Dull Pain in upper back , shoulders , and diaphragm .

[Athena2020]

I was prescribed Prednisone by my Doctor and started taking prednisone at 20 mg, at the end of July and styed on 20 Mg for two weeks , I was having a hard time tolerating the side affect so my Doctor drooped my dose to 15 mg I felt much better after a week . This feeling good and pain free lasted for approximately 1 .5 Month. After that I started having upper back pain , shoulders, and diaphragm and side pain. since beginning of October. I can describe the pain as a burning stiffness and dull deep pain . Can anyone please let me know if they are experiencing anything like this. Would Prednisone contribute to this?? I don't know what to think.

Thank you

[SnazzyD]

Have you had any respiratory problems or fever?

[Athena2020 in reply to SnazzyD]

Shortness of breath

[SnazzyD in reply to Athena2020]

If this shortness of breath is unusual I do think you need to get checked out. It may be nothing to do with PMR.

[Athena2020 in reply to SnazzyD]

I had this a few months ago . And had it checked by a resperoligist. After various tests he concluded by saying it was the muscular pain .

[SnazzyD in reply to Athena2020]

Ah ok? What tests did you have, if you don’t mind saying?

[Athena2020 in reply to SnazzyD]

pulmonary function text and the Methacholine challenge test.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Had you been doing any activities that might overload your back muscles? Lifting, cleaning (sweeping or washing floors) or gardening for example.

[Athena2020 in reply to PMRpro]

Hello, I am always doing things around the house . But i do not think i did anything too strenuous. Its just so discouraging .

Thank you so much for your reply

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Athena2020]

If I spend more than 10 minutes doing floor cleaning of any sort I feel it next day.

[Athena2020 in reply to PMRpro]

maybe I have to limit the house work a bit and see how it goes.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Athena2020]

It's my excuse

[composition]

If I have learned anything in my 2-3 year journey with PMR and prednisone and yes, Leflunomide to help me eventually be prednisone free, it is that there are as many different problems as there are people. Just follow your doctors, don't second-guess them, and stay on this site so you don't feel alone. Sometimes I get confused as I try to taper down, so in the end, make your decisions and stick with them, taking all the information into account. Making a decision and staying with it at least takes the anxiety out of the equation. good luck. I've had about every side effect out there from compression fractures to joint pain, but the main thing is I get up every day and GO. Keeping active in whatever way you choose is the key, and I am 78.

[Athena2020 in reply to composition]

Thank you so much for responding to me and thank you for your encouragement. And yes moving is the key .

Thank you again