Pain in shoulders blades and trapezius area , I was doing ok until the begging of the week thus started. Has anyone had this problem?

[Athena2020]

another problem which has increased is frequent washroom visits . My blood work does not show sugar spike regardless I do still have very frequent washroom visits .Does prednisone cause frequent urgent urination regardless? I am worried?

[SnazzyD]

Hello, here are a load of questions I’m afraid. Is the pain both sides? What activity have you been doing? Are you under a lot of stress? It may be strain as muscles are affected by Pred and PMR. However, what dose are you on? What did you start on and how long ago? It might be that your dose is too low for now.

Your bathroom visits you’ve brought up before. Did you try drinking more to dilute the urine as suggested in previous posts? This was to dilute the chemical effects of Pred and other drugs like calcium.

How often are you having to go and more importantly, when you do go is the amount a normal bladder-full or a disappointing tinkle? Does going relieve the sensation of needing to go? Has a sample been sent off to check for infection? There are other questions but I’ll stop there.

Causes of frequency are numerous and to name a few - irritated bladder (various reasons for that too), weak pelvic floor muscles, incomplete emptying each time, constipation, inadvertently ‘training’ our bladder to go more and more frequently, infection, high blood sugar. You said before that your fluid intake was mostly coffee, so it is quite possible that the combination of Pred, PMR and other pills together with the caffeine and coffee constituents is giving you bladder muscle irritability.

[Athena2020 in reply to SnazzyD]

Hi , yes pain is on both sides of shoulder and trapezius area. I have been on prednisone since July 24th of this year I started at 20 mg, and found I could not tolerate the side affects and the rheumatologist put me on 15 for one month and now on 12.5. Yes I have been under a lot of stress as well lately. As for urine frequency I feel ever since I started prednisone my washroom visits increased. I definitely will speak to my GP again very hard to get an appointment face to face as my Dr is virtual now only because of the Covid 19. Thanks so much for your reply .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Athena2020]

It does sound very much related to myofascial pain syndrome - that is what goes for my shoulders and neck. Targeted therapeutic massage is great for me - and keeping it under control once you have persuaded the spasmed muscles to relax.

[Athena2020 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes massage I find helps relax muscles .

difficult to relax when I am on the go a lot and doing a lot housework . Thank you for your reply

[Blossom20 in reply to PMRpro]

Sorry to jump in, but my ears pricked up when you said 'therapeutic massage for shoulder, neck pain'. I was wondering if it would be ok to have massage - is it ok with inflamed blood vessels? I've got tight, sore trapeziuus and neck muscles going right up into my skull at the back. Its better when I massage it myself so thought of going to an osteopath.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blossom20]

I use it - but remember, the therapist must be aware of PMR and myofascial pain syndrome. YOU have to remember that the massage will probably release the inflammatory substances into the circulation and you will probably feel worse for a few days, as if you are flaring with the PMR. The inflammatory substances in PMR and MPS are the same, just in PMR they are systemic, in MPS they form concentrations in the muscles as hardened knots of muscle fibres and make the muscle fascia sore. You will probably feel worse before you feel better - and that is why people think massage is bad and causes flares.

[Blossom20 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks..so there isn't a danger of tearing or damaging the blood vessels by massaging them when the they are inflamed?

Interesting what you say about the fascia and hardened knots containing toxins. It must be hard for the blood vessels and lymphatics to get rid of it if they aren't working well! Is that what causes the pain?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blossom20]

Not that I'm aware of - apart from maybe the odd bruise but that is just a bruise and most of us have plenty of those.

I suppose it may well be part of the problems - certainly after a massage or Bowen therapy it is a good idea to drink plenty of water and go for a gentle walk to let the system flush itself out. Whether it is scientific or not it seems to work.

[MrsNails]

Hi Athena

Shoulders often play a part in PMR that’s where mine started!

Have you been doing anything that may have triggered this? Such as gardening or sorting cupboards, it can arise after over use or unusual use of your arms.

Re your frequent trips to the loo, you could have a low grade water infection so you need your urine tested & as Snazzy says drink more water.

I had Amitriptyline prescribed each time l’ve had a shoulder issue & remain on them now, they work as a muscle relaxant while you sleep & many people find them of benefit.

I think you need a Face to Face Consultation with your GP but may have to have a telephone consultation first.

Good Luck 🍀

MrsN

[Athena2020 in reply to MrsNails]

Thank you so much for your advice

[MrsNails in reply to Athena2020]

No problem at all, l had a Kidney Issue last year & it still rumbles on but l have the Dip Sticks the GP’s use so l can always test & let them know, it’s been really useful during lockdown (as l was shielding) so l knew how things were if my pain flared up.

[Athena2020 in reply to MrsNails]

Actually the dip sticks sounds like a good idea . Where did you purchase them from ? If you don’t mind me asking what problem are you having with your kidney ?

[MrsNails in reply to Athena2020]

Good Old Amazon but your Pharmacy can sell them to you.

I get pain in my loin area, l’ve had many low grade infections & was on Antibiotics every month for a year, l had a Cystoscopy but all was OK but they wonder if l have a small stones that moves from time to time. The pain when it comes is almost unbearable but when it’s not there l’m fine. I’ve never had any need to rush to the loo or anything, no burning or temperature but often there would be signs of infection etc on Dipping & the Sample sent off would always come back Positive & l’d have antibiotics as per the recommendations.

I’m still under the Urology Team but only with Telephone Appointments, l have one next month & in due course l’m to have a further scan with contrast but who knows when that will be?.....

PS My Blood Test Kidney Levels & Filtration is normal again, l have them done regularly as l’m on Methotrexate.

[Athena2020 in reply to MrsNails]

Oh I see , small stones can be very painful . Take care and I hope everything goes well. Thank you for sharing the info it is very helpful to be in contact with people that have similar health issues .

Thank you

Take care

[SnazzyD in reply to Athena2020]

If you do use them, make sure the urine is always fresh and that the area is clean so the urine is not contaminated on its way past, particularly in ladies. Post menopausal irritation in that area can cause a false blood and pus cell reading for example . Hold the sticks sideways so the colours and reagents from the different squares don’t run into eachother. Read the instructions too.

[Athena2020 in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you so much for your advice

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I agree with what's already been said! To the letter ...

[Athena2020]

Oh I see , small stones can be very painful . Take care and I hope everything goes well. Thank you for sharing the info it is very helpful to be in contact with people that have similar health issues .

Thank you

Take care