder muscles and neck and that responds better to targeted management, with steroid injections and physio to mobilise the local trigger points in the shoulders.
But you ARE avoiding lifting things aren't you? Your muscles won't take kindly to you overusing them - they remain intolerant of acute exercise and will protest!
Thankyou for your comment. Yes I have been on 20 mg more than a month I have been trying to pace myself as I am learning from this forum to take things slow. It's not so much pain in my neck & shoulders it's more stiffness I can't move my head side to side or lift my arms properly it's frustrating as I don't feel safe to drive with this limited movement.
Know what you mean - and I think perhaps some input from a sport massage or sports physio might help. I had a lot of stiffness in that area which was due to associated muscle problems/spasm and they would have helped me.
I have had a return of back muscle stiffness over recent months - a couple of months ago my GP did a technique called quaddeln here, needling in the US (repeated subcutaneous injections of saline or lignocaine) which helped a lot. There was a bit of leftovers - and she gave me another dose this morning. The lignocaine is just to use as a vehicle but it can also be done "dry" as well. May well be seeking a practitioner who offers it.
There are a couple of other similar techniques that seem to achieve similar results.
Pmr pro thankyou I am going to make an appointment to go & see a physio. Hopefully they will sort the problem & I can get back to work. Keep up the good work on here I have learned more about PMR on here than from own Gp.
Should I go to work- UPDATE
Going back to work with PMR
Not coping to well today!!!!!
Do I have to go into work 
