PMR IN LOWER BACK

[Heather270240]

I have GCA lost sight 10 years ago. I never had PMR until a few weeks ago when I developed severe pains in my hips and lower back. I was on 9 mg of Pred for my GCA and because of a recent flare. Last Saturday the pains in my back were so bad I raised my Pred to 15 mg thinking it could be PMR. it eased the pain but today I took 20 mg and it felt much better until late PM when I had to take a co-codamol. I only have pain in my lower back no where else. Can this be PMR?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi Heather,

Back/hip pain can be caused by lots of things - arthritis, sacroiliac joint issues, sciatica, lumbar spondylitis.

If you need more than 15-20mg Pred and co-codamol I would query whether it’s just PMR.

It really needs further investigation.

This link shows some exercises that may help if not PMR related -nhs.uk/conditions/back-pain...

Just read your profile - scarily like mine - sight loss (2012), bereavement(2013) & working for same organisation, same place (89/90s)

[Heather270240 in reply to DorsetLady]

Many thanks DL. Scary we follow the same path!! Like you I never had PMR so had nothing to compare. However it came on so quickly at a weekend I just had to go something. Today it is very much easier just walked a mile to local hospital. Incidentally bloods normal CRP 5, ESR 13. I think it's a wait and see.

[Hidden]

Good morning, I'm so very sorry to read that you've lost your sight due to GCA. Did you lose your sight in both eyes. Regarding your back pain it doesn't sound PMR related. Mine started in neck, shoulders, hips, buttocks and knees, and found one morning I just couldn't get out of bed without feeling severe pain. GCA is such a frightening disease, and with me only having the sight in one eye anyway (not related to GCA) if petrifies me. I hope your pain soon eases.

Anne

[Heather270240 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Staplehurst. Thank goodness only one eye but still scary. After taking 20 mg Pred for 3 days pain much easier. Like you I had difficulty getting out of bed and climbing stairs. Unfortunately I live upstairs so had to climb them!! Many thanks for your msg.

[Hidden in reply to Heather270240]

Still terrible, but glad you're not totally blind. One lady on the forum is due to GCA. Her doctor didn't put her on a high enough dose. I think most of us are aware of the symptoms of GCA and act accordingly. I had PMR in Dec 2019. Started on 15 mg (I think the usual dose) pain went immediately after taking them. Sadly, once I'd reached 8mg I had a few symptoms of GCA . Tender head, headache and jaw pain. My Rheumatologist told me to take 40mg of Prednisone, I've been slowly reducing ever since using the 'Dead Slow and Stop' method. Trouble is as we age we get all sorts of aches and pains and not all of them are due to PMR. I have osteoarthritis too and that causes neck pain....oh the joys of ageing eh !!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It could be but it could also be something called myofascial pain syndrome that is common alongside PMR and often affects low back and hips. Pred does help it - but much more targeted management is better, sometimes using steroid injections which act locally.

[Heather270240]

I did wander about MPS as I have heard you mention it before. It started initially in my left hip and over the week spread. It's certainly easier today. Many thanks for your msg.

[Purplecrow]

Answer...Yes. Sacroiliac pain , bursitis in hips, and lumbar pain, are primary pain sites for me. Also, shoulder (bicep muscle/tendon) complete the party. Relief from lying down, using topical arthritis type rubs and sprays. Recently, a flare was so intense, I bumped pred from 6 to 20 mg. For 5 days. That worked, and I dropped to 15, then 12, where I am now. Will continue quick taper in next weeks. It's an ongoing process, as you know, to keep up with medications and this pesky disorder. P.s, I have PMR, no GCA🙏🏽Kind regards, Jerri

PMR diagnosed 2013

P.s. again, ditto what PMRPro says..

[Heather270240]

This is new for me and came on suddenly. I am normally riding bike 40+ miles and walking several miles. So frustrating but easier since I increased pred. Thanks for your msg.

[Asbeck]

Mostly, I think that I have GCA. 11 days after the 2nd Pfizer jab I started having lower back pain radiating down my hips. It progressed to the point where I needed something to assist me to sit, rise from a sit, get in bed, or rise from bed. I had trouble walking and could only walk very slowly. Excruciating pain. I believe that it was a PMR flair. After 6 days it's getting better. Rheumy prescribed muscle relaxants. They helped. The muscles on either side of the lower spine would spasm, and it hurt terribly. Of course, I upped the Pred. and took Alleve. (I didn't care about some proscriptions against using this kind of OTC drug.I really respect you PMRers. If this was a PMR flair (and I don't know what else it cold be*) it is unbearable. Even with increased Pred. I have started losing weight. I do this when I am very sick with GCA or PMR. No fever though.Since the immune system kicks in for COVid about 14 days after 2nd shot, I assume that when it kicked in my revved up antibodies did their thing and attacked me with PMR. But I don't know for sure. My Rheumy said for me to go to bed. Actually, I could not have stayed up. She did not ask that I take a blood test.

*In a below post PMRpro suggests that it could be myofascial pain syndrome. But my pain was broad in the muscles on each side of the lower spine. Then they spasmed and (I assume) pulled the spine. Boy did it hurt. Only complete stillness in bed helped some (before more Pred. muscle relaxants and Alleve). Interesting the Rheumy prescribed the muscle relaxants before I described the spasming, but after I told her that I needed a walker.

Even now, 6 days later, I need to go to bed often. But it's much better. I could not have stood that pain for much longer.

I hope and wish for you that you are better soon.

[Heather270240]

Hi Asbeck. So sorry to hear that you have been in so much pain. I found moving about or gentle exercise eased mine sitting made it worse. Hope your pain eases soon.