Pain when taking a deep breath

[Bev61]

Well I tried to get off the pred five days free and then pain started upper back and right shoulder . Also pain in chest when breathing in . This scared me as I am wondering if the pleural effusion is back . I am going away tomorrow for a week to Northumberland shall take all my meds . Just wondering if anybody else has issues taking a deep breath when PMR flares up

[jinasc]

Have I read your profile correct PMR May 2021?

If so, why have you stopped taking the pred?

[Bev61 in reply to jinasc]

Very worried about steroid side effects if I am taking and don’t have PMR

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bev61]

I've been on pred for 12 years - and haven't crumbled yet, The side effects of pred are far less than the potential side effects of PMR being more likely to progress to GCA because the PMR isn't being managed. There are adverse effects with pred - but they are not serious in a matter of a few weeks and not too bad at the doses used for PMR. Most can be mitigated or avoid when you know how.

[piglette in reply to Bev61]

Are you in pain without the steroids?

[Bev61 in reply to piglette]

Would seem that way . I have taken steroid today 7.5 mg and pain eased

[piglette in reply to Bev61]

Are you taking the steroids just occasionally or daily?

[Bev61 in reply to piglette]

Was taking daily got to 5 mg then stopped .

[piglette in reply to Bev61]

Yes but she has now started taking 7.5mg.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Can only echo jinasc - although I think I do see why. I wouldn't have reduced that fast though.

The respiratory physician doesn't have a clue about pred - except as HE uses it. If I were you I would try 5mg and see if that works to relieve the pain and stick there until you see the rheumy except if you CAN get lower in the meantime (sensibly, not a the speed you have done so far) then do so. It will be easy enough to stop if the rheumy wants you to.

You MAY have PMR if the symptoms fit and if pred relieves the symptoms, at 5mg that is fine in the interim . Your blood markers weren't really valid in the PMR context - chest problems can send CRP into orbit and that can make the ESR go up too. But if your problems respond to a really low dose of pred I would take advantage of that for now.

[Bev61 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you to both of you for your reply . I have a phone consultation with rheumatologist July just want to know if this is pain from my respiratory issues or PMR. . Taking steroids does frighten me . I have gone backup today and feel better . Think I am suffering from health anxiety with all this . Scares me too !