?PMR ? Returning.

[ndstephens49]

Happy holidays.

I would like your opinion regarding my newly stiff neck. Stiff neck was starting yesterday but tolerable.

Today, it is primarily left sided and unable to move hardly at all due to severe pain.

Summer of 2018 I developed PMR which progressed to GCA. I’ve had been getting better slowly and have weaned down on prednisone from 60 mg to 7.5 mg over about 18 months. I’m still on 7.5 mg prednisone.

Yesterday I felt stiff neck coming on left side. Today I can’t move at all without severe pain.

Since this is only left sided so far, can the PMR be returning? PMR should affect both sides of neck, right?

Any comments or suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks a bunch!

[Blearyeyed]

Do you think the pain is like the GCA or PMR Pain you experienced before even though it is unilateral?

Have you been doing alot more in the last few days that might have caused you to strain your neck ?

Do you get any relief from taking the standard course of Paracetamol through the day ?

Does it feel better if you use a heat pad or ice pack?

Do you have any antiinflammatory joint cream or lotion?

If you haven't got relief from slowing down on the physical work and paracetamol , it may be wise to choose to increase your Pred dose , at least until you can get to see a GP.

You would also still need to rest , keep from carrying heavy things or a lot of physical activity.

And , you may still benefit from the Paracetamol if it is a Flare brought on my a Muscle or Nerve Strain.

Try going back to the previous dose before you last reduction , if that is not enough relief you could go up to as much as 10 mg for 5/7 days and then be able to go back down to the dose before your current one without having to slowly taper again.

It would still be worth seeing the GP as soon as you can even if you choose these steps.

Increase your fluid/ water intake too to help reduce any inflammation.

Most importantly , it may be Christmas but unfortunately our Condition doesn't take holidays , so , if this pain worsens , you get more GCA symptoms , blurred vision and intense head pain or dizziness , do go to Out of Hours of the Hospital.

It may not be GCA but could still be an infection or injury that could worsen without the right treatment.

It's better to be safe than sorry , take care x

[ndstephens49]

Thank you so much bleary-eyed, you are so wise. It does feel the PMR is probably acting up again. Neither Tylenol or aspirin have helped. And, the neck stiffness is so much worse this time. I called my doctor yesterday but had not heard from her. Then I realized I should check at my pharmacy to see if my doc called in a prescription. SHE DID!!! 5 days of 20 mg prednisone. I took 20 dmg at 3 pm. By 5:30pm I am definitely better.

I’ve already got ice bag. Definitely helps.

Have not been doing much more recently.

I will drink more fluids now that I can stand and walk easier. I couldn’t get off sofa except in emergency.

Thank you so much for your advice.

Nancy in West Virginia

[stellafmdm]

Not if it is atypical!