Back pain

[JanieBaxter]

Hi - has anyone with pmr experienced upper back pain? Between ribs and shoulder blade? Worse in morning and when taking deep breaths?

[SheffieldJane]

Do painkillers help it? If so, it is unlikely to be PMR itself. Any other symptoms?

[JanieBaxter in reply to SheffieldJane]

No other symptoms and painkillers help a bit - currently on a taper programme and at 9mg - I'm not breathless at all ( got myself all worried about lung cancer 😩too much time to think about things 🙈) hopefully it improves soon just thought I'd see if anyone else had similar at all on their journey x

[Hidden in reply to JanieBaxter]

I could barely breathe in at its worst, it hurt too much. Like a broken rib.

[SheffieldJane in reply to JanieBaxter]

Yes join the club in catastrophising. Our muscles are weakened by steroid use, you may have pulled something - even doing the bins or something like that. My daughter has told me to empty my head of all thought, between thoughts for at least 5 minutes a day ( psychologist). She also told me that positivity is a Super Power. She further advised that I should cast myself as a witness in tense situations and remain aloof to them. Hmmm!

[Hidden]

I had it early on and it ran round to underneath my ribs at the front eventually. Dr said Costocondhritis and co codamol (on top of usual pain killers) helped. I think it was that and probably a bit if myofascial pain too.

nhs.uk/conditions/costochon...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

No pain around the sternum (breastbone) area? Costochondritis can cause pain in the corresponding area in the back too. But it does usually last all day.

[Cyclo5 in reply to PMRpro]

Interesting mention there, though costochodritis is unrelated to PMR. Recently discussed this with a rheumatologist.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Cyclo5]

No-one said it was related - but it happens a lot ...

[Pixix]

I have, yes! Between the shoulder blades, upper back, was one of my first symptoms, & worse early morning, also bad when breathing...generally deeper the breath the harder! At first I thought I had something wrong with my lungs. I get it when I’m very tired still, or had nights in a row without much sleep, & when my recent flare occurred (due to reduction of steroids...too fast) it was back again. At my diagnosis in December (had other symptoms by then) my doctor said I had a ‘classic’ case of PMR. Hope this helps a bit, S x

[JanieBaxter in reply to Pixix]

Thank you so much for reply I find it is helpful to talk to people in same situation x

[Daffodilia]

Pain mostly at top of spine and in shoulders for me

[Cycleman]

Well I wouldn’t call it pain rather increased stiffness. But it seems to affect the muscles in the girdle around my upper back. Noticeable when I sneeze or take a deep breath. It only started to occur after about 3 years into my pmr, I am now in year 4 and on 2.5 mg prednisolone.

[Gaycreasey]

That is exactly where a flare starts for me. Right between the shoulder blades near the top. I know that if I don’t take notice and up my Pred a bit, it will become far worse until I can hardly hold my head up. Am down to 2.5 currently but there are still iffy days where my legs won’t work and my head feels like a lead weight. If I rest and don’t have any stress I can generally control the situation and the next day is better. It’s all very individual.

[Canarylady]

Hi there ladies,

I too have this in the mornings.

So pleased I m not on my own with this discomfort.

Hope your all keeping well.

[Cyclo5]

Yes all the time and as my PMR developed in Feb 19, by March my shoulder and upper back/scapula pain was horrible. I could not lift my arms above my shoulders. Pred has, as you can imagine, helped massively.

[Manchild]

Yes, and it was terrible. Diagnosed with intercostal rib pain early in my PMR journey. Eventually went away, but sometimes comes back a little when I reduce.

[GCAinCanada]

I had been treated for PMR for 2 years and down to 4mg prednisone. But 2019 started with constant dry cough, extreme pain upper back between the shoulder blades and extreme fatigue. Finally in October (after 9 months of cough) they did a MRI and CT scan and found Large Vessel Vasculitis/GCA. This was diagnosed in the chest (aortia and other arteries). Now under treatment for GCA and doing well. Please have them check out if your PMR has progressed to GCA. Good luck from Canada.

[JanieBaxter]

I dont have any cough at all but thank you so much I will keep an eye on it x

[Amkoffee]

Everyone is mentioning costochondritis but there is another condition that can happen in that area. You could have strained an intercostal muscle. This can be quite painful. The intercostal muscles hold the ribs together allowing the ribs to spread when you take a breath. There's no real treatment for it just time. Using ice and heat.