Injury Made Worse by Flare?

[Klah]

I am a little hesitant to write in when it seems there are so many in recent days with really disheartening issues with this PMR/GCA. I wish I had some helpful information for those of you in crisis.

I have been diagnosed by an ortho with shoulder tendonitis and had my first physical therapy session yesterday, which made it worse. The intermittent pain is actually in both shoulders, but I am right handed, so the really painful injury occurred on the right side.

The dog yanked the leash to chase a squirrel. I might have been in a mini flare before the injury..? Am I injured at all?....or is it a bad flare that is just worse on one side? I have upped my prednisone from 3m to 6m for the last few days....is that enough of an increase? The doctor recommended a cortizone shot, but I wanted to try upping the prednisone because I feel I can back out of it successfully (since I am almost 5 yrs. with the PMR). Any suggestions or advice are welcome.

[Hidden]

Morning Klah

Shoulder Injury’s make you feel so awful, the pain is intense & PT sessions can make you feel much worse, at least in my case they did!

As it’s an injury (& maybe flare) you could try a pain killer as well & see if that helps. A warm wheat pack is also helpful but with the weather as it is, it may not be ideal! Keeping your shoulder relaxed is also a good idea as any tension can make the muscles spasm!

I had issues with my right shoulder last year & the Ortho Guy gave me a Cortisone Injection, it didn’t hurt & within 3 days l had a much better range of movement, l had two Physio Sessions but was very wary about any deep kneading, so l adapted the exercises to suit me & l still have good movement.

Hope you feel better soon, all our pain is relevant to us & everyone here will support you through this, there are a few Shoulder Buddies on here!

Best Wishes

Mrs N x

[Klah in reply to Hidden]

Very helpful information...thank you! I refused the cortisone only because I have been getting SynviscOne shots in my knees for a few years and last year I got an “extra boost” of cortizone in both needs at the doctor’s suggestion. Well, I got a “period” that lasted for a month!...and, at my age, 72...had to have the whole nine yards, endometrial biopsy, etc. Evidentally this is not an uncommon reaction to cortisone. I agree with you...I think I will cool it with the kneading on these weakened PMR muscles!

[Hidden in reply to Klah]

Well, that’s a side effect you could well do without!......

Hope you feel better soon, another thing l used to do was run the shower longer on the affected shoulder to help relax the muscle, as that’s the problem with shoulders they affect the neck, arm & back as well. Just try lifting it gently as far as you can then go back, say 10% & hold it there, l also used to ‘walk’ my arm slowly up the shower cubicle too which helps stretch it out. Don’t overdo any exercise always pull back a little but each day it will get a little better! I do stretches in bed every morning which l feel helps keep my arms stronger.

Good Luck 🍀

Mrs N

[Klah in reply to Hidden]

Will try all of those things...especially running the hot shower!

[stellafmdm in reply to Hidden]

But stop before it hurts and don't push through pain, it only makes it worse!

[clieder in reply to Hidden]

Great method. The warmth and slow movement really helps. And, Klah, also, the simple push down with both shoulders for 5 seconds, even once or as many reps as feels okay, really helps me get the muscles working back by shoulder blades and takes pressure off the cuff, reducing tendon entanglement. Any hunching upwards exacerbates everything for me, so those exercises remind me to "keep my shoulders down."

I had bursitis or some other 'itis in right shoulder and have been battling S1 problems affecting piriformis and hamstring in left leg when one morning I awoke and could hardly get out of bed. Classic PMR shoulders, hips and neck. I was on 6 mg and doing great until all these other issues. (Three years into PMR and never been lower than 4 mg.) That day, I took an extra 5 (11 mg) and reduced by one each day. By 7, I was pretty uncomfortable by 4 a.m. and by 6 mg, I was back hurting a lot. Went to 8 and stayed there for a week and then 8/7 on alternating days now for two weeks and was doing okay. To confuse the issue, I just had an injection in S1 two days ago and the massive dose, while local, affected my entire body. No pain anywhere from PMR or bursitis in shoulder and ambition to burn, to a fault. No sleep on night one, clitoris spasms while lying down (does anyone else get those from injections?) and day two cleaning and pulling weeds like a mad woman. Now, we will see what really happened after that wears off a bit.

So hard to distinguish PMR from hip and shoulder stuff affected by skeletal issues. I just go by whether pain is bi-lateral in the morning to identify the source best I can.

[ConventCassie in reply to Klah]

Good gosh!!! That’s useful info to share. Wow!!! I was offered a shot for my shoulder (and probably more places I can’t remember) & I’ve always turned it down on general principles and now because of the Pred.. Just wow! So lucky. (Me) I too had the PT “wreck” my shoulder before I even had PMR. Whatever we’ve got up there needs “movement” according to my Internist. So swimming is OK (thou painful). I can’t imagine trying to walk dogs with my shoulder. I use a hot water bottle & my Intenist taught me a stretching technique with a weight that makes it feel good. (You don’t lift it you just move it around in circles like a pendulum.)

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

I might have gone for the cortisol injection, in fact I do with OA in shoulder. Try warmth or use ibuprofen gel sparingly on it as well. Easy on the physio!

The extra Pred may helpif it’s a flare.

[Klah in reply to DorsetLady]

Would t be better if I went to 8m prednisone for a week or so, rather than 6m....then back it down over the course of another week?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Klah]

Yes it probably would. Batch before it gets any worse.

[Valnvaughan]

Have you considered acupuncture? Just an idea.

[piglette in reply to Valnvaughan]

I had acupuncture a couple of times and it had no affect at all, but seems to work for some people. I visit an osteopath who is brilliant. I have not been too happy with physios. Rheumie gave me a cortisone injection in my shoulder which did not work, but still hurts to touch five weeks later. Oh well.

[Klah]

I had acupuncture a couple of times, years ago, for my back and it really helped...good idea! Thanks!

[Klah]

Seems one massage felt better for a half of a day, then worse. Physical therapy hurt for two days. I feel like rest, ice and more prednisone is working for me!