Pmr & backache

[Sleepysusie]

Hi, I was diagnosed with pmr in August this year. I was on 15mg prednisone but have on Docs advice taken it to 12.5mg. The last 2 weeks I have suffered badly with lower back pain, I am now having trouble walking even a short distance. I contacted my Doctor who, because I have had back problems before, wasn't sure if they were connected and prescribed Co Codimel. It's not really helping and I wondered if anyone else had this sort of problem.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I had low back pain that stopped me walking or standing for more than 10-15 minutes. It is due to something called myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) which leads to spasmed back muscles and is more common alongside PMR - research has found it is caused by the same inflammatory substances as PMR but in PMR they are systemic while in MPS they are located in certain areas in the muscles forming hard knots of hardened muscle fibres in the large muscles or in the fascia, the transparent skin you will be familiar with from joints of meat or poultry.

[Sleepysusie in reply to PMRpro]

Hi, thanks for the quick reply. That's very interesting. Although at first I thought it was my old back trouble returning it doesn't feel like before and the painkillers don't really help so I wasn't sure what was going on. I have just returned to work on reduced hours and am not sure what to do now. What helped you, did resting help, ?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sleepysusie]

I had it and PMR for 5 years before pred - during that time I found the best help I got was from my osteopath and my Bowen practitioner - but that isn't cheap! I also did Pilates and that eventually made a big difference. When the muscles go into spasm therapeutic massage also helps me a lot - and then I can do the Pilates exercises to strengthen the back muscles that matter. I'm also under the pain clinic here where I live in Italy but they seem to take a different approach to the UK.

When the low back pain is really bad I take 800mg ibuprofen (what is called a flooding dose) and sit with a hot water bottle over the spasmed muscles - that at least is cheap and while not very fast is effective for some hours! I don't take ibuprofen regularly, not a good idea with pred, but the occasional dose is approved of by my rheumy.

[Kendrew in reply to PMRpro]

Oh wow! That's so interesting because in 2014 I had a bad fall at Stansted airport, landing heavily on my coccyx. I've since had minor lower back problems but since diagnosis, have found if I walk for more than 30mins or stand for 15mins or more, I get severe lower back pain and what feels like a kind of spasm in the muscles either side of my lower spine, radiating around to my sides and ribcage area. Eases off very quickly once I sit down. Just assumed it was consequences of the fall but maybe its MPS??

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Kendrew]

Sounds distinctly possible at least. As I said at the pain clinic yesterday - as long as I don't DO anything its fine!!

[Kendrew in reply to PMRpro]

Haha......you don't strike me as a person who can 'do nothing' for long though!

Going to seek out a pilates instructor.... and maybe an osteopath.....seen an osteopath in the past....their treatment felt quite brutal but boy did it work. Slightly worried that osteopathic treatment could cause more aches and pains PMR wise though?? Not heard of Bowen practioners though!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Kendrew]

Depends - if it involves housework I can procrastinate forever!

My osteopath was the daughter of a spinal surgeon! Very aware and very good. I had rather brutal experiences in my teens - but they were farmers, more bone-crackers, but what they did worked. Had a wonderful one when I lived in Germany - but he was an orthopod whose boss at med school insisted if you couldn't do chiropractic you weren't a complete orthopod. My experience of the fancier chiropractors wasn't good - too much fluff

[Kendrew in reply to PMRpro]

👍👍👍😃😃

[Kayaksal in reply to Kendrew]

Look for an osteopath that offers cranial sacral treatments. They will use a gentle, relaxing therapy that does not involve the twisting and cracking . It really has helped me. I also do the Pilates work on my reformer where my back is supported on the platform.

[Kendrew in reply to Kayaksal]

Thankyou for your advice. Much appreciated. Can you tell me what a reformer is please. Not come across that before!

[Kayaksal in reply to Kendrew]

It’s the equipment I use to do my exercises. You can search for aero Pilates to see one. The one I have is at least 20 yrs old. I use it rather than just being on the floor. It provides great back support while I am enjoying the Pilates exercises.

[Kendrew in reply to Kayaksal]

Oh ok. Thankyou. I'll definitely explore that further.

[alvertta]

I have GCA. And have terrible lower back pain which I associate with the prednisone and GCA. I go to therapy but get little relief.

[Mazxstitch]

I have PMR and was getting back pain, left hand side above my waist, when I was standing for periods of time. I found a heat pad was very helpful. Don't have back pain now.

[Mary63]

I have PMR and a history of lower back pain since I was young, dealt with by osteopathy. Back pain now is always a hint I have gone too low on my prednisolone dose. It might be the case with you? I wonder if you have overshot the dose you need? A few days on 15 might tell you the answer, and then taper down by only 10% ish of your dose.

[Mary63]

Also you have just returned to work which may be a bit much for you, leading you to need a bit more pred. Maybe not a good idea to reduce just when you up your activity? Good luck!

[123-go]

I have had intermittent lower right flank (top of buttock) for some time even before I began tapering. It was relieved to some extent by physiotherapy but I haven't had appointments since lockdown. When I bend down without thinking the muscle spasms so I'm careful to bend my knees and stand up slowly. It is truly 'a pain in the backside'!

[Suffererc]

Yes, I also suffer with right sided lower back ache. Have since found out that I have 3 bulging discs, which I could have had before PMR, but they never gave me much bother, so who knows.

[Sleepysusie]

Hi, thanks for all your replies, it's so good to hear from you all. I was starting to feel a bit down about it all but I feel a bit more in control again now. I think I will phone GP next week and talk about my tapering while I return to work and MPS He did text me a link to back exercises which I did try but maybe it's too soon for those. I don't have a heat pad but a good old fashioned hot water bottle worked wonders. Yes I agree with you that I too am ok if I do very little or nothing and it truly is a pain in the backside !!