Just seen 4 th physio and not happy

[Arflane97G]

I am now 4 months off pred and generally feeling ok except - was diagnosed with left shoulder rotator cuff strain last December. Saw lovely physio and was given exercises to do every other day. Next appt was with different physio (over the phone) who said it was not rotator cuff strain and gave me different exercises to which I could not really follow at all. Saw third physio (via zoom) who said might be strain or tear but gave me another set of exercises to do which made things worse and in fact I developed deep ache in both shoulders ( very unlike pmr pain btw). Saw 4th physio in person who offered no suggestion as to what it was but prescribed different set of exercises - 3 x a day using 2 kg weights and now my wrists hurt! Ache is always worse when I have I suppose over done things so I am thinking maybe joints and muscles still not in a good place after pmr and when I try to do things I would have done before pmr my body is not happy. Now thinking I should maybe find a private physio who really understands pmr??

[jinasc]

Check out this link and there are other NHS resources on the web.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/256...

[SnazzyD]

My friend who does not have PMR but has had some major drug induced deconditioning has had the same problem with different physios, endless exercise sheets, very little information and no joined up care. It seems to be ok for basic rehab but not for any complex case or with a disease process in the background. What they need to do is talk to each other, pool their expertise (or dilute any lack) and come up with a care plan with a rationale to be followed by others. My experience is the same, different physio, different pet theory and little knowledge about chronic disease. I’m sorry to say that with years of injuries and issues under my belt, I’ve rarely had a good experience. I jumped ship and went to an osteopath or chiropractor and latterly a Bowen therapist with good effect. Last year I ended up with a dire pelvic floor, prolapse and crippling Achilles pain. My GP referred me to physio, same dismal story, but then I was told about a private physio practice locally. It has changed my life. I was given someone who specialised in pelvic problems but who still did a really thorough holistic assessment and picked up other seemingly unrelated issues that contributed to the main problem. Cost about a £100 for the first appointment and £45 there on and I see the same person each time. I understand that the usual physios have time constraints but I really don’t understand the knowledge difference; they all have the same training. My friend is about to do the same after a year of zero progress but has been reluctant to let the side down and go private as well as the cost.

[Arflane97G in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you for this - really feel I have lost confidence although I am seen at a teaching hospital! My friend’s sister is a physio and was appalled to hear how I been treated - time to find a private physio I guess

[SnazzyD in reply to Arflane97G]

I’m only just working up to using weights and I just had the high dose Pred for GCA without PMR too. Before diagnosis I was very fit and a 2kg weight was nothing.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

I noticed it too in the UK with NHS physios - the set-up here is so different and the approaches much better, For a start you get up to 12 sessions with the same physio, 45 min per time! And hands-on ...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Well definitely one who doesn't start someone on 2kg weights for shoulder problems!! I struggle to even lift 2kg because of (probably) PMR related wrist problems - debating what to do about the kettle ...

[jinasc in reply to PMRpro]

scottsofstow.co.uk/neostar-...

Solved my problem when Joan was here and best item I have bought in a long time. Cheaper to run than boiling a kettle.

I thought I would go back to a kettle, but wrists and thumb just did not want to know - painful to lift.

If you decide...................PM me.

[piglette]

I think if I were you I would give up physios as they seem to have side effects!! I would talk to Dr Google instead.