Morning peeps.
I have just reduced from 7.5 mg pred to 7. I always have a pain in my breastbone but it has got worse. Does anyone else suffer with this? Also, pelvic pain, much like a period pain (from what I can remember). I didn’t have pain in these places when I first had pmr. It was shoulders,legs,groin and hips.
Costochondritis is the likely cause of this kind of pain, I think it is inflammation in the tendons that connect the ribs to the sternum. I had it many moons ago, caused by carrying heavy shopping home. It was extremely painful. I am searching my memory here. I think they examined me for gall bladder trouble and almost removed it. Thankfully I avoided unnecessary surgery and eventually this awful pain subsided with rest and painkillers. I have a feeling that we could be more prone to such injuries with PMR and it’s treatment Pred. Whatever, this needs a specific visit to your doctor, there are a lot of precious organs encased in this area. I have also experienced the “ period” type pain you describe, that went as mysteriously as it came. There are many phases in this condition, each one brings its own challenges. Apologies for any spelling errors etc. My spell check is not playing.
Thank you Jane. I’ve had the breastbone pain for about 2 years now. I have mentioned it to my rheumy but he mainly ignores it. Trouble is I see a different one every time I attend. Apparently they can't fill the vacancy they’ve had for about 2 years. Think pelvic pain may be linked to bad back. Oh the joys !!
I wonder if you would get more joy from a good physio? They know and love this stuff. Mine has lots of PMR patients.
When I first started going to doc re aches n pains, one of the gps sent me to a+e. They diagnosed costocondritis and sent me away with brufen and cocodamol. Did nothing for me until I eventually got pred. Still get pains in my chest sometimes so think maybe that costocondritis is lurking in the background Ouch but I'm sure it's not as bad as other lurgies. Life would be so much easier if I didn't need to move my arms.
My husband thinks I don’t. He said the other day that he does everything! 😂. I will have to leave him for a week to demonstrate what a filthy pit he would be living in without my constant efforts.
I couldn't possibly leave my husband. Who would carry the shopping!! 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
It's his wallet that interests me more when shopping for food...
My sis and I joke that we can lift our weight in furniture and groceries!! (Well, I used to be able to...) 
Hello, I’d say the pain in the pelvic area should be checked out. Yes, ligament/back problems in that area can cause deep feeling pain that almost feel visceral, but so can many other things that need to be attended to. A doc who does abdominal exams routinely would be a good start to rule out other diagnoses.
The breast bone pain, if it is specifically where the ribs join on, I’d say would be most likely as has been suggested, costochondritis.
I have also been experiencing severe breast bone pain and mid back pain where it's hard to take a breath. Pelvic girdle pain hard to walk and basically morbid stiffness from base of neck down shoulders ugh so aweful I'm tired of it.
It really doesn’t sound as if you are on enough Pred stacybila. It sounds like unchecked PMR to me.
Hello. I too have recently suffered with breast bone pain. My chiropractor asked if I had changed my bra size. As I had finally managed to lose a bit of weight which had reduced the size of my boobs, I went to get measured for a new bra. This did seem to be very tight and also had wires. So I reverted back to my old sloppy bra and hey presto, no breast pain. It might be worth getting measured, just in case yours is too tight and putting pressure on your breast bone. Hope this helps.
Bras are definitely a big issue. I can’t bear padding or wires. Oxfam recycle bras for Africa. They have had all my beautiful ones. I wear M&S lace bralettes- bliss and pretty - just enough support.
Thanks Susie.
Interesting question. The very last thing I saw my former GP about before he retired was what he diagnosed as a dislocated rib. It was definitely pain at the top of the breastbone, and I've had a lump there ever since. It came on when I was doing a yoga stretch so have always thought it was a mechanical injury. About a month later I broke my leg, and about two or three months after that began to develop the pains which fourteen months later were diagnosed as PMR. It's only recently that I've begun to wonder if there was a connection. Especially as this "dislocated rib" had bothered me off and on since 2014, but with my recent apparently much subdued PMR activity it's practically gone. Although I still don't do that yoga pose any more.
I have costochondritus for almost a year. I see it as an add on to PMR. It’s not painful at this point but there is still a discomfort there that I am aware of in bed at night. I also developed a groin strain two months ago and in the early days of that it felt like period pain
I have had it investigated. A couple of scans. Nothing found. Sometimes it’s hard to walk.
I agree. Costochondritis is likely. Have had PMR for 4 years and after 2 years as symptoms and Pred levels reduced so chest pains started as I started to do more. Dr sent me for heart check up and that was all eliminated so Costochondritis was diagnosed. Now I am slowly reducing to 3mg Pred and overall am much better, but as soon as I try to walk too fast, or do anything involving excess rib cage activity chest pain begins. My PMR Consultant said don't push it. Slow down, stop when it starts, don't exacerbate the pain. I have found this to be correct. The more I push it the longer the pain takes to subside. It is very frustrating, especially as I had hoped that gentle swimming would be a good exercise but breast-stroke is impossible. The pull on my ribs starts the pain straightaway, however well I felt before starting. So sorry, no solutions , only commiseration.
Thank you, xx
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