Hello,
Have PMR and now experience reduced symptons; after tapering off medication. As I enjoy cycling I have tried patches to relieve discomfort in my shoulders /arms (particullarly on right side) :
Cold patch - not much use; uncomfortable.
Heat patch - a liitle help to the circulation , especially when its cold out there on a bike. But you can't sleep with these patches on.
Was wondering if anyone has tried the Ibuprofen patch or the, rather improbable, "Osmotic" one ?
My experience of PMR is that the only successful pain relief comes from pred. If anything else works - it probably wasn't due to PMR and there are a few options there!
When I first started with pmr @ 18mths prior to dx I tried every sort of pain pads, hot, cold, ibuprofen (on my right bicep especially)..... Nothing worked and I was on prescription strength painkillers and double dose ibuprofen some days. Took pred.. With a day or two all the pain went. I can see it would/might help micro tears in shoulders and upper arms that cycling can cause. A healthy person might have a bit of soreness with that and they would help a touch of osteoarthritis too.
Interesting to hear people's experience from these things , especially during exercise which is a time when we often feel pain relief of all types is necessary to improve our enjoyment and ability to take part.
The patches , I assume , don't bring PMR inflammation relief but not all the Pain we experience with PMR and Steroid Use is from PMR , but other nerve , ligament and muscular pains happen too . This is when Paracetamol , Hot or Cold patches , Joint Creams and Magnesium etc. etc, really come into their own . Reducing other Pain can make managing PMR easier as well.
If you keep testing it and other things do update us on what worked for you ( and what didn't!) on the long term , as it's all info that can help us all with our Self Care for Life , not just for PMR!
Good luck with the cycling and pace yourself
I have Lidocaine patches for my lumbar spine. This helps with the nerve pain but not PMR.
The only thing that helps the PMR is Prednisolone.
I haven't been able to cycle for 3 years now and I miss it. I have a little exercise bike indoors but even this I find difficult as too much makes everything flare. Not managed more that 5 minutes yet. I do have other joint problems too so its not just PMR stopping me. Hope you find something that helps you but take it steady x
I had assumed that, as the PMR inflammation involves the Bursa in the shoulder joint,, then patches of some sort might help.
Ibuprofen tablets, taken for severe toothache reduced my PMR symptons, such as they are, for a day or so. So I guess I'll try an Ibuprofen patch next. - though dubious about taking Ibuprofen on a regular basis,
I take the point about pacing oneself when cycling., but would say that the limb motion involved produces little discomfort . If your arms/shoulders can cope then cycling is an excercidse worth considering.
Thanks for the informative replies.
I would have thought it depended on the person. Trochanteric bursitis is a not uncommon problem in cyclists.
Biological next step
Help for jelly legs?
Confusion over diagnosis
Does the paper-like skin, presumably a side effect of prednisone, return to normal after weaning from the prednisone?
cold showers
