Flare with normal blood results

[Pinkpepper]

I’ve had neck and shoulder pain for the last nine weeks, blood tests have been normal. Can you have a flare with normal readings please?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Yes... bloods have a tendency to lag behind symptoms for most, and

up to 20% never have raised blood markers.

Symptoms, as always, are the key.

[Pinkpepper in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks, I’m going back to my doctor next week and hopefully she’ll listen to me. The pains real for us but she seems to do everything by the book 🙄

[jinasc in reply to Pinkpepper]

Take someone with you and you will find they will listen better. Remember you are a person and an individual and the 'book' is general. If that makes sense.

[Pinkpepper in reply to jinasc]

I think due to Covid you cant take anyone with you but I'll make her listen. Thanks for your advice..

[MaryA_ in reply to Pinkpepper]

I take a person with me , she comes in with me and has written everything down in a note book

[MaryA_ in reply to jinasc]

Yes, take someone with you they do listen better. I have a great Rheumatologist, gives me prednisone for good 6 months and to stay on 3mg when I need more , just call his office!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I do. Always have had normal range blood tests. But they are raised for me.

However, if it is just neck and shoulder pain it may be myofascial pain syndrome leading to tight shoulder and neck muscles:

spineuniverse.com/condition....

spine-health.com/blog/treat...

Markers are less likely to be raised because the trigger points are localised concentrations of the same inflammatory substances rather than being systemic (all through the body) as in PMR.

[Pinkpepper in reply to PMRpro]

This sounds very much like my problem, thank you so much. As I’ve had it for so long wonder if my doctor might give me an injection? Is it the same as a steroid injection?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pinkpepper]

Probably the quickest if the doctor gets it right. I find stretches and manual mobilisation of the trigger points helps a lot. Locally they use a technique called quaddling or needling which is injections under the surface of the skin using lignocaine. I've also had it using saline and it still works - the "irritation" of the technique stimulates the muscle in some way and it relaxes. It has been a long process for me but it has been worth it. The local pain specialist is very wary of deeper injections with steroids for me as I am on anticoagulant therapy too.

PS - I also got a lot of benefit from Bowen therapy if you have that anywhere near you.

[Pinkpepper in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you so much, you’ve given me such a lot of valuable information, best wishes

[herdysheep]

yes!