Any links reducing PREDS and worsening Sciatic?.

[winter10]

Briefly preds down to 12mgafter 5 months, MRI scan shows trapped nerve base of spine, unbelievable pain, walking with crutch, should say hobbling, prescribed Gaberpentin, high dose,effective for a while, but back/leg pains much worse since reducing PREDS, also blood test last week reveals CRP levels @ 8, which is exactly the same count as blood test back in January to ascertain whether or not I had PMR, is it coincidence that the nerve pains in my legs have got worse as I have reduced my PREDS , also had a few irritating twinges in upper arms/shoulders past couple of weeks, so shall be upping the PREDS again if the dreaded PMR rears its ugly head again,

Have appt with Doc. tomorrow re. CRP reading.

Welcome any replies in this.

[piglette]

I have had the most agonising sciatica recently. I find it gets worse and so it may not be the pred reduction. I find that I just pant with pain sometimes. It does vary during the day though. A friend said that stretching is good and then demonstrated as she seemed to tie her legs up in knots. The only trouble was we were in a coffee bar when she showed me! I found the only thing that helps me is physiotherapy. I have been given codeine for the pain which does not seem to help at all. I have not tried Gabapentin, do you find it helps?

[Tonysue in reply to piglette]

I tried Gabapentin when I was suffering with my fractured sacrum pain and found it to be no help.

[piglette in reply to Tonysue]

That is interesting, I read an article recently in the BMJ which reckoned it was not much use either although it is often prescribed.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

I might be wrong but as I understand it, it is only of any use for pain due to nerve damage - not due to perfectly good nerves signalling pain due to other damage such as fractures.

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

Perhaps the patients who found it worked had the placebo effect.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

Indeed!!!

[Toenti]

Hi,I have had terrible sciatic pain a short while ago while being on holiday. My only choises were crutches or to try a chiropractor. I hopped on one leg to the chiropractor. After the first treatment I could walk again. Still have some sciatic pain when walking for a while,but have improved enormously after a few more treatments. It may be worth a try. I hope you get better soon.

[Hidden]

In my case, the NHS Physiotherapy I was following with my Sciatica ,when they got to Spinal Stenosis with its trapped Nerve 4/5 , they recommended Op which followed. Excellent result out next day without Pain. Best wishes John 81

[jannie21 in reply to Hidden]

When I had sciatica some time ago I had acupuncture at the GP's, we have a physio dept there and a physiotherapist who is trained in acupuncture so I was very lucky. I had 6 sessions and the pain went, touch wood it has not come back. Gentle hugs to one and all.

Jannie

[piglette in reply to jannie21]

I had acupuncture for my sciatica and it did not make a blind bit of difference.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If you have a scan showing disc problems as a cause then it could well be coincidence. If the cause of the sciatic irritation/entrapment is muscular, due to piriformis syndrome or myofascial pain syndrome for example, then the higher doses of pred do often help calm down the inflammation in the muscles and reduce the level of pinching but eventually you get to a dose that isn't enough. So it could be a case of both - mechanical disc entrapment and also the PMR returning because your dose is too low and tightening the muscles. If I get my myofascial pain syndrome symptoms sorted separately I can manage on a lower pred dose.

[SandraMarric]

Hi. I had dreadful sciatica a few months ago but sorted it with physio and Pilates. However I have since developed a lot of paraesthesia. My GP isn't sure what is causing it but is setting up all kinds of tests plus a brain scan! I'm hoping it's all due to PMR/steroids but I'm only on 4mg.

Let us know how you get on. My physio showed me a technique for releasing the sciatic nerve which was very helpful.

Best wishes, Sandra

[Gary1310]

Yes! Had an attack of Sciatica about a year after I completed my PMR steroid program. Was a first for me…..son took me to ER. Spondolothisis (sp) was diagnosed after X-ray. Have not had a problem since. Guess it is a spine problem