PMR Flare?

[Coco63]

Hello all, to recap I started on pred 15mg 3 weeks ago and saw a massive improvement in my symptoms within a couple of days. However, 1 week ago I started to get a niggling ache in my left shoulder/neck/shoulder blade/bicep down to elbow, which has got steadily worse and feels pre-pred agony and immobility, like I’ve been battered with a heavy spade! Could this be a normal flare and sign I may have been overdoing things or could it indicate the rheumatologist may need to up the dose? I’ve emailed him but don’t know when I may get a reply and wondered if anyone else had experienced anything similar? Thanks x😊

[SnazzyD]

Disappointing after a good start! You say you might have over done it. What have you been doing? A common pattern is after feeling so much better with Pred a new zest for life occurs and all the things not done before due to pain become done. PMR muscles are not as tolerant healthy muscles and Pred can have an effect too though this is early days with Pred. Does that ring any bells for you?

[Coco63 in reply to SnazzyD]

Thanks snazzyD, that sounds about right. Last weekend was my son's 21st birthday and I travelled up north for a family get together. This involved a bit of walking in the peaks (in heels) then chilly outdoor lunch. Next day trip to supermarket, preparing food, sitting outside in a draughty gazebo most of the day, quite a few glasses of champagne, singing, dancing, a brief interlude where I had a moment of private sobbing over nothing at all, then decided what I really needed was to dive into a cold, outdoor pool, - apart from that I took things pretty easy! I also went deaf for about 3 hours in one ear which was strange...I think new found zest for life might have been the culprit! 🤣🤪

[SnazzyD in reply to Coco63]

🤦‍♀️🙂

[piglette in reply to Coco63]

Say no more! We have to learn PMR is life changing, all the pred does is relieve the pain, it does not cure the illness unfortunately. I was always told to ‘rest, rest, rest’!

[HeronNS]

What Snazzy and Piglette said! Try a couple of days of being a precious princess. Gentle walk, no diving into cold water, for example. See if that improves matters. It's always good not to take more pred than absolutely necessary, so doing this will help you determine whether you really need it, or if behavioral changes will sort the problem. Good luck. P.S. Sounds like you had a fabulous time, and in retrospect probably worth the payment you're making now.

[Coco63 in reply to HeronNS]

Yes will do. I don’t know what came over me 😂 I think a combination of the feel good pred and slightly illegal coming out of lockdown and seeing my lovely family that I hadn’t seen for soo long. Definitely worth it I think 😖😩

[HeronNS in reply to Coco63]

A pred high alone can do it, I don't think you had a chance! 😉🤣

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Since you say it is one-sided I'd suspect doing too much may be equally as much to blame as the PMR! Although as I have just said to someone else - the PMR may be progressing.

And having read your replies - you are joking when you say "apart from that I took things pretty easy"?

[Coco63 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks PMRpro, yes, I was joking! Only thing is, I wasn’t doing anything strenuous with my left arm and the niggling pain began a few days before the mad partying. I’m a little bit worried the PMR maybe progressing too ...I hope not

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Coco63]

It is possible that you had done something before - but if there were niggles the exciting weekend just compounded the problem I suspect! You should get the shoulder looked at though - just in case it IS something else.

[Coco63 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, thanks. I had a reply from the rheumy who said it sounded like muscles or tendons, not to up the steroids and I could have an injection if it continued, but have to say it’s feeling quite a bit better today so panic over! I’m seeing him next week anyway for a 4 week review.

[winfong]

Hmm, sounds like we had a very similar weekend. I am still paying for it. 🤕

[Coco63 in reply to winfong]

Haha I guess we need all the fun we can get! 🎉

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