Riddle Me This: ...when is an ache, just an ache... - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

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Riddle Me This

32 Replies

...when is an ache, just an ache?

Since starting mega does of steroids in November for PMR & GCA, I have felt a LOT of weird and unusual things, but "pain" per se, has not been one of them.

Even my old trick knee has quieted down!

Yesterday, I noticed my shoulders were really tight. Mostly across the levator scapulae, the trapizius, and into the deltoids. Also, I had a slight ache in one of my thigh muscles.

Now, I'll be the first to admit that I occasionally "over-do-it," and the day before yesterday, was no exception. Carrying two good sized carry bags, from Waitrose, filled with milk, flour, sugar, eggs, a bottle of wine (not for me!) and an array of delightful delectables... I made my way up the hill and then up the one flight of stairs into the flat. And, I cannot tell a lie... the day before that I cleaned the bathroom. : (

So, since I've been on 70mg of Pred (or higher) since New Year's, are these ghost pains just that? Random, minor aches and pains from over-doing- it, or are they something more sinister?

Curious minds want to know.

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32 Replies
SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane

Unfortunately there seems to be no get out of jail card free with steroids and non PMR aches and pains continue, especially pain from different posture. Some lie dormant like your trick knee only to pop up when you are on a lower dose of Pred. You definitely did overdo it with your shopping trip. We do it as a joint enterprise, I spend and pop interesting things into the trolley, he pays, lifts and loads and unloads the car. Seems fair to me.

in reply toSheffieldJane

I hoped that was the case! Thank you!!! Going to the shop is my daily ritual; it's the only thing that gets me out of the house. Hubby's at work, so I go it alone. Usually it's one bag; just what I need to make dinner... but as yesterday was Lemon and Cardamon Cookie Day there was a lot more! Thank you, have a GREAT day!

SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane in reply to

You have a great day too. We’ve started it early! There is always on line grocery shopping but you do have to plan ahead, it cuts down on my impulse buying though.

Rose54 profile image
Rose54 in reply to

Hi

Have you considered a shopping trolley I would not be able to manage without mine .I don't care if I look like a old lady it serves a purpose i cant carry things anymore.

I f i do i have the resulting tightness across the shoulders and tenderness on touch .

We are off to see Sleeping beauty a Ballet today with some shopping first but I wont be carrying anything but a very light handbag

in reply toRose54

I sadly admit my ego and vanity have not allowed me to consider a shopping trolley... it is however an idea who's time may have come! Thank you.

Rose54 profile image
Rose54 in reply to

If it makes it easier I have one you pull along not the push type

They do come in very bright colours

I to felt like you but found i could not do shopping and at the beginning of this illness when off sick for 3 months had to make a lot of changes .

Good Luck what ever you decide

in reply toRose54

I may have found EXACTLY the right trolley for my practical needs and my EGO!!!!

Thank you for the great suggestion!!!!!

thetrolleyrevolution.com/

Rimmy profile image
Rimmy in reply to

Groovy trolleys - 'cool' looking dudes - I wonder what they have stashed in them !!?

Insight329 profile image
Insight329 in reply to

Oh, yes! I’d have a hard time deciding which color/design. Very cool!

fren profile image
fren in reply to

oh.... love them.

Vision for not too distant future....

Sailing along on segwey, statuesque and stately, hunkey fireman alongside to help on and off, and to carry stick. Superbly styled elegant trolley in tow full of delightful and intrigueing purchases.

Possibly set in Milan,

Ahh well.............

in reply tofren

Ooooooo, love the setting and the "hunkey fireman" works for me! ; )

Carrollee profile image
Carrollee in reply to

Hi mamici1. I bought my first trolley a few years ago from that website. I believe they are Spanish. I got the black and white striped one and I love it. People stop and and ask me where I got it from (younger people) as its so cool. It's so smooth to pull along and you get loads in it. I actually put my shopping in it as I go around waitrose then empty it at the checkout and then repack after it goes thru til and nobody bats an eyelid. Take care cc 🤗

in reply toCarrollee

Yes, it is a Spanish company!!! I thought they were practical and cool!!!

Longtimer profile image
Longtimer in reply to

My sister has what they call the Rolls Royce of shopping trolleys....expensive but worth it...many people admire it.....even has a cold storage!.....she has RA and at 50 it has been a godsend

Insight329 profile image
Insight329 in reply to

A friend once gave me a shopping trolley for my birthday. I about kissed her on the lips. I lived in an area where if I could find a parking space 5 blocks from my loft, I felt blessed. Being lazy and wanting to get everything home in one trip, I often carried more than I should have and hurt myself. (I don’t think I’d seen a shopping trolley before that.). I used that with such gratitude! And I noticed others getting them, too. I still use it for work sometimes. I never associated it with the age of the user, but with distance and the weight of the packages. Good thing, too, because It saved my arms and back.

How did the cookies turn out? Did you enjoy using the antique cookie press you got as a gift? And are you feeling better today?

in reply toInsight329

Oh, thanks for asking... First , I know nothing about baking... it was just something I want to try. The dough, for this recipe was a bit crumby and rustic for a cookie stamp I think. The recipe called for rolling dough into a ball, pressing flat with a mug bottom and then using cookie stamp... but when I did the crumbly bits got stuck in the wooden stamp! I was told they tasted GREAT, which is all that really mattered. They looked okay. Think I need a proper shortbread recipe next time.

yogabonnie profile image
yogabonnie in reply to

Ha! I know from where you speak! Shopping trolly!!! old lady stuff. NO one uses them here in Minnesota ..mainly because we cannot drag them over the snow drifts...but also because we live in our fool cars. However when I spend a month or two in Stockholm I realize I AM an old lady and entitled to pull that funny little cart onto buses and subways with no one batting an eye. (since no one is really looking at me anymore) And I love it!! Go for it. Its a godsend! There are benefits to being "invisible" ! And now when we talk to ourselves inadvertently people just assume we are on our phones! (life was made for us boomers!)

in reply toyogabonnie

HA! Love it!!!! A piece I wrote on being just that INVISIBLE!

rantingsofamadwomanblog.wor...

teesher profile image
teesher in reply to

Don't worry about pulling a shopping trolley. All those glamourous air hostesses (or whatever they call them now) can be seen pulling teeny cases behind them. No-one carries a suitcase nowadays, even the guys push them along on dinky wheels. Embrace your shopping trolley. :-)

GOOD_GRIEF profile image
GOOD_GRIEF in reply to

Believe it or not I stll use my Radio Flyer red wagon from the 1950s. I can push or pull it, and even sit in it when I get tired.

in reply toGOOD_GRIEF

❤️ it... multi functional!!!

Jamie345 profile image
Jamie345 in reply to

I use a roller(not the car) to go to my local wAitrose it carries a fair bit of shopping but cannot disguise the fact I feel like an old woman using it, but is a godsend .

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

Hi,

Would say they are pains from doing too much - not GCA. Typical from carrying heavy bags! No wonder they are grumbling.

You have to remember underlying illness is still there, and adjust accordingly.

Lecture over 😏

in reply toDorsetLady

The Voice of Reason pulls me back into reality... Thank you!

SnazzyD profile image
SnazzyD

Hello,

Before my GCA last March blew up practically over night, during that week I was able to cycle 6 miles to Work and back and spend a day on my feet, go to the gym, do hours of hard labour in the garden without noticing. Pred (60mg for a short time and then 40mg for 6 weeks) then started to ‘dissolve’ my muscles rapidly. Within a couple of months my muscle bulk was noticeably less. Even basic domestic tasks would cause a pulled muscle and as for carrying shopping, well that was a no no and still is. I kept walking though even at my Pred weakest and wobbliest, even if it was the only thing I could do for the rest of my day. Your doses are much higher, so I really am not surprised you are are feeling the previous activities.

I like to do the scan and shop best. Pick up things only 4 times then. Going shopping without it means picking thing up 6 times. It doesn't sound much until you think about how many items you might pick up! 10 things = 60 reps plus carrying them home.

Rugger profile image
Rugger

I could do your 400 yards walk to Waitrose, but I wouldn't be able to buy anything as I couldn't carry those bags! When I pick up 4 pints of milk, it feels like a gallon. I go shopping in the car, put the individual items into the trolley and same again off the checkout - then from the trolley, into bags lined up in the car boot. When I get home, OH lifts the bags into the house. If he's not at home, single items are unloaded from the car into the house.... (OH works, but from home, so I'm lucky.)

Those trolleys look amazing - one will really suit you - post a photo! Just be careful hauling it up to the flat.

If you've ever been to a 'Knitting and Stitching Show' (maybe not!) you would have seen endless floral trolleys being wheeled around to contain the purchases of yarn etc. They're real trip hazards in a crowded exhibition hall!

in reply toRugger

Yes, I thought the trolley's looked cool and funky... and living in Brighton ANYTHING goes, so why not. I looked for one with skulls, but it was not to be found. I will post photo of my first ever TROLLEY OUTING! Hahahahaha! No worries, we have elevator so I'll use that if I'm trollying! : )

in reply to

I am sure there will be skull sticker online somewhere.

in reply to

Could be "wrapped' like they do with high end cars now.

in reply to

amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01HK2...

in reply to

Decoration for the new shopping Trolley, fabulous!!!! Thank you! Xxx

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