Boring question about steroid doses again!

[grannyouch]

Hi, everyone!

I'm yet another asking about doses I'm afraid. I recently started to taper from 5mgs to 41/2. I had one 41/2 one week and then 2 the next week. Recently I THINK I pulled a muscle or aggravated a nerve as I've had pretty severe sharp pains over my bum and down the front of my left leg. Tonight I can feel that sharp biting pain by my left hip reminding me of the old PMR symptom. I truly don't know if I'm having a flare or it's just a nerve thing. I've never had that pain down the front of my leg to my ankle before with PMR. I've had PMR for about 31/2 years.

No matter how many times I've read your excellent posts on going up and reducing again I'm still a bit in the dark! I blame my muddled 68 year old brain.

Should I up my dose or wait and see if it is a flare?

[Hidden]

Hi, is it in your buttock? Does it get worse and burn? It could be piriformis syndrome which is a nice (not) PMR add on. The front of the leg didn't hurt with mine however. But worth exploring.

A burning sore thigh is my first sign of steroid withdrawal and a flare so it does get complicated. Have you take painkillers? If they help it could be that you have tweaked it. At the very least stop and rest with pain relief and see if it helps with s little RICE. Rest, ice, compression and elevation. If it doesn't help then start thinking flare and add pred. I usually do us 5mg fir a week then back to the dose I was last ok at.

Sorry I think my mind isn't helping!! Hope there's something in there. 😁

[grannyouch in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much for your good advice. I THINK it may have started in my lower back but I'm just not sure! I woke up one night in dreadful pain and then I though it had got better... but no!!!

I'll try your rest and pain killer plan and see how it goes. Thank you!

[Hidden in reply to grannyouch]

I think you should a day or two isn't going to be too bad but with the myofascual pain you have to be quite proactive. I have had it a couple of times and it hurts. I couldn't walk up hills. Google myofascial knots and try sn cheap.unless a family member can join I

[Hidden]

Wow you are lucky you have a muddled brain I am 69 and my brain has deserted me. Nerve pain down the front rather than the back of your leg is puzzling. Try to think stretching it. Picture the nerve is pinched and you need to stretch it out. Not sure it is flair as shoulders are not involved or are they... good luck. 🤗

[grannyouch in reply to Hidden]

Hi, Lin. Thinking about it, I'm not sure it's a flare either as in usually fine first thing in the morning which is the opposite from PMR symptoms. I often have that pinched shoulder thing but that's maybe when I do too much exercise! I've been doing quite a lot of yoga and Pilates in lockdown so I could have twisted something. Thanks for your kind words. Sometimes it's hard to know if pain is related to PMR or not!

Hope you're keeping well !

[Hidden in reply to grannyouch]

It has been over 4 yrs for me and I am hoping this is the last year. This afternoon it was like a button switched and I do feel better. I have never had a bought of diverticulitis even though they told me 5 yrs ago I had severe diverticulosis. I was hoping to be one of those who has it but never been bothered by it.

[Jackoh in reply to Hidden]

Good that you feel better Lin. When you start to feel a bit better it’s such a boost!

[Hidden in reply to grannyouch]

Ah. More info. You must have tweaked a muscle so RICE should help. Tears in the muscle are quite common with PMR (for me at me!). The muscles aren't as resilient because of the inflammation not allowing those muscles that do get tiny tears in to heal effectively.

[grannyouch in reply to Hidden]

That makes absolute sense - thanks so much. I just had a little panic thinking I might have to raise my dose! But yes- today I can feel it in my lower back now