Thoughts on my pain issue

[jsretaw]

I was diagnosed in Jan 2021 with PMR and have dropped from 20 mg prednisone to 4mg. Initially I had pain in many places. for the past 3-4 months I only have issues with pain or tightness in my pelvis/hips and shoulders. My last visit to my Rheumy on May 2nd I was trying to get to 3.5 mg and was not doing well with the pelvis and shoulders. My blood markers were good and my rheumy suggested that the issues I was having now could be more related to osteo arthritis which I have had xrays in the past that show this. She suggested I try some Physical Therapy and I have done that for a few weeks with some improvement but still have issues squatting or getting to a kneeling position and raising arms above shoulders.

So yesterday I had lithotripsy surgery (blasted stone with ultrasound waves) for a kidney stone and a stent inserted into my kidney. I was released and give a prescription for oxycodone 10mg/325 mg aceteminophen. I took this medicine 3 times from lunch to bedtime yesterday.

So Late last night and this morning all my pelvis and shoulder pain is gone. I haven't taken any meds today other than my 4 mg of prednisone and still pain free at 2 pm . I wouldn't think the pain med would keep me pain free for 24 hours but something has sure turned the pain around. Would PMR pain react to oxy/acetimonphen that well? It surprised me and makes me think that perhaps I no longer have PMR pain?

Thoughts?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It doesn't usually respond to ordinary painkillers so that might suggest his "it's OA" is at least partly right. Difficult to say though isn't it. I'd say wait and see what happens next, I find that sometimes if I break the circle of pain with a not massive dose of painkillers it will last for 24 hours

However - our local rehab department uses an adapted version of lithotripsy for soft tissue problems. I wonder if that has poked something else besides the kidney stone? Now if that turned out to be that helpful ...

[jsretaw in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks Pro, I had not thought of that.

[jsretaw]

Thanks Dad2Cue, I have had a history of stones. My first one wouldn't pass and they went up the ureter and got it. I have passed two or three since this one, but the urologist said it was 11mmx6mm about the size of his thumbnail and it wasn't going to pass on it's own. The pain when they try to move is the worst I have ever experienced. It puts me down. He put a stent in me after crushing the stone and my body doesn't like it at all. The pain is a lot like a stone.

I will do as Pro said and wait to see how this progresses. I am sure your comment is valid that the brain can only process so much pain at any given time. I hope this is the last stone for both of us.

I am hopeful I will learn something re pain management from this and get better relief from PMR and OA going forward.

[Hidden]

A hearty thank you to the volunteers. I am very grateful, because without them it would have been difficult for me to negotiate the different phases of PMR. I had never heard of it before and Health Unlocked has been of great help in giving advice re: the problems caused by it and the side effects of the steroids. Without the volunteers and if course other contributors to Health Unlocked it would have been a bewildering and depressing journey. I cannot thank the volunteers enough for their sensible and informed advice, that has helped me so much. Thank you, thank you, what would we do without you. You are truly wonderful.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Did you mean to post this here - or on Fran Benson's volunteers post? I'm sure this sort of thing has happened a few times - people's replies ending up somewhere else!

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Dear PMR,

Thank you, I have now posted a copy to Fran Benson. I wondered where the original went. Silly me ! By the way, as you are one of the volunteers, I can't thank you enough for all your help, you're doing an excellent job, helping us through this.

[PMR2011]

When you had surgery did they give you anesthesia? If so, the anesthetists are usually very good about giving a dose of stress steroids which can make a huge difference. When I had intestinal surgery (probably more involved than kidney stone) I was blissfully PMR pain free for 3 days and I chalked it up to the methylpred they gave me in the OR (on top of my daily dose). The other thought is, if it’s osteoarthritis the oxy could be taking care of it. In any case, enjoy it!

[jsretaw in reply to PMR2011]

Thanks for your reply, they did put me out so that is a possibility too.

[cranberryt]

I haven’t read all the replies so forgive me! It’s possible that you were given a high dose of prednisone during the surgery as well. They often do that as a precaution for those on steroids. Even for my colonoscopy, the doctor put prednisone into my IV with instructions to not take it that day. If the pain continues to stay away with the other pain meds, maybe you can taper a little more quickly. But beware the adrenals have their own pace in restarting.

[jsretaw in reply to cranberryt]

I appreciate your input.

[jsretaw]

They did not check this one yet but an earlier one was calcium based if I remember correctly.