My Rheumy put me onto Leflunomide instead of Prednisolone a few years ago. During Lock-down I had a sudden recurrence of PMR symptoms but couldn't obtain help from my Rheumy. Then the symptoms started to disappear and a most peculiar thing happened. I was sitting at the computer when I experienced an electric experience - almost like I had an electric cord inside me. As I sat, I felt this surge of electricity move along the path of a cord from below my navel and slowly up my body until it reached somewhere between my top ribs. The sensation completely disappeared and I quietly sat, waiting for something to happen - such as the PMR pains to return. But nothing happened. I knew that the PMR had gone and I have never had any symptoms of it since.
I have never mentioned it to my Rheumy as he is not the most personable character and I didn't want to be characterised as a hysterical/weird patient. In fact, I've never mentioned it to anyone as I'm sure this is unusual and I wouldn't want anyone to think that you have to experience a shot of electricity to show that you don't have PMR anymore.
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43tripandskip
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I've never had anything like it before or since, so I can't predict how it came about. Yes, I agree, it would be a good way of ending PMR. It would be quite a fanfare of an event if that happened.
Yes, I'm still on Leflunomide and likely to stop in March at my next Rheumy appointment. The feeling of electricity wasn't sharp but steady. It was most weird.
Yes, I agree. I really thought it would be a sign of PMR coming back with a vengeance. So I sat still and waited..and waited...and nothing happened. It was all very strange
So strange mine was a different feeling , i was sitting reading and out of the blue had what can only be described as an electric shock through my elbow ! I jumped and shouted out !! Think my OH thought id lost the plot ! Then they kept coming in short sharp shocks , allover my body in my joints .Horrible feeling . Put up with it for 2 days then went to the DR.That was the start of My PMR journey. It was 3 years ago lm happy to say they did not come back. But i did take ages to believe they had gone , because it was a horrible sensation .
That's truly extraordinary! Your experience sounds most unpleasant. Thank you for sharing your symptoms. Who knows, one day scientists might find a reason for these strange happenings.
I have never heard of that experience heralding the end of PMR or GCA. I had a strange feeling whilst on higher doses of pred and methotrexate. It felt like I had been plugged into a socket at the back of my head. I had a fizzy, electrical current sensation from my head to my feet! I am no longer on Methotrexate but like you, I am on leflumonide. Thankfully I no longer have these sensations. So glad to hear you are free of PMR. Keep well and Happy New Year.
Fascinating. Well we are electro-magnetic beings! And too much electricity needs to be balanced by earthing and grounding. That is one of the reasons we are encouraged to walk barefoot and get into nature. In fact "earthing" is recommended for reducing auto-immune conditions. We spend far too much time around electricity - computers/cars etc. so maybe you had a big discharge! I have had an electrical charge that crops up on my right scapula from time to time. Of course the nervous system is very much involved here too and links into the energetic approach of the Chinese and Indian healing systems.
I have had zaps before - a sudden, electric-like jolt, usually located around my spine, but causing my whole to jump a little. I always just associated it with meds or my many conditions. It was never reason enough to bring it up with any medical personnel though.
Yeah, to be honest, I'm kinda used to it by now. Googling it doesn't seem to bring up much (mostly about anxiety). Might want to mention it to your medical provider. If nothing else, they can probably set your mind at ease.
To be honest, I'm so glad to be rid of PMR that it doesn't bother me. It's just nice to be able to share experiences with one another. Thanks for replying,
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Update on GCA ‘flare’
Pain in my hands since, possibly, reaching 0mg Pred
Plaquenil for treating PMR
Anyone else on here got PMR in their 50s?
GP 9 Rheumatologist 0
