l have had GCA for a year and a half now and started having PMR pains a while ago. Just recently l have been having groin pains as well as hip and buttock pains. Is this all included in the PMR situation? I have been on and off 25 mgs of pred for a few months now and desperately trying to get down to 20mgs. Once l get to 22mgs the the pains start again and this time a lot of groin pain . I thought it was a urinary track problem but the pain goes into my thigh and leg after a while.
Does anyone else get this problem. Thank you for all the help you have given me while on this site. I really appreciate your advice.
Written by
Ryliefew123dogcat
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
My suspicion would be piriformis syndrome - that would account for the hip and buttock pain which is typical. The sciatic nerve passes through the piriformis muscle in some people and that can lead to sciatic problems - the thigh and leg pain. The groin pain can be typical of trochanteric bursitis - spreading to the iliopsoas bursa.
All of those can be found alongside PMR and often higher doses of pred improve the symptoms but then they return as the dose falls. More targeted treatment can mean that the PMR can be managed on a lower dose of oral pred.
Thank you for your quick reply. Can you explain what piriformis syndrome is and how do l handle this. Will it go away in time or should I be on a higher dose of prednisone for a while?
I find manual myofascial release techniques very helpful - more oral pred helps while you are taking it but is not really a long term solution. I used to find Bowen therapy helped me with the tight, spasmed piriformis muscle too - but it has to be a good Bowen therapist. The ones here are are too airy-fairy The local hospital physio department here has also been a great resource for therapeutic massage.
In my experience with various friends & husband experiencing groin pain & hip pain, etc It has been a definite sign of hip osteoarthritis . X-ray needed to clarify, Hope you get an answer.
I had the same thing, was on Pred for several years and finally got off of it but the pain in groin continued. I ended up having arthritis and this past July I had a hip replacement. Terrible back pain, bursitis in the hip and knee and foot pain. Fought the idea of surgery for a couple of years but couldn't take the pain anymore. Very happy I had it done and just now have to get stronger.
Yes all the above ! it seemed to travel to both hips and legs ! The pain is awful runs really deep! It started in my bottom then spread ! It was really hard to walk . I then became ill with my PMR and had ti increase to a higher dose. The inflammation was really bad at the time, But as it went down so did the pain , legs are ok atm . Hope this helps . Best wishes VIV.
Hi Viv, so good of you to reply. I have also gone back to 25mgs and will stay there for a while. Really disappointing as l so much want to taper down. All the best to you as well, Jill.
I had this problem prior to my diagnosis but when i clearly had PMR. My shoulders and girdle, the classic symptoms of PMR, where also really sore.
It was my adductor and i had the discomfort for 4 to 6 weeks and then it pinged getting onto a static bike which relived much of the3 discomfort. Diagnosis shortly after and Prednisolone alleviated/ removed any further pain.
I see similar pains in groin and buttocks... really struggle getting up or sitting in car for any length of time...on a taper prednisolone Plan at present where at 15mg the high levels of pain reduced and allowed me to be much more mobile. The issue now is that fatigue and muscle ache kicks in after trying to do more so trying to manage that. Am down to 10mg but starting to feel more aches and stiffness kicking in (high pain levels still not returned). Waiting to hear from rhum consultant whether I need to go back up or continue tapering
If you are getting increasing problems you certainly don't need to reduce any further! But it possibly didn't help that you didn't start high enough or stay long enough at the inital dose.
thank you all for your very helpful replies. It is good to know l am not alone.l am going to speak to my doctor as soon as l can get an interview and see what she says about piriformis syndrome. I seem to be getting a little relief from Tylenol so maybe it is more sciatica than polymyalgia.
Hi... following your comments I booked a call with Rheumatologist today. Said that starting at 15mg.. down to 12.5 after a month .. now 10 my aches and stiffness are starting to return. I said that at 15 I felt ok but not as great as I did at 20mg and asked to start taper programme again from20mg and a taper of 1mg a month as felt it was too quick. He has agreed so start again from tomorrow and hopefully see some better longer term results!
Thanks again to all you lovely people for making me feel better. Still waiting for my doctor to get back to me..... like pulling teeth. I have sent away for a small exercise bike that l can use while sitting down, maybe that will help. Stay save everyone. Jill.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
The local hospital physio department here has also been a great resource for therapeutic massage.
Groin pain
Groin pain
Groin pain
Pain in right groin/knee/shin 
