Back pain

[alvertta]

I have GCA. Diagnosed in October 2019. Stared at 60 prednisone. Now on 22. My SED and CRP are good. But every time. I do Minor activity I have back aches. Anyone else have that? Recommended actions? I am swimming a lot without pain.

[SnazzyD]

Hello. Sounds like you’re progressing down the ladder nicely. Still symptom free I hope! I see you’ve had back ache before. What sort of pain and where exactly? Did you ever get it looked at? Do particular activities and circumstances aggravate it? I found that in the 20’s somewhere my muscles became very depleted and ridiculously susceptible to injury and strain and if there is any weight gain, it won’t help. I was punished for any bad posture or strain especially in the neck and shoulder area. Pred does do this but back ache symptoms can have many causes.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Not all is GCA - sounds like it might be myofascial pain syndrome or piriformis syndrome. Both may improve at higher doses of pred but not necessarily and often reappear as you reduce. But there are other things - as I know to my cost.

[Mary63]

See a good physio, chiropractor or osteopath? For treatments, maybe dry needling, manipulation, and advice on helpful exercises.

[Blearyeyed]

It sounds like you are doing really well and the swimming is going to be helping you keep your muscles strong.

The back ache may well be because your activities have changed which mean that the back isn't getting as much activity or stretching as before. The muscles may be tightening or you may have some nerve pain. Back pain and things like Sciatica can be a side effect of Chronic Conditions like PMR rather than part of it .

If you have ruled out other issues like arthritis of any form this is often the case.

Adding some gentle, slow stretches and rotations of your back each day can help , especially for the lower back. Like those in Tai Chi , fluid and not forced.

You can do these in the pool too and that will add resistance to the movements and give you a warm up before you swim , helping prevent muscle pain.

Rotating a warm shower head at the aching spots or after exercise helps reduce pain , and also stiffness after exercise .

If your back aches alot try a dose of paracetamol , if it helps then you know it is not PMR pain but general or associated pain , you can take this when you need to to alleviate the back issue so that it doesn't give you discomfort or trigger more PMR inflammation.

Lying on your stomach on the bed before going to sleep with your head on your arms on a pillow , and your feet on some pillows or towels for 5-10 mins helps to gently extend the back .

When you move from position do it slowly by putting your arms down , rolling on your side then pulling your knees up to a foetal position before rolling into your back , stretching out your legs and then sitting up.

Stretch like a cat in the morning before getting up , slow , fluid , you can purr if you want!

Using a menthol rub and a heat pad also help ease this pain.

Hope this helps you continue such great work , pat on the back you !!😋🌟😘

[alvertta in reply to Blearyeyed]

Fabulous advice. Thank you.