Do I need to increase my pred

[Buenavista]

Hi guys,

Can you help? As you know we live in Spain. We came over to England on March 4th for a funeral. And because of Spain's lock down system and EasyJet continued cancellations of our flights, we have been in the UK for over 3 month's and by our next flight date, it'll be 4 months. Problem is, I, like PMRpro, had to stay on 5mg of pred, as per the rheumy's instructions. So I walk between 15,000 and 20,000 steps per day, this is the same as if I was in Spain. But the main difference is we carry a heavy shopping bag between myself and my wife, as we don't have a car.

At night, I wake up in pain about every 30/45 mins and each time I wake, I have to change my position until the pain comes back and wakes me, so it starts again. Both hips, 1 elbow and both knees ache. Should I go up on the pred or do you think it's carrying heavy bags? (If I up the pred, by how much?)

I also have an unusual problem, which is also causing pain, almost like self harming. When I'm half awake, I stretch out very vigorously, which has torn a cartilage in my right knee, badly pulled my calf mussel and groin. Has anyone else had this problem?

Best regards, Buenavista

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I think a few people have the pulled muscle problem after a long time on pred!!

I suspect the carrying a heavy bag is the source of your pain - would be for me. No chance of finding a wheely shopping trolley?

[Buenavista in reply to PMRpro]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I just spoke to my brother, he has the same stretching problem as me, but he has never taken pred.

Also, we have been carrying the bags back to where we are staying for 3 months, with no side effects. I am very fit and was doing heavy building work before we came. It is only in the last week the aching problem has happened.

Personally I think it could be a flare. Even going upstairs is an effort.

Regards, Buenavista

P.S. We gave up the hire car because at £140 a week it was a lot of money, especially because we couldn't go anywhere.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Buenavista]

Ah - now that is different!!! Yes - flare is definitely an option - not to mention the rubbish weather!

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

Are you still having rainy humid weather? It's getting better here - except the humidity!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

Has rained every day for over a week, the entire normal June rain in the first 9 days! Sun tomorrow they say!!!

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

😎 - enjoy, if it comes!

[SnazzyD]

Have you tried a shopping trolley?

Is the stretching out involuntary or intentional?

[Buenavista in reply to SnazzyD]

The stretching is totally involuntary, because I'm still half asleep.

[SnazzyD in reply to Buenavista]

It’s a bit of a long shot here and I say this only because of the force being enough to tear tissues. Jerks of the body are common in people when half asleep. However, I personally know two people who had this to an extreme and it was actually nocturnal epilepsy. One tore muscles and ligaments and one day woke up with a mystery broken back having done it in their sleep and not known. Finally a doc thought to do an EEG for brain activity and discovered she had this.

[Constance13 in reply to SnazzyD]

Wow! The things that can happen in your sleep! Frightening!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Agree with PMRpro - heavy shopping bag. Either get more bags and spread the load, or better still or buy a cheap trolley!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

Or a back pack ...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

.....wouldn't do for my shoulders!

[Constance13 in reply to DorsetLady]

Nor mine! Shopping rollator for me -when I am allowed to go shopping that is!

[piglette in reply to DorsetLady]

Or try and get a delivery slot from a supermarket. Although that may be wishful thinking.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to piglette]

I think it probably is, if you're not already in the system.

[Buenavista]

SnazzyD

That's real interesting, when we get back to Spain, we will show the doctor this. It's the first time anyone has got close to it. My brother and I have done ourselves so much damage. Luckily only below the waste so far. A back pack is not big enough and a trolley, well maybe in another 20 years 😄

As I said, due to my body telling me it's probably a flare, I can work normally work 10 hours hard labour a day, but at the moment I'm so cream crackered. So what would I go upto on pred?

Many thanks for all your help guys

Regards, Buenavista

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Buenavista]

Choosing to use a trolley is nothing to do with age! Carrying heavy shopping bags is likely to cause damage by putting strain on your back muscles at any age!

[Buenavista in reply to PMRpro]

I'll see how I am in the morning. If I'm not any better, what do you suggest I go up to. I'm on 5mg at the moment, would an increase of 2.5mg make a difference.

And a big thank you to you all for your replies.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Buenavista]

The usual recommendation for a flare is add 5mg to the dose you are at. You can stay there for up to about 7-10 days and still drop straight back to the old dose. You should know quite quickly if that is working though.

[GlynisE in reply to Buenavista]

I went down to 5mg and all the pains returned went back up to 6.25 and am a lot better.

[diana1998 in reply to Buenavista]

Swallow your pride and use a trolley! I was 24 when we lived in Brazil and every person regardless of age used a trolley on the fresh veg market days including me. Very sensible idea. To carry a bag would have been out of place!!

[Buenavista]

Thank you very much, I'll how I am in the morning and go from there.

[diana1998]

Where do you live in Spain? I lived in Madrid for 6 years 😁👍

[Buenavista in reply to diana1998]

Hi, we've lived in a small town called Rute for the past 16 years. Our house is in the mountains above lake Iznajar 😎😃

[Suffererc]

Don’t know if the same but lately my legs involuntary stretching until it hurts

[Buenavista]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the information and advice about increasing my pred after a flare. I went up from 5mg to 10mg for 8 days and then back down to 5mg. My body is back to normal 😊

And we have good news, after coming to England for a funeral on 4th March, 4 months later, we are finally going home to Spain this Saturday, fingers crossed.

Best regards,

Buenavista

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Buenavista]

Travel safe!! You must be longing to get home

[Constance13 in reply to Buenavista]

Great!👍🍀🍀😎