Shoulder Bursitis

[Purplecrow]

I recently had a flare that took several months for me to recognize...call it denial...

however, ultimately I raised my pred from 2.5 mg to 10, then quickly tapered to 7. My rheumy recommended I hold at that level for 4-6 weeks, to resolve the inflamation, before beginning my taper. I am now working down to 6 mg., but shoulder bursitis is giving me fits!

I dont have other PMR symptoms, but the shoulders are easily aggravated, with right being worse than left.

Any thoughts?

Thanks, Jerri

Diagnosed PMR 2013.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Joint involvement in PMR often takes a long time to resolve with oral pred - joints don't have an ideal blood supply to deliver the pred to the source of the inflammation. Originally it took about 6 months for my hips to stop hurting, much the same for my feet.

Has anyone offered steroid shots? They are far more targetted at the source of the pain.

[Purplecrow in reply to PMRpro]

Tnanks Pp, I wondered that also...must say, other than the shoulders, my flare has resolved. Think i shall call rheumy for an injection...summer is ticking along and I want to travel, driving r.v. Will be easier if shoulders dont scream at me😜

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Purplecrow]

Definitely see where you are coming from!!!!

[Coachev in reply to PMRpro]

Yes. Definately helpful.

[Polywotsit PMRGCAuk team member]

Hi - just wondering whether you might have rotator cuff problems - a little discussed souvenir from the years of steroids? I was told I would just have to grin and bear it and take painkillers for a year and a half. And you know what? I did!

[Purplecrow in reply to Polywotsit]

Ohhhh my...... never thought of that charming little option...

My shoulders have always been my PMR indicators, early on, ...and later,

when I was messing with a flare or pred issues...they were usually the first to argue with me...

this does not feel like that (🤪), but does have markers of bursitis, as in location of the pain.

If I dont have a reasonable recovery from rest, ice, etc, the next stop will be doctor intervention.

Thanks, jerri

[Hindags in reply to Purplecrow]

This is such a helpful post. ME TOO. I've been told rotator cuff. And Ive been told bursitis. Right shoulder. That's where my PMR started. But this doesn't feel like PMR pain. It feels like one or the other, rotator cuff, bursitis, or probably both.

One of the reasons buying a car was so difficult was that most "sporty feel" cars have steering that is too stiff for my right shoulder. For me, making left turns, lifting the arm up and over to the left, can easily irritate the right shoulder. Luckily I found a car that more for old fogies like me, soft steering. Now I just have to find the right combo of cushions to see over the steering wheel and support my back. LOL

[Purplecrow in reply to Hindags]

Oh, I do understand...driving is not pleasant right now...the pillows are for my right Shoulder... seems to ease the stress on the sore spot..

Doncha' love gettin OLD!!🤪 Course, the alternative to getting old is getting dead❣️, and I aint for that either🤓

[ConventCassie in reply to Polywotsit]

And then did it go away? I want to play tennis.

[Purplecrow in reply to ConventCassie]

I still have it...going on 4 weeks, although somewhat better now, still easily tweaked.

Good luck.

[Hollyseden]

I have no clue about bursitis or rotator cuff but I do know that my shoulders give me most pain. Getting dressed or undressed, washing my hair and blow drying it knock the stuffing out of me. My shoulders squeal in protest 😟 I'm just loathe to mention it to doctor because I would expect the 'need to get you off steroids' lecture Seat belt is ouchy and have given up on big shoulder bags because they hurt my shoulders so much 😟😞 ho hum. Ain't this fun..... *not*

[Purplecrow in reply to Hollyseden]

Ditto, what you say...! I

have chucked my sholder bag for a cross chest type...it helps👍

Have you tried the menthol rubs for shoulders? My chiropractor turned me on to some spray, called biofreeze. It works well, temporary, but nonetheless...

Kind regards, Jerri

[piglette in reply to Purplecrow]

My physio introduced me to Biofreeze. Mine is an ointment rather than a spray though.

[Hollyseden in reply to Purplecrow]

Could be worth a try. Thank you. I do have a magnesium spray with menthol but don't think it works same way as the biofreeze you mention? It does helps with night cramps in my legs though.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hollyseden]

If your shoulders are still that painful it needs investigation - it could be the PMR and you haven't got the inflammation cleared out - but it could also be rotator cuff or another problem. If you still have symptoms - he can't do the "need to get you off steroids" stuff. He hasn't dealt with the problem yet.

[JaquieOboe in reply to Hollyseden]

Got same problem..told torn rotator cuff etc., arthritis from old injuries too. What I'd like to know: how is it that a few people are talking about being told the bursitis/ arthritis/ whatever is related to previous over use of steroids and others are talking about a course of prednisolone (corticosteroid) being a thing that will help? I sure don't want to make it even worse down the track by using prednisolone to try and ease the pain now! What to do?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to JaquieOboe]

Injury may be due to repeated use of steroid shots - bursitis is not due to that. They are talking about different things.

[Purplecrow]

Did it give relief? It is also available off Amazon.

[ConventCassie]

That’s exactly what I’ve got. I’m going to try a hot water bottle.

[polymy]

Be very careful with your shoulders. Mine are both wrecked. Left one has tendons snapped and torn muscle. Right one had a huge bursa that had to be aspirated. The consultant took 45 ml of fluid off it. He followed this with a cortisone injection. It has helped somewhat but neither shoulder is pain free. Movement is also limited. Muscle is also torn. Don’t do any movement that causes you pain.

Liz.

[Purplecrow in reply to polymy]

that sounds awful, so sorry for you.

[Hollyseden in reply to polymy]

😨 ouch doesn't cover it. Sounds agony. Poor you

[polymy in reply to Hollyseden]

It is indeed awful and is life changing. So many ordinary everyday things I can’t do.

Liz.

[Lynnray]

Hi I’ve got bursitis in both arms confirmed by mri and ultra sounds, both have been injected with steroids twice

But rhumy just keeps telling me to up my painkillers to 8 a day co proxamol , and reduce the steroids in my last consultation she shouted at me because I said I don’t want to be hooked on painkillers just so I can reduce the steroids,, I have got down to 7mg and try to reduce by 1 mg a month to please her but shoulders have been hell

Dressing washing hair lifting grandkids all so painful

What happens when I get down to zero steroids but hooked on morphine which she offered for pain?..

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lynnray]

I hope you shouted back! Why are they happy to hand out addictive pain relief but not allow proper use of pred as an antiinflammatory to deal with the CAUSE?

Time for a new rheumy if you ask me!

[Lynnray in reply to PMRpro]

Yes I agree , what have they got against pred!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lynnray]

They have been taught to be terrified of it - they assume the low doses for PMR are as bad for side effects as the high doses for GCA. They aren't. And even high dose pred has no side effect worse than the potential worst scenario with GCA: going blind.

[JaquieOboe in reply to PMRpro]

Sound like good advice. Very bad to shout at patient. Some of these overpaid dills must've got qyufief with coupons off Weetirs packets I think.

[Purplecrow]

Understand your concern.