2 steps forward 3 steps back

[squashie]

Thanks to the very helpful posts on this site (and a great GP) I now have a much better understanding of pmr, pred, tapering and the like. Knowledge I would have gladly forsaken had the need not arisen. Have had a couple of blips on the way down but currently comfortable on 10mg and planning the next reduction. Just had bloods etc done for my next visit to renal specialist, and all have come back fine including pmr related tests. Small steps but progress

Still able to exercise and play squash and all was well (so to speak) until a strange pain developed just under my right ribs - worse early morning, eased off during the day, and disappeared while very active. Put it down to an odd pmr symptom and went back to 12.5mg for a few days - with no result. Also felt some small lumps on my back which I put down to pred side effects. Finally saw the GP this morning to discover that my suppressed immune system had let through a mild dose of shingles - the "lumps" had turned into the classic blisters - ouch! As I'd had the shingles vaccine last year it hadn't occurred to me, and doc says I'm the first of his vaccinated patients to get the condition.

As I've learnt from this site two steps forward ....

[Hindags]

Sorry to hear about the shingles. Glad you got a diagnosis and that it is something definitive that will get better.

[Hidden]

Ohhhhh noooooo, like you didn't have enough with the PMR!!! Sorry to hear this.

One step forward, two steps back, my motto as well!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Strange - the older shingles vaccine can actually trigger shingles so i'm surprised he'd not come across it!

Get well soon!

[piglette]

I wonder if the pain under your right ribs was Costochondritis. I had it and it was agony to just breath initially. It just slowly got better. Several people with PMR have mentioned getting it. I am not sure if the cause is known.