I am suffering with pain in both shoulders. I have a reticular cuff tear on the left and osteoarthritis in both. I have been tapering down slowly and now take 5mg of pred. I have difficulty getting cardigans,jumpers and coats on. It is painful to do it. Being bilateral I can't be sure if the problem lies with the reduction in pred or the general degeneration. Any thoughts welcome.
Thank you all.
Liz.
If it is bilateral I'd be inclined to say you have gone to too low a dose. Try a bit more and see if it eases. Pred doesn't make THAT much difference to OA and if a bit more makes life easier - postpone further reduction for a while.
Thank you for the sound advice pmr pro. It is so good to have your expert advice. Will increase to 7.5 and keep it there for a while Mrs Rheumy won't be pleased but then she never is! Thinks I should get off pred asap. Thanks again.
Liz.
I'm sure she does think you should get off pred asap - unfortunately she isn't in charge: PMR is! It isn't her pain - and PMR lasts as long as it lasts. Her being determined you should use less pred won't make any positive difference - but it may lead to a flare and you having to go way back higher. Which won't happen if you go slowly and heed your body warning you!
Hi,
As PMRpro says probably PMR, but could be a bit of both. My OA pains came roaring back when I got to lower doses of Pred.
MIght be worth asking for a cortisone injection in the worst shoulder to see if that helps. I know it sounds silly asking for that when you're already on steroids, but it is slightly different and is directed at the point of pain. I had one in my shoulder at beginning of July just before I went on holiday and it's still effective now - wish I could say the same about my knee!
Thank you DL. The doc who does the injections at the surgery is a monster. She refused to give me an injection for my reticular cuff tear because I was on steroids for my pmr. I was in a great deal of pain for weeks. Have had both knees done DL and they are brilliant knees.
Liz.
Good, so glad to hear your knees are A1. My GP has been talking about, but doing nothing, regarding my knee for last 2 years. Finally, after coming down with bursitis in opposite hip because of walking badly he has finally referred me to hospital - so I live in hope that something will be done, although another 5 weeks before 1st consultation!
Meanwhile my other hip/leg is being worked on (at my expense of course) and a trip to New Zealand looming. So earliest anything major will be next spring, still hoping they can patch me up enough to enjoy my trip!
Another doctor who doesn't get the difference between steroids and cortisone injections! At least mine has been giving me them for my knee - 1st one four years ago when I was on 8mg - pity they didn't work!
Good luck in getting the knees fixed. Hope your trip will be enjoyable. Thank you for helping me.
Liz.
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