Lower back spasms

[paskymom]

Been down from 10mg of pred for about a 10 days now and had a bad episode of lower back spasms on my right side. Was so painful for about an hour. Took Tylenol Back pills . Seemed to settle it down for abit but still feeling the twinges and some pain. Anyone experience this….part of PMR or prednizone….kidneys?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I have the same problem - due to myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) which, in turn, is part of my PMR. I have had it for years even before PMR but it is harder to manage because of the PMR because it mixes in. PMR is caused by the cytokine IL-6 being systemic. MPS is caused by the same cytokine but instead it is in the fascia of the muscles (the transparent skin you will be familar with from joints of meat and poultry) and as trigger points, knots of hardened inflamed muscle fibres that can be felt in the large muscles, especially the shoulders, lats and piriformis, and which predispose the muscle to tightening to protective itself and can also irritate nearby nerves supplying other parts of the body. Mine eases at higher doses of pred but is worse at lower doses. But direct treatment with steroid injections and manual therapies saves on the pred dose. In an emergency, I take 800mg of ibuprofen (the flooding dose) and sit against a hot water bottle. I've been reduced to that today - despite the outside temps!!!!

[paskymom in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your response and information.. always so helpful!!! .. Lower back muscle in kidney area are pretty sore today...prob because of the long lasting spasm yesterday? Hoping it settles down!!

[Predderman2020]

I had spasms and cramps there on both sides from the beginning. I went to an osteopath and she strongly/deeply loosened the muscles over 3 sessions. She gave me 3 exercises for twice a day. Pain went off after a month. Then (typical!) I became less regular with exercises. And now it is coming back, so I am picking up on the stretching again. I found the Hot Water Bottle of great relief.

[paskymom in reply to Predderman2020]

Thank you… this site is always so helpful. 😊