One sided shoulder pain with PMR?

[Horsewhisper]

In addition to a GCA diagnosis last year, and further to a PET CT scan, I’ve just been diagnosed with PMR. I have severe pain and stiffness in both hips and thighs but only the left shoulder is painful? Is this usual?

[GrandmaPirate]

Yes, I have similar symptoms and there may be a difference between right and left. This may be changing in the course of your PMR period. Also what you can do, how far you can reach with your arms may be different and change. I try do exercises to maintain good condition of the muscles in arms and legs and if sometimes I can not do the same with left and right I just do not force, I listen to my body and try again the next day. Never expect miracles but keep moving.

[Horsewhisper in reply to GrandmaPirate]

Thanks GrandmaPirate, interesting to hear you have differences too. I am active and am keen to stay this way. Moving definitely helps, it’s when I stop I find it difficult to get going again!

[Grannyasbo]

Hi. Fairly new into this journey but I too get pain in one shoulder sometimes . I have had shoulder impingements on both sides historically and did lots of exercises (mostly 🤣) to keep mobile and pain down and thought PMR onset was just impingements and lower back problems going bonkers (I wish). Now, courtesy of pred (15mg) pain much reduced in shoulders and hips but still, like this morning, get shoulder pain one side and not sure if PMR or old impingement pain. I wonder if I will ever be able to tell? Looking forward to reading others wise words and experiences.

[Horsewhisper in reply to Grannyasbo]

Thanks Grannyasbo - hope you are doing ok at the moment.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

PMR affects either/or hips and shoulder girdle - and it is possible that the bad shoulder has something else going on as well. Although PMR is generally said to be bilateral, it can be just on one side - or it can be worse one side than the other.

[Horsewhisper in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks Pro - the PET scan highlighted inflammation in the hips but nothing in the shoulders - my left shoulder is way more painful than the pain in my hips! They’ve checked the vascular stuff out in chest, neck and head too, nothing to report on that front. Interesting to hear that it can be worse on one side.

[herdysheep]

My left shoulder/neck def worse than right, but may be due to over compensation for what rheumy described as 'mechanical' issues with right! Either way, think it is as well as pmr. Sometimes theses things become more apparent as times wears on.......................

[Horsewhisper in reply to herdysheep]

Thanks herdysheep, will keep an eye on things

[Selfbuilder]

Not only do I get differences between sides but it moves around, particularly the hips where they seem to take turns in protesting. Often seemed to move between shoulders and hips before getting the prednisolone level right.I see a positive in this as the side that's OK reminds me that, in a sense, it's not permanent.