PMR is pushing me to the brink of craziness...

[Linny3]

About 8 months ago I had to go to the emergency room because of pain I had in my side, around the rib cage. I thought I fractured a rib. Nothing happened to me, I just woke up one day with this horrible pain. Went thru an exam and X-ray and dr. couldn't find anything. Put me on a high amount of prednisone and in about 3 days the pain pretty much cleared out. However, it sure messed up my slow taper!

Now 8 months or so later the pain is back again, Really, really bad. Hard to get out of a chair or move around. I was thinking of going to the emergency and remembered it didn't do much good last time. I was thinking, could it be some kind of tendon or ligament problem. I couldn't make up my mind what to do, So I decided to up the pred. on my own and after 2 days the pain is bearable.

This is driving me crazy. I never know where the pain is going to hit on any given day and how bad it will be. How am I suppose to plan any kind of life with this going on.

Thanks for listening to this rant.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

A short upping of the dose - up to 7-10 days shouldn't make any difference to the taper.

Did you get a diagnosis? Does costochondritis fit?

[Linny3 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes the first time they suggested it may be that or pmr. It was on the left and higher in the rib cage. This time it is on the right on a little further down. Painful to touch.

It did mess me up and I had to stay at 15 for a few weeks and start the reducing all over.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Linny3]

That's a shame it took so long

[Hidden]

I had rib pain for about 3 months way on. Eventually it went but I sympathise...it is very painful and it feels so tender to the touch. I presume you have tried OTC painkillers too? Not that my prescription ones made much difference.

[Mrs-CJ]

You could consider seeing a chiropractor. When I get to the point where I’m having quite a bit of back pain I go see my chiro and she always fixes me.

Prednisone can cause muscle and tendon weakness, so it makes sense that our backs would be affected by this.

My chiro usually gives me exercises to do to help the injury area. I had two episodes of piriformis pain and when I finally started doing the exercises routinely the piriformis pain has not returned.

Just an idea.....

[Linny3 in reply to Mrs-CJ]

Thanks for the reply. I use to go to the chiro. all the time.I was alway going out of alignment and they fixed me up immediately. When I slipped a disc and was diagnosed with osteoporosis, I couldn't find a chiro who would take me. They all said it was too dangerous. Bummer

I am considering physical therapy (once again)

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Linny3]

What about looking for a Bowen therapist and seeing if that helps you? It works on soft tissue only to reduce the strains that cause the out of alignment effect and shouldn't be painful/rough so is suitable for a patient with low bone density. I can understand a lot of chiropractic procedures being a bit problematic though.

[Linny3 in reply to PMRpro]

I Have tried to find a bowen therapist. There just aren't any in my area. My Reiki

therapist tried also without any luck. Bummer

[ralinn in reply to Mrs-CJ]

Please elaborate on the piriformis exercises thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ralinn]

spine-health.com/conditions...

Google is a wonderful resource!!

[Mrs-CJ in reply to ralinn]

There are lots of ideas on the internet. 3 that my chiro recommended are

Lay on back, knees bent. Put right ankle on left knee. Then u can either press outward on right knee, or grab behind left knee and raise the left leg. Repeat other side.

The pose called bird dog. I have been gradually increasing the time I hold this pose.

If I feel my back tightening up: Sit down on a chair, cross right ankle over left knee, keeping back straight and head in alignment with back, slowly bend forward. It’s a subtle move....u don’t need to go very far to feel the stretch in your back. Repeat other side.

There is a stretch from the internet, on several sites, that works well for me. Lay flat on back, arms out to sides, legs flat on floor. Bend right leg, place foot on left leg, use left hand to gently pull right knee to the left....so your are doing a twist. Make sure your right shoulder stays on the ground.....other wise you are turning too far. Repeat other side.

I suggest u check out the internet and then try some of them to see what works for you.

[Waterfeature]

Hi, I have Polymyalgia and was in agony until I was prescribed prednisone. It’s like a magic pill, within 48 hours I was functioning as normal. I was prescribed 15mg, after 6 months gradually reduced to 5mg, I feel good, fingers crossed. I can only think that your dose is not high enough, it’s all trial and error. Good luck.

[makic]

Hi I also have pain in my rib,mostly under my breast bone but also in lower ribs. It is painful getting up and moving in bed. My GP says it is probably muscle strain and told me to talk to my rheumy who I see in 2 weeks. Upping your pred may help I am only on 3mg as I am waiting for a hip replacement and my surgeon wants me on a low dose. I also had an injection in my shoulder(for Rotator cuff disease & tendonytis) this was amazing, no longer did I have no shoulder pain I had no pain anywhere. Unfortunately I am back to pain and the rib pain is the worse. I would definitely increase my pred if I could. Try not to do too much bending or anything where you use your chest muscles. Good Luck

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to makic]

There really is no need to make patients go that low for hip surgery - apart from any other consideration you need to be able to mobilise post surgery and you will struggle if the PMR has flared.

[makic in reply to PMRpro]

I totally agree, even my GP says there is no reason to get off steriods. Other surgeons at the hospital do it while patients are on pred. but I cannot change my surgeon . The waiting list is 1 year anyway