Pulled muscles

[bakingD]

I seem to pull muscles very easily- is this because of steroids or is it my PMR??eventually the pain gets better but it takes a while - if I overdo the digging in the garden,over exercise or sit in awkward position I really know about it!!PMR since May 18 on 2.5/3mg Pred

Any advice welcome thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Is it really a pulled muscle or is it DOMS, delayed onset muscle soreness, the sore muscles you always get when you overdo exercise?

The pred only manages the inflammation, it does nothing about the actual disease, an underlying autoimmune disorder that makes your immune system unable to recognise your body as self and so it attacks the tissues as a foreign invader, like a bacterial or viral infection. This continues in the background and leaves your muscles intolerant of acute exercise. If you do even a bit too much your muscles become sore and don't recover the way they usually would. It's another case of pacing - short bits of activity and then at least as long resting, if not longer. A rest day between active days is also a good thing to do - it doesn't mean do nothing, it means use different muscles.

[bakingD in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks v much as always

[Kendrew]

Hi bakingD,Since my diagnosis of PMR two years ago, I've worked hard at educating myself about all aspects of the condition (and I'm still learning!) Exercise and taking care of my health & well-being has always been an important part of my life, so suddenly being struck with a condition that leads to extreme fatigue presented me with a few challenges. Currently I am no longer able to complete my daily gym workouts or go off walking for a day but over time and very gradually I have discovered an exercise regime that works for me and combines a daily walk in the morning with yoga for osteoporosis in the afternoon. From only being able to walk for 10mins max 18mths ago I now have a daily walk of up to an hour most days. If I'm feeling fragile then I'll either shorten the walk accordingly or cancel it for that day.

Through trial & error and learning much from here, I'm now achieving a good balance, but as you remarked upon in your post....at first I would suffer what felt like strained or pulled muscles after each period of exercise.

PMRPro has already explained why this occurs and her explanation matches exactly the processes and manifestations I've experienced after exceeding my capabilities....if I've overworked a muscle or muscle group, I'd know about it either the next, or a few days later, but thankfully I seem better able to gauge my limits now. When it comes to gardening it's 'little & often', as again I've really felt the consequences if I've overdone it....and it takes far less to 'overdo' it with PMR! It also takes much longer for the muscles to recover so the aches and pains can linger.

It is possible to go about your daily life and continue to do many of the things you normally do but you just have to be more mindful to take things at a much slower and gentler pace and recognise what your own personal limitations are. It takes far less activity to 'pull' a muscle so it's important that you learn what your threshold is. This might change over time too so it's a constant game of monitoring and adjusting. It sounds more complicated than it really is and although it's important to get it right it's not something to get anxious or stressed out about. Perhaps put the bungee jumping and mega-marathons on hold for now though!😄😄

[bakingD in reply to Kendrew]

Thanks very useful advice

[Kendrew in reply to bakingD]

I'd require a stretcher and treatment for PTSD!!😄

[Bcol]

Nothing to add to PMRPro and Kendrew's comments, but hopefully Kendrew will send pictures when she is fit enough to "indulge" in her her last sentence!!

[Kendrew in reply to Bcol]

Hahaha! 😂😂😂