Weird PMR

[GucciPaddy]

Hi, I'm a two year sufferer of PMR. In the last four weeks or so the ache is very much localized in just one area - i.e. lower righthand side of my neck. This ache can become quite severe sometimes. No aches anywhere else! I'm currently on 10mg of Steriods and have both increased an decreased this dosage to no marked effect. I also experience a kind of tingle in the neck area in question - very much like a mild electric shock which generally lasts for half an hour or so. This tingle can occur at different times of the day.

Does anyone have any similar experience and, if so, do they know why this occurs?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Is it just above the collarbone? About half-way along?

[GucciPaddy in reply to PMRpro]

More or less

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to GucciPaddy]

Sternocleidomastoid muscle problems - Snazzy is a good person to ask about it. The attachment to the bones is about there - and can be inflamed in PMR.

[GucciPaddy in reply to PMRpro]

Appreciate your suggestion and just learned a new medical definition. Will investigate this, thanks

[GucciPaddy]

Appreciate your response and am awaiting my next virtual session (due to Covid-19) with the Rheumatologist to discuss it. Just felt until then that someone just might be experiencing the same symptoms.

[GucciPaddy]

This focused ache I get is much more severe than the level of pain I was getting from PMR - fortunately it doesn’t last!. I’ll very much bear in mind what you say when I get to speak with my Rheumatologist. Many thanks.

[SnazzyD]

Hello. Have a read of this. Tension in this area can lead to all sorts of weird and wonderful symptoms in the shoulder, head and neck area. The sternokleidomastoid muscles attach at the clavical and the breast bone then goes up the neck to behind the ear. Electric shock sensation sounds a bit like nerve pain directly which could be from extreme tension in the muscle or from somewhere nearer the spine. See if this chimes with you and it is always handy to know how to prevent problems as this is a muscle we all tend to abuse and weak muscles from Pred don’t help. Hopefully you’ll get to see the right person to assess you properly.

healthline.com/health/stern...

[GucciPaddy in reply to SnazzyD]

Appreciate your comments and will look up your link, thanks. I did assume the pain to be nerve related but as it felt like an electric shock I thought it might help to describe it as such.

[Iloveholidays in reply to SnazzyD]

I have had neck pain as GucciPaddy and you describe here, not the electric shock sensations though. You’re link is very informative. Thank you

[Iamfedup]

Sounds like a trapped nerve to me,I would see a doctor

[GucciPaddy in reply to Iamfedup]

I have seen a GP and he’s referred me to the Rheumatologist. Unfortunately seeing one is not so easy in the current pandemic. However it’s likely I’ll have a virtual phone session with one soon )I hope!). Thank you for your suggestion.

[Kaaswinkel72]

Hi, I respond as an ex physio, which does nt imply that what I say is true, of course. The fact that THIS pain does not get influenced by either an increase or a decrease of Prednisone makes me think that it possibly is not PMR pain. PMR pain responds to a change in dose of prednison.The neck/ the cervical spine / the bones become osteo arthritic when we get older and sometimes the osteo contributes to narrowing in the cervical spine and pressure on the nerve, which can give you the sensation you describe. An xray of your , and my, neck possibly shows some wear and tear, which of course is to be expected and nothing to worry about. Often these periods of pain come and go. You did nt mention whether your pain responds to paracetamol, which I would try if I was you, strictly following the instructions on the packet.

[GucciPaddy in reply to Kaaswinkel72]

It did cross my mind that it might not be due to my PMR! I have tried Paracetamol and I do get some relief - short period only. I'm hoping to have a virtual session with a Rheumatologist within the coming weeks - virtual due to Covid. I sure hope he can identify the likely cause. Thank you for your opinion and advice.

[Noosat]

To start with, I am not one of the experts. I have started to have some pain on right side of neck. What have I been doing new lately? Well, with nice weather, I am planting in pots on the deck. Whether I sit or stand, I am continually bending my neck. Also am pruning to low point salvia bushes out front. I sit on a stool and bend my back and neck. I interpret my pain to the unusual posture. Late in afternoon I take heavy dose of Tylenol. I am down to 2mg of prednisone after 2+ years.

[Liby57]

I’ had a Cervical MRI scan last year which revealed I have T1 and T2 disc protrusion with possible T1 nerve root compression. I still have pain in my right arm and tingling down to my fingers. My Physio ordered another MRI scan which I had last Friday, he wanted a more detailed scan and I’m now awaiting the results as it’s not certain whether the pain in my right arm is PMR or nerve root compression or possibly both! 🤔 I’ll keep you posted.

[GucciPaddy in reply to Liby57]

Appreciate your sharing your Cervical Scan results. Like you it’s not clear if PMR is the cause in my case! My GP referred me to a Rheumatologist last year but only had one actual session with him due to Covid. Since this session I’ve had two virtual ones by phone in the interim. However my “new” symptoms only arose since the last session so don’t know how he will view these! I anticipate having a phone session with him shortly and hopefully he’ll be able to diagnose my condition. Thank you again and good luck with your upcoming scans.

[Liby57 in reply to GucciPaddy]

I’ve only had one appointment with a Rheumatologist since I started this journey, I was due to have my second appointment in Jan but due to Covid this didn’t happen. I’m still waiting for an appointment. I hope all goes well with your appointment and they are able to give you a diagnosis.

[GucciPaddy in reply to Liby57]

Me too! Thank you for your thoughts.