Early days but strange pains

[Yellowbluebell]

I only got the confirmation my doctor thinks I have pmr Tuesday and started Pred that day so only had 4 doses but my groin pain went almost immediately but now got new pains in back and stomach! Is this the Pred or just me coming down with some bug that just coincides with the start of the drugs? Deb

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It could be coincidence - but have you tried to go back to "normal life" now you are on pred? That doesn't work! You have to make lifestyle changes too - your muscles remain intolerant of acute exercise as the actual disorder is still active in the background. The pred is just managing the inflammation to allow you relatively better quality of life in the meantime until the autoimmune part of PMR burns out and goes into remission.

[Yellowbluebell in reply to PMRpro]

Not going back to regular activities. Being very lazy and husband is doing lots!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Yellowbluebell]

Blimey - where did you find him!!!!!

Are you on anything else besides the pred? Like omeprazole...

[Yellowbluebell in reply to PMRpro]

He’s very good but years ago as a fireman he had a major accident and broke his back and I had to give up work to care for him but now although he still has back probs he does do a lot for me.

I was already on amitriptyline for depression and tramadol for my shoulder after having 7 ops over a 14 year period and then a shoulder replacement 2 years ago which is when all the signs of pmr started but I ignored as bring due to shoulder pain and lack of sleep etc....

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Yellowbluebell]

Bless him - you are a lucky lady!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Yellowbluebell]

Bless him - you are a lucky lady!

[SheffieldJane in reply to Yellowbluebell]

Do you find that Amitriptylin helps your depression? I take 10 mgs an hour before bed and it helps me get comfortable enough to sleep. I thought that it wasn’t rated as an anti- depressant.

Sorry to deviate from the subject. I am interested in depression as it often lurks with me, but not as much as it used to.

[Yellowbluebell in reply to SheffieldJane]

I had tried numerous antidepressants and none had really worked so my gp suggested it and said it was an old type drug and very cheap and it was the best thing he’d given me!! It also works on my shoulder slightly so I definitely would recommend it to someone who is having problems finding an antidepressant that works. I am glad you find it useful as well

[Suet3942 in reply to Yellowbluebell]

I take it as well. Really helps. 😊

[Yellowbluebell in reply to Suet3942]

It’s good stuff and not only as an antidepressant but helps with muscle and joint pain. The best thing is doctors dont worry about prescribing because it’s so cheap for them

[piglette in reply to Yellowbluebell]

Amitryptilin is supposed to be the most prescribed drug. It certainly seems to help a lot of people.

[Longtimer in reply to SheffieldJane]

My sister with RA had recently got quite anxious, the doctor prescribed 10mg of Amitriptylin to take about an hour before bed...it really has helped her....and I can notice it too in her...…..

[Yellowbluebell in reply to Longtimer]

I am glad it’s helped your sister. It’s old but it does the job other newer ones dont

[Longtimer in reply to Yellowbluebell]

Thank you, yes I agree.....I know it is often prescribed for Fibromyalgia, which I think can help with the depression nerve pain, and sleep....

[Hidden in reply to SheffieldJane]

Hi Jane

Amitriptyline is an old antidepressant but one of its benefits is it helps with nerve & muscle pain but at 10mg it won’t have any affect on depression as the therapeutic dose for depression is 75mg-150mg taken at night because of it sedating effects.

It’s not generally used now as an AD as there are less sedating drugs available.

However, for nerve & muscle pain it really works well.

Hope you are doing OK? xx

[SheffieldJane in reply to Hidden]

It’s good to know when something works. I was glad to be prescribed Amoxicillin for my chest infection. Also less complex and I can feel it working in the good old fashioned way. Unless you have a Penicillin allergy of course. The newer antibiotics can feel quite sinister.

[Marilyn1959]

What is your starting dose Deb?

[Yellowbluebell in reply to Marilyn1959]

15mg and seeing doctor again on Wednesday. He did say it was just a starting dose and he would see how I was doing

[Marilyn1959 in reply to Yellowbluebell]

It may be you need a smidgen more or just longer for the pred to work through your system. The new stomach pain could be that the pred is aggravating your tummy. Are you taking it with food as suggested? If you take non coated pred GPs often prescribe Omeprazole to line the stomach. Doctor can prescribe gastro resistant (coated) pred if necessary. It costs more but my GP said the additional cost was offset by the cost of the Omeprazole that I didn't need with the gastro resistant pred.

[SnazzyD]

Hello, depending on where you mean by stomach and back, it might indicate gastric irritation possibly from Pred, bladder infection or irritation amongst other things. If it doesn’t wear off in a couple of days or gets worse it may be worth seeing a doc.

[SheffieldJane]

I think possibly the latter. My most disabling pain was in the groin area, all I can remember is the wonder of being able to get about again. Make sure you take the Pred with some yoghurt - it’s very harsh on the stomach.