Pain free?

[Mazxstitch]

Should you be totally pain free before reducing dosage! My right collar bone and knee are both aching, not all the time, but most days. I can usually identify that I have done something to explain why it is so.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Ideally - but some people never achieve total freedom from pain even at the starting dose. Though that is your guide - you shouldn't feel worse than that after a taper step and you are then looking for the lowest dose that keeps you there.

The collarbone bit may be due to sternocleidomastoid muscle problems:

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

and there are things you can try to remedy them.

The knee is a bit more difficult to identify a reason - but you say you can identify things you have done to account for it. What are they? That may provide clues. If it were me, I'd look for potential back muscle problems that contribute to both.

[Mazxstitch in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your prompt reply. I have read the article and think that the time I spend on cross stitch and on my tablet may well explain the discomfort in the collar bone. A heat pad application eases this.The area of the knee involved is the outside below the knee and going down the shin. I can experience, without warning, a sharp pain while walking or a dull ache even while in bed.

Possible causes I suspect are: cold, damp weather (I live in the NE of Scotland and this type of weather is usual), stretching to reach things, lifting or carrying shopping etc, walking too fast.

Stress features heavily! The effects of Lockdowns, lack of social contact, ground hog days are more than trying.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Mazxstitch]

When I first came to the east coast of Scotland it was so much drier than where I grew up! Though haar was a trifle cold and damp ...

Sounds like a good analysis - is your low back OK? When I had sciatic problems due to the piriformis being tight it often bothered the outside of my knee and occasionally down to my ankle.

[Mazxstitch in reply to PMRpro]

Oh the haar, the haar! Grey skies, can't even see the houses at the bottom of the street. Cold weather never used to bother me, but it does know.

If I stand to long my back gets very tight and uncomfortable, but it is higher up than sciatica would be.

I had a Reiki treatment a while back which helped both the knee and the collar bone. Shops are opening here on Monday and I have a Reiki appointment a week tomorrow. I am also intending having a massage quite soon.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Mazxstitch]

Round about the lats? All hangs to gether ...

You could see the bottom of the street? I worked at Arbroath indoor pool one summer - had I been at the outdoor one I'd never have worked! I'd set off in brilliant sunshine and by halfway to the pool you couldn't see across the road!

[Mazxstitch in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, just below the lats.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Mazxstitch]

My problem too! Currently sitting against a hot water bottle!!!

[Ringo4]

Hi there. I am never pain free before reducing my doses. It’s a personal choice but I push as far as I can whilst keeping quite detailed notes and monitoring each day on the new dose. I’ve been on too much steroids over recent years so I feel that any days at a lower dose are a victory and give my body a wake up call.

If I then have to increase again I try not to be negative. Spend a while back on the higher dose and start again.

All good wishes.

[Mazxstitch in reply to Ringo4]

Thank you for replying, appreciate your input very much.

[Ringo4 in reply to Mazxstitch]

You are most welcome

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Ringo4]

Be careful with yoyoing - it can make reducing harder in the long term.