Severe osteoporosis arthritis in neck

[Kaaswinkel72]

I have pmr for two years now on 1 mg. Prednisone, from February. 2019.

Have had some neck pain but this got a whole lot worse with my first short and gentle bout of aqua jogging. Asked for Xray : severe OA with spurs mid and lower Cervical spine. Quite severe pain, needing to take NSAID s to ease the pain.Question: anybody else got this and how long did it take to settle??? I don t need advise re exercises, I M a physio and the pain is too severe for that anyway. Thanks for sharing your story. Alida.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

I don’t have neck pain, but I do have arthritis in lower spine, and many other places! Already had 2 joint replacements with another looming in the distance.

Arthritis doesn’t improve, and as for “settling” - not sure it does that either. It’s a matter of managing the pain as best you and your doctors can.

This is a good site for info re arthritis -

versusarthritis.org

And this post may also help. - healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Blearyeyed in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes that is a great site better than the more well known ones in my opinion when it comes to more up to date ideas on pain management , diet and exercise.

[Kaaswinkel72 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you. Alida

[Croft9232]

I have PMR only 6 weeks since diagnosed.However I do have DDD ( degenerative disc disease ) in all my 7 cervical discs and have had for 20+ years I am 65.I found from only being able to swim breaststroke that it was the worst exercise possible for cervical problems, this was told to me by numerous chartered Physiotherapists.,as I always had pain after swimming.

I cannot believe since starting pred (15mg) now 12.5mg how my cervical aches and pains and acute stiffness have gone.Its the first time in years I have been pain free around my shoulders and neck.

I just wish I could find an answer for my chronic sciatica which gives me burning leg and buttock pain, it is eased though with Pregablin.

Being in this wonderful community of people far wiser than me has given me the confidence to ask more questions re my symptoms and question on occasion what they the experts say!

Best wishes Margaret.

[Kaaswinkel72 in reply to Croft9232]

Thank you. Alida

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Croft9232]

I found on high doses of Pred all my arthritis pains disappeared, but of course they do return as you get lower. And inevitably the arthritis has probably worsened during that period without you realising it.

[Hidden]

For me the pain from degeneration of spine is episodic and improvement is dependent on where the pain is from. If your nerve is under pressure I find 6 to 8 weeks or not at all. I have had pretty permenant sciatica from degeneration in lower spine but have always had 6 to 8 week burst in thoracic region. Amitriptyline may help as well as OTC painkillers, but care with nsaids.

[Kaaswinkel72]

Thank you. Yes, that is what I expect. The pain is nerve pain at present, and I also expect six to eight weeks for the acute pain to settle. Re NSAID careful because of side effects to the GI tract? Alida

[Hidden in reply to Kaaswinkel72]

Yes. On top of pred its usually contraindicated.

[Hidden in reply to Kaaswinkel72]

Basically it's hoping the gunk as I call it is processed by the body and is "displaced" and stops squeezing the nerve (I like simple explanations).

As you know Dr reluctant to do anything g much about acute nerve pain and can't seem to do much for chronic pain.

[Kaaswinkel72]

ThNks again. Only 1 mg pred now and as little paracetamol and neurofen as I can manage. The time frame was my worry but you confirmed what I expected. It will pass, I know. I keep walking and smiling😉🌞

[Hildalew]

Have you had a bone scan since the PMR was diagnosed? Were you advised to take/given a prescription for Calcium/Vit D3 supplements when you were prescribed Prednisolone?

[Kaaswinkel72 in reply to Hildalew]

Thank you, yes bone scan showed osteoporosis, had acclasta infusion and take vit D. I don t want Calcium supplements, the calcium gathers everywhere else, apart from your bones. I eat my yoghurt, thanks. Alida

[Hidden in reply to Kaaswinkel72]

You may not be interested but vitk2 is supposed to help calcium (supplement) stay where you want it....in the bones, rather than CVS.

healthline.com/nutrition/vi...

[Kaaswinkel72]

Thanks