Now 2 years after diagnosis I am on 3mg Pred daily for the last several months. I always feel that 'this is not the best time to reduce'. As I explained before - I am a full time carer for my husband - which brings its own stress. My question is....I had a sore neck (towards left side/ not stiff and not very sore - but persisting) and went to my G.P. - being aware that heart issues can manifest differently in women...and had indeed been sent for an angiogram a number of years ago due to jaw, neck and arm discomfort. All was well then. On my recent visit my (excellent) G.P. said that he thought my neck discomfort was a viral swollen glands issue. My neck discomfort has improved but now I have aching ( not severe and not constant) in my left arm. I always thought that PMR pain was bilateral. Is it possible to have PMR ache on one side of your body only? Thank you!
Arm ache and some neck discomfort: Now 2 years... - PMRGCAuk
Arm ache and some neck discomfort
Are you left handed? Steroid use can also give us muscle weakness and with all your responsibilities you may well have done something to your arm. What was the diagnosis the last time you had this sequence of pains?
I’m not sure that I quite buy the gland diagnosis. It’s usually a sign of infection when they are up though. Do you think you are ill with something other than PMR?
PMR pain is bilateral but it can have other muscular conditions alongside. Maybe a physiotherapist could make an assessment of it?
If you are at all worried go back to your GP.
You are probably, unavoidably, doing too much. Would it be possible for you to have a cleaner in a couple of hours a week perhaps?
Thank you for prompt reply!
Thanks again Sheffield Jane! Am only now getting time to acknowledge replies properly. I did go back to my G.P. last week. He knows that I am stressed from caring full time for my husband. My B.P. which is normally controlled with B.P. meds is rising, so he has put me on stress reducing meds and already soreness in neck and arm have improved. Nonetheless I am on 'high do' a lot of the time and also tired. My inflammation levels were fine in my blood tests.
I very recently have arranged a carer for my husband in for 2 hours twice each week....early days and it is minimal....but a start in admitting exhaustion!
I wish you all good wishes and thank you for your concern!
These are all good moves Nanor. With the best will in the world you cannot do it all. I forget about old fashioned tension, I often catch myself with my jaw clenched. I wish you and your husband well during this trying time.
Ah....me too...jaw clenching is so familiar to me!! Thank you for your good wishes.....like me you seem to be a 'night owl'!!
Nanor, is it possible that you have done something to cause a muscle injury? After being on Pred long term at higher doses, your muscles are likely to have weakened causing them to rebel quite easily if you have been overusing them. I think these easily pulled muscles can particularly manifest themselves around the low dose that you are on at present. It happened to me at the 3mg dose - my shoulder muscles went into knots and a physio sorted them out with gentle massage, heat treatment and ultrasound. On the other hand, perhaps the neck problem has had a knock-on effect on the arm due to holding your neck awkwardly whilst in pain in that area. Perhaps worth checking with your Dr just to rule out anything more serious going on.
Thank you Celtic for your concern in replying! My apologies for the delay in acknowledgement....but as a carer I am "on the go" all the time! As one of my husband's problems is lack of balance - yes I am constantly helping him move around the house...sit...get into the shower etc....so my arms do suffer! I have gone back to my G.P. since - who correctly realises that I am stressed from caring. As I have B.P. issues...normally under control with meds....nonetheless rising at present...he prescribed some de-stressing med for a fortnight. Already soreness has improved vastly. My inflammation levels in blood tests were normal. I really appreciate the bother which you and others go to to help. May you be blessed for your care!
pillow? try a new one! just in case it is muscle. and make sure the pillow is up high enough so your shoulders aren't also resting on it just your head!
Yogabunny....thank you! In a 'weak moment' about 2 years ago I spent almost 100 euros on a Kauffmann pillow...but yes I have been giving it a rest recently.....must go back to it! I had done some research on pillows at the time and yes....it is comfortable. Thank you for reminding me!
Hi. I carry tension in my neck and occipital muscles. Apparently I'm a shoulder shrugger! I recently found an excellent physical therapist who released some myofascial knots in the trapezius muscle, gave me some exercises to release the shoulder tension and a technique to help my occipital muscles when they go into spasm. Perhaps tension could be the problem for you? You have a lot to deal with. Because I was diagnosed with gca I worry if my neck and occiput become tight, but a couple of paracetamol and the exercises sort it.
You are 'spot on' PRnewbie! Tension and stress seem to be the culprits! I went back to my G.P. last week..as I was still anxious about the soreness. I have an excellent G.P. for many years. I was prescribed a fortnight of stress reducing med....and already soreness is almost gone. Caring on a full time basis is stressful physically and emotionally..and sometimes it crescendos! Thank you so much for taking the trouble to reply and apologies for delay in my response!
It is very unusual - but you could have a separate shoulder problem associated with the PMR. PMRnewbie mentions myofascial pain syndrome - that's what causes me that sort of pain.
PMRpro....you are amazing the way you help everybody! It seems that recent high levels of stress....largely due to caring for my husband...due to his illness has caused my soreness and pain...as having gone back to my G.P. and having been prescribed anti stress med for a fortnight ...the soreness is almost gone. Thank you for your reply and apologies for my late acknowledgement....caring is a very 24 hour job as you realise...so moments to myself come at the midnight hour!
It is a recent bad habit, because I feel better in bed and it’s morning where my family are ( Australia) and I get films, photos and even some words there is always someone on here too. I bet this is your only me time too. I am often alone in the daytime because my oh travels for work. So in a sense I have sleeping company which is nice.
Sometimes I just wake up and log on too. Breaking all the sleep hygiene rules. I took double Thyroxine by accident today, so I am even more wired. ( mistake).
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