Prednisone

[Uglow]

Iv taken 15mg for 2 days no difference on pain I think must be fracture! Can I jus drop back to my 10 mg tomorrow without effects please

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Yes - but are you sure you aren't just being impatient?

[Uglow in reply to PMRpro]

About what bit sorry

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Uglow]

About getting an improvement in 2 days

[Uglow in reply to PMRpro]

Oh I thought if no improvement it’s not the pmr pain please advise me

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Uglow]

It can take a few days - it isn't always immediate, How long did it take to get relief originally?

[Uglow in reply to PMRpro]

I’m unsure how long to stay on higher dose my Gp said I was not to up it in first place and stay on low does I was on. Not sure whether I’m coming or going. Gp said I’ll cal you in 2 weeks to discuss back we discussed enough for now.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Uglow]

This is something you need to discuss with your GP and get it straight, We can't tell you what to do, only what WE would do in the same circumstances. But fracture pain is excruciating and very little helps much. However - my husband found cocodamol very effective for the pain, but the constipation was horrendous, and I think it is fair to say that getting fracture pain control right is crucial. It will almost certainly work out what pain is PMR-related since PMR almost never responds to ordinary painkillers.

It really would help if you completed your profile with your history - it has no information on there at all at present.

[Uglow in reply to PMRpro]

I’m going to try co codomol

[Uglow in reply to PMRpro]

Not sure I thought that’s what this site said on one of the reply’s I read.

[HeronNS]

If you have a compression fracture then your doctor should be giving you some advice about how to manage. Can you (temporarily) have a back brace, I think that's what they're called, which would relieve the pressure on the nerves which are being squished? Eventually as you heal you should be able to start some form of therapy to strengthen your back muscles so they take on the task. You'd need professional assistance with that - can you, or have you seen a physiotherapist?

[Uglow in reply to HeronNS]

I have brought a back brace in desperation 😩but not suiting me at moment. Iv also seen a physio that said at your age there’s not much we can do. I was a bit knocked back by that.

[HeronNS in reply to Uglow]

Oh great. I wish I could send you to my physiotherapist. That being said, a friend of mine was bent over double with her osteoporosis. Then I saw her using Nordic walking poles. She couldn't manage them quite correctly, but they were helping her to stand upright. Later I saw her (sadly at her husband's funeral) and she was, assisted by the poles, standing completely straight. I think she was the person my Nordic poles instructor mentioned when he told us about a star pupil.

I do not believe that there is nothing that can be done, but some therapists obviously have different training and interests. I've never forgiven the young man who treated me rather inadequately for post-fracture physio (I had a tibial plateau fracture, no displacement or surgery) when he remarked something about people with a "real" injury. As a sixty-something woman recovering from a broken leg I thought this was rich. Anyway I never saw him again, refused to, and have since moved to a completely different clinic where the physiotherapist is owner, sole employee, and has helped me immensely through several different issues.

[ChinaWuntoo]

Please bear with me on a slight digression; it does seem to link with this thread.

I am quite sure that I have a flare-up of a pinched nerve in my lower back (had it before and recognise the pain). Am I correct in thinking that this has no connection with my PMR or with inflammation? Am I correct in thinking that Pred will not help this? (I'm down to 4 1/2mg)

Many thanks.

[Uglow in reply to ChinaWuntoo]

I think you are right

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ChinaWuntoo]

My low back upset nerves are due to spasmed/tight low back muscles because of myofascial pain syndrome - which is more common amongst PMR patients and now acknowledged to be part of the pathology of PMR.

However - you are partly right in saying pred won't help - it often does at higher doses but too high to be a really good way of managing it. I get treatments from the pain clinic and (when I can) the physio department with manual therapies that release the tight muscles.

[Uglow in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you

[ChinaWuntoo in reply to PMRpro]

PMRpro: Thank you - just what I wanted to hear (if you see what I mean). For many years I have held my back in tension: I know it's stupid and I have tried (but not very hard) and failed to improve posture. I think I am now paying the price. I have taken to wearing a belt in the last week or two and that certainly helps (however, it means I do stuff that I shouldn't do and then suffer - like pruning the trees this morning before the rain - stupid, stupid - when will I learn?).

But I will certainly research myofascial pain syndrome; I have noted in the past that you and others have mentioned this but didn't dream it could refer to my problems. Once again - this Forum and its experts are so helpful.

Unfortunately I have had bad experiences with a chiropractitioner a few years ago and, just beore being diagnosed with PMR, a physiotherapist didn't help my shoulder - because it was PMR!

Thanks again.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ChinaWuntoo]

Physios here say that posture isn't the cause - it is the effect of the back problems - you adopt the posture that hurts least. And mostly the muscle problems refer to a physical problem or injury. I have a scoliosis - and it almost disappeared at one point when I was doing Pilates once or twice a week. If you have a good teacher it is as good as a god physio,

[Uglow in reply to PMRpro]

I am waiting for psi to settle a bit before I embark on hypnosis that had been highly recommend and Iv joined a spa just so I get use of warm pool 😂

[ChinaWuntoo in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks.

[Uglow in reply to ChinaWuntoo]

I have been using CBD oil and edibles for sometime they 💯% help with sleep and pain. I generally sleep 9/10 hours. Worth a try

[USAGCA]

Yes you can drop back to 10 mg. If it is PMR pain, it should get better quickly, some say within hours.

[Uglow in reply to USAGCA]

Originally I was pain free within 5 hours