Why the flare up?: Was feeling fairly good... - PMRGCAuk

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Why the flare up?

Ernman54 profile image
20 Replies

Was feeling fairly good, currently on 10mg Methylprednisolone. I split my dose, 8 in am and 2 in pm. After a 4 1/2 hr car trip, stopping 4x to walk around and stretch arrived at destination. Woke to what I would call severe pain in wrists and shoulders.

Anyone think there is any correlation to the ride and the flare up??

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Ernman54 profile image
Ernman54
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20 Replies
DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

Short answer - yes!

Although you stopped regularly, sitting in a car is not always the comfiest place. Plus it’s a change from your normal routine presumably, sometimes it doesn’t take much for your body to react next day.

Rest up for a couple of days if you can, and you’ll probably be okay - but do bear it in mind if you have to do the trip again.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

Travelling can be pretty stressful and you are not usually sitting particularly comfortably! I never find stopping to walk and stretch makes much difference. I also find being the driver is by far the best way of modifying the discomfort.

Ernman54 profile image
Ernman54 in reply to PMRpro

Interesting.... I was the driver. I would have thought being the passenger would have been the better option. Thank you!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Ernman54

I have a lumbar support in the driver's seat and it is a manual - always a small amount of movement while changing gear!

Ernman54 profile image
Ernman54 in reply to PMRpro

I’ll give it a shot.

SnazzyD profile image
SnazzyD

I’d be a bit suspicious of having held your wrists in a fixed position working harder than you’d think. I found driving rubbish for the shoulders beyond a couple of hours. Since Pred I’ve not even tried driving that long.

I find travelling in the car very tiring, l take my shoes off & put my bag in the back so l have lots of room, we stop off for plenty of rest breaks but I’m still exhausted when we arrive!.....

Cyclegirl54 profile image
Cyclegirl54 in reply to

I find this too! Try to avoid being in a car for too long now!

SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane

Were you driving? Repetitive movements can cause great pain the next day.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to SheffieldJane

Or holding a sustained position ...

Ernman54 profile image
Ernman54 in reply to SheffieldJane

I was driving on the interstate. Very monotonous ride, mostly very straight. Cruising @75mph.

I have been both passenger and driver. As a passenger I can never get comfy and every corner throws me around. Getting out at the end of the journey...the return of Frankenstein. Driving is slightly easier as you don't feel that swaying. But holding steering wheel and the stress of motorway driving,in particular, leaves my shoulders up by my ears. I have an automatic car with cruise control and a power steering ball that all help but the best thing is holding the wheel at 10 and 2. Gently grip and then drop elbows so they are loose enough to swing side to side. Then drop shoulders. I do this several times. Journey and have come to accept that my whole body will be useless and painful until the middle of the next day. I go to bed by 8pm on a travel day and have been known to text my sister to come upstairs and turn me over. 🚗💪

Lanakay profile image
Lanakay

We went to see my grandson and his wife in Memphis, TN last summer. A couple of years ago I even bought a new Dodge Durango because it has very comfortable and roomy seats. I still got a flare. Even traveling across Nebraska to see my sister sets off a flare. Maybe I set it off myself by being kind if a nervous Nellie. I really have that tendency since PMR.

in reply to Lanakay

Our very good friends live 90miles away, we moved & increased the distance, so they’re not too thrilled about that!

But l just cannot face the journey up the M6 it’s takes forever by train so lm thinking we’ll have to meet half way & have a stop over!

Jackoh profile image
Jackoh

I find travelling exhausting and last week travelled for the day for our grandson’s second birthday. Couldn’t stay for opening of the parcels after all the guests had gone - I was pooped and as for the pizza we were all going out for after - had to give that a miss too which I did find disappointing ( the day after not at the time as I’d had enough) After we then set to for the 4 hour drive home. I wasn’t driving I was just the passenger - I can’t imagine what it would have been like driving for that amount of time that you did.

Lanakay profile image
Lanakay

I seem to be better at “spur of the moment” things these days. When I plan ahead then I worry about “what if” I don’t feel well that day or what if I get there and want to leave early and can’t. Stuff like that. I never used to be that way.

polsk profile image
polsk in reply to Lanakay

That is how I am now!!!! :( Can't make plans - make me really panicky!! xxx

Lanakay profile image
Lanakay in reply to polsk

I think this must go along with the PMR, prednisone thing. I hope I won’t always be like this.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to polsk

I never did like "making plans" - OH is a pain for wanting to have it all mapped out. I decide I am going to do x on day y and prepare in the days before by resting. Then I just do it. But I do insist on doing no journey totally at the last minute or having a specific deadline to make. I limit a day's driving to 6 hours or so - less if it is going to be busy with traffic to allow for jams - and if the journey is longer, stay somewhere on the way. It's like a weekend away then and the small extra cost is worth it. OH wouldn't listen once when we were driving back through France - it wouldn't have been so bad but he kept moaning I needed to drive faster and sulked because I wanted something to eat!!!! Nearly abandoned him at a motorway services in France!

Purplecrow profile image
Purplecrow

Here's another thought... after a lengthy drive, sleeping in a new/different bed always screws up my shoulders and back.

Thus a double whammy, driving and weird bed equals pain for a day (or more) afterward.

My experience just the past weekend!☹️

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