Hi everyone, j
I've had PMR for 10 months now,under control with Pred and gradually tapering from 60 mgs,was down to 4.5.However , hurt my back last week??? doing what,bending over and it sorted of clicked!!and I'm now in agony, and have severely limited movement, pain relief barely touching it.My question is, do you think having PMR makes this kind of pain worse?? I've upped pred to 5mgs.I hate feeling like this.Thanks.x
Sounds very much like you’ve tweaked something and it needs to be looked at. I wouldn’t take extra Pred for a trauma thing like that except if you were suffering from adrenal insufficiency as a result of the pain. It needs diagnosis and perhaps adjustment or prescribed exercises, maybe even an x-ray or scan. I certainly wouldn’t be popping extra Pred and hoping for the best. Where is the pain exactly?
Hi and thanks for the reply.Its lower right back,I dont think it's anything serious as I wasnt doing anything in particular at the time,just bending over!And it's happened before,a few years ago, but was better in a few days.Trying to get a docs appointment here is just about impossible, they may give me one for 3 weeks time,if I'm lucky,probably a phone call,which is no use whatsoever. I think I need to know more about this adrenal insufficiency. I'm so fed up of this, as a fellow sufferer I'm sure you know the feeling....being inactive doesnt suit me,I'd be a terrible patient!!
Is it possible to see a chiropractor, osteopath or physio?Often when damage is being done it isn’t the last ouchy that has done it, that’s the straw that has broken the camel’s back, so to speak.
Have you read about the adrenal function in the FAQ’s yet? Take a look and come back with questions if you have them.
What is causing your inactivity, other than your current problem?
I try not to be inactive.I walk most days and go to the gym ,at present about twice a week.And I intend ,with caution, to carry on.Im really tired tho,which is a side effect of reduction I presume.I will read the posts on adrenal function. I have another appointment at the hospital soon,January, so will go armed with questions and hopefully knowledgeable.
Here’s one - healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...
There are others as well.
And as asked by PMRpro why 60mg? - that’s usually starting dose for GCA with sight issues?
60mgs was what the locum prescribed ,without seeing me,he just listened to my description of the pain.No sight problems at all,thankfully.No one actually said that I had PMR.Its only thru reading posts on this site and Doctor Google that I decided it is.After much begging ,I was referred to a rheumatologist, who agreed with me.Have managed to get down to 4.5mgs and it seemed to be fine.Thanks.
Well it would have on those doses, oodles of Pred sloshing around in body to cover all pains, now you are down to a low dose, very little wriggle room...so as SnazzyD suggests a slower taper - here's just one -
You may find you need to tone down the exercise if your and adrenal function can’t keep up with producing the cortisol it needs when you stress the body. You’ll soon tell because you’ll feel horribly tired and ghastly. This is the time to use the dead slow reducing method if you are not already doing so.
Please see a doctor or a physio. Alternative, unproven treatments such as osteopathy and chiropractic can be dangerous. They are not recommended by the NHS.Hope you feel better soon. Easy does it.
You can get osteopathy and chiropody on the NHS is you have an NHS one near you but rarely do they work outside of the private sector. Perhaps it’s because it’s more viable as a business not to do so, like lots of dentist dropping NHS care. I’ve had two GP’s suggest I see one in the past too. nhs.uk/conditions/osteopathy/
nhs.uk/conditions/chiroprac...
In my experience it’s also down to the skill of the practitioner. I have two lasting problems caused by poor practice and they were both due to NHS physios who blindly worked from a sheet. I left one osteopath because they were too heavy handed and settled with one who was right for me and got to know me in detail which has been far better than seeing a string of random people.
I don't think alternative, unproven and often dangerous treatments like those of chiropractic or osteopathy should ever be recommended...especially on a forum like this.
I don't think so - the pain from my muscle spasm episodes were equally horrible before PMR too! Here they call them a witch's shot - very apt!
In the absence of a GP appointment, my emergency approach is an 800mg flooding dose of ibuprofen and a seat on the sofa (not a squooshy low one) , well supported with pillows and sitting upright (a firm upright armchair is preferable if you have one) with a hot water bottle across the painful region. It may take a couple of days, it will almost certainly take several hours to ease. Take the ibuprofen with food if you aren't on something like omeprazole.
Out of interest - if you started on 60mg, was there a suspicion of GCA due to the symptoms? 60mg is far too high a starting dose for PMR alone.
Hi.Yes ,have Naproxen ,I will start to take it alongside my other pain relief.When I started with PMR,my gp wouldn't see me and phone appointments were rare.I was in so much pain and quite disabled and I got the feeling that the gp thought I was being a drama queen.Eventually and after much crying and pleading ,they let me speak to a locum who actually listened and immediately prescribed Pred.I was non the wiser,never having experienced this ,and just took the offered 60mgs,which was wonderful and helped within 4 hours.So that was the start. I wasn't experiencing any gca symptoms. I'll give it a few more days ,I think,and take on all of the advice given here, then ,if no improvement ,I'll just have to go to urgent care or casualty ,which I hate doing but needs must.Thanks.
I honestly don't recommend A&E at present - my daughter works there and says it is manic with VERY long waits for non-emergency cases and most of the patients she is seeing are pretty sick. I don't imagine sitting on an A&E waiting room chair will help either!There probably isn't a lot they can do other than what I have suggested: NSAIDs (with care since you are on pred) and heat. You may find alternating heat and icing helps - I can't cope with ice but some people can.
A doctor always used to say to me, rest for three days then slowly get back to normal, day by day.
I had a similar problem a while ago & went to a physio who did massage which helped then tried acupuncture which was brilliant! Good luck…I know how you feel!
Back pain and PMR 
PMR pain and Pain from damaged lumbar spine
Is it PMR pain if only right side
Hip pain 
Back pain
