Currently on 4mg of methylprednisolone. It's been 2 years since diagnosis. Shoulders crunch, collarbone cracks and extremely weak. Normal?

[Kenneth77]

What's going on. this is extremely frightening?

[Hidden]

Hi kenneth, I don't know much about methlpred. But stiff weak shoulders remind me of PMR. There is evidence that pred can cause loose ligaments etc but I don't know the Side​ effects of your version. We are all getting older while this pmr journey goes on and it could also be part of the ageing process. I have osteoarthritis in my spine from head to end and the crepitus can sound scary but is more often nothing rather than something according to the various sources that I have panic read when my neck and shoulders pop and grind. If it were me I would try a quick blast of higher dose for a couple of days and see what happened. I have found that fine on pred but again lack knowledge of the day to day issues with MP. Perhaps you could contact you Dr to have it investigated if it worries you to the point of stress. As you know stress is not good for PMR.

[Blearyeyed]

It is disturbing to have those symptoms and it can be painful but there are alot of factors involved that need checking by a GP .

An examination is required to be sure if it is part of PMR flaring , or , whether you might be getting symptoms caused by muscle and ligament changes that can happen from other underlying medical conditions, taking steroids , and muscle strength and loss of activity while suffering from PMR.

Are you suffering from the same pain in the same areas as you were when diagnosed with PMR , and would increasing your steroids change that pain?

Did you have good muscle tone and strength before PMR ?

Did you sometimes get these symptoms over the years before PMR but not as regularly?

Have you been unable to keep up regular physical activity or exercise , and for how long?

Did you have any other muscle , joint , nerve or connective tissue problems before PMR?

All these questions are worth writing an answer to in a notebook and discussing with your GP.

It might be PMR , or , be things like laxity in your ligaments and loss of muscle strength caused by having the effects of long term PMR and steroid use.

It's best to have it examined and find out what is the right cause and treatment.

They may need to prescribe other pain relief or supplements if the cause is non PMR , or , you may need to make adjustments in your diet and supplements , and , get help with appropriate exercises , either at home or with physio , to improve your joint and muscle strength to improve the clicks and crunches.

Hope you get some help soon.

[SheffieldJane]

The only thing I would add to Poopadoop’s comprehensive advice is perhaps have your Adrenals checked with a Synacthen Test. It was the weakness that made me think of it and your low dose. My neck crackles, it’s cervical spondylosis.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

My knee cracks - it's just wear and tear on the soft tissue mainly.

[SnazzyD]

My ligaments became creaky and muscles became weak in less than a year of high dose Pred. I pulled muscles at the drop of a hat which has reduced with dose. I’m sure it’s not age. Now I’m down to 2mg I now have tendonitis below my elbows and in my Achilles. Weakness improved with dose until I hit the adrenal wall at which point is felt I was back to high doses again. This has improved with my adrenal function coming back a bit.