I have had PMR for nearly seven years and have been on prednisolone for six and a half.
I seem to be beyond adrenal problems as fatigue symptoms which have been an issue since 8mg are now barely there at 2.5mg.
BUT my elbows and thumbs are really quite painful. Paracetamol and voltarol gel do not help. Right elbow and right thumb are particularly bad, but I am right handed and have taken up bowls very competitively in the last year.
I have never had these symptoms before (except tennis elbow from tennis 25 years ago)
My original PMR symptoms, (neck, shoulder, lower back) are no problem ATM.
Might this be a different manifestation of PMR? And therefore adding 5mg to my present dose for a few days could be worth a try? Or are these symptoms unlikely to be PMR linked? And just because I am six years older.
Written by
Mary63
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Google pointed me at Bowler's Thumb which is caused by pressure on the ulnar nerve. Have you considered that? Not sure if it relates to the type of bowls you play.
I don’t think it’s that Seacat as the thumb pains are bilateral and at the upper side of thumb, not in the web between thumb and forefinger. Thanks for your input though. It is helping to narrow it down.
Probably a combination of all the things you suggest…..but hands do seem to be a factor for many people in a flare - there seem to have been quite a few posts about it over the last month or so.
The fact that ordinary painkillers don’t help suggests PMR- and maybe the repetitive action of bowling isn’t helping…
..so to that end would agree treat it as flare (higher dose 7-10 days) - and reduce back to 3mg rather than 2.5mg…that might have been a drop too low. 0.5mg can make a real difference in such low doses. Maybe stay at that level for bit longer than usual as well.
Hands are a feature of a flare for me - especially at the base of my thumbs and my wrist - using my hands much always makes them hurt and even worse if I am hatching a flare. The thought of bowls just makes me cringe.
Maybe just be careful how often you play/practice -consecutive days may be an issue - or too much on one day. All a matter of pacing yourself..and working out what you can and can’t do.
In past year, my largest joints in thumbs have been so painful. Any time I aggravate my system, be it physical exertion or mental stress, my joints flare. The size of my joints have increased, and arthritis surely owns some of the responsibility. In my early years of PMR, it was my wrists, shoulders and elbow joints. Now it's hands.
I think I have post-Covid syndrome...lots of symptoms look like it, but docs don't seem able /willing to definitely say..... also...at nearly 76 age, my arthritis is chugging along irrespective of all this other stuff. However...the alternative to all this aging/illness stuff is......well...dead. So I guess I'll continue to deal with it. 💜🌸💜
Sounds like plain old osteoarthritis (not fun but sometimes inevitable) Probably from playing the game you are playing. Tylenol should help. what is the game Bowls? Hope you are feeling much better soon! Good to see a sports doc or PT.
A bowling ball (sized to fit size of hand and weight to suit own weight and height ). Big tall man….heavier bowls. It’s mainly played outside on grass. Bowl has a bias to it so it curves. Practice necessary to improve skill. Hence I may have done too much. Normal painkillers including paracetamol (tylenol?) and Co codamol help not at all though, so I will see how I go with 5mg more pred. Though I recognise that might get rid of osteoarthritis pain anyway. Had first higher dose today, and I will see what happens.
Seen the physio. As I thought the bowling action is not painful, but picking up the bowls, pushing the ball collecting trolley, lifting kettle driving the car, hoovering, all are reverse actions and really do hurt. SOO the plan is to try to do as many of those things as I can left handed, and continue to bowl but never two days running. And hope that the thumb pain is beginnings of a PMR flare which will be helped by increased dose. Ice, stretches, etc.I will keep you posted…..
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