Hi,
Anyone else suffer from sore rib cage? Seems to start from the big muscle under the arms and go down the ribs on both sides. On 7mg pred at the moment. Also sometimes my shoulder seems to spasm. Not sure if this is another variation of PMR or something else.
I have something in the same general location, but toward my dorsal side (my back). I also have LVV / extracranial GCA, so that could possibly specific to that.
Definitely can't help you with the shoulder spasms. I do, though, think spams are usually muscular (i.e., strain, overuse ...).
I used to get the spasms and pain across the shoulder blades which deferred pain to the base of my spine. This would happen whenever I tried to reduce predisolone. Since this was interfering with my reduction programme my Rheumy referred me to the Pain Management department at hospital. I have since had a couple of scan led medial block injections (six at a time across base of neck and shoulder blades) which have helped tremendously to eliminate spasms and reduce pain. Effects of the injections can vary though.
Thanks Marilyn. That’s interesting as I am reducing at the moment too. Something to think about and discuss with Rheumatologist.
Its funny you should ask this, i am on a tapering plan ,i do the Dorset lady one, tried many times but have to say i find hers the best so far ! A short while ago before my taper my ribcage started to really ache, It hurts when i breath in a certain way or move round to quickly ! If you can believe i can 😜 . I feel i have been shallow breathing because of the pain. I am now down to 7/5 8 mgs and i find i am starting to breath better. There is a lot of info about lungs/ breathing on Pred .Im glad i looked it up as was starting to worry. Fingers crossed the lower we go this will get better . Good luck Viv🌷
I got sore ribs on one side after having a mammogram during which the mammographer twisted me to get me in the right position. I felt like my ribs were bruised. It lasted for about a week afterwards. Have you been twisting at all?
Note my diagnosis is Stills Disease which for me manifests as RA with joint pain and swelling.My ribs hurt after hoovering or ironing and I think it’s the weight pull on that side that starts it. Other than that if I get the slightest touch of a cold or chilled by being out in the cold the ache abominably.
I had Stills disease as a young child and I can remember the pain of it. Thankfully I recovered with no ill effects but at the age of 29 I had a bout of Uveitis which I have suffered with every since. I am now 76. It is treatable again with steroids (drops) and I know when a bout threatens to get on them right away. It is thought this is down to the Stills I had all those years ago.
Oh my goodness another Stills Disease sufferer! We are rare and that’s why I’m on this forum due to many overlapping conditions related to AI illnesses. I was diagnosed at 17 after 6 months bedridden and unable even to lift a glass of water to take my medication. Diagnosis was grim, wheelchair bound for life but I’m now 60 and have been drug free since mid 20’s (apart from pain relief) and have lived a full life allowing for the restrictions of my joints.I have associated AI conditions like LS and IC plus some horrid skin growth and torso rash but without doubt the worst thing is the unremitting sore throat which was the herald of the disease.
I’ve never had a full flare since the start but instead have all over pain and stiffness restricting movements and activities but am thankful that’s all.
Recently it was suggested I may have some organ damage from chronic Stills but unless anything happens I’m ignoring that for now although I’m prepared for more as I get older.
If I understand your reply you are free of Stills with no lasting effects which is very good to hear.
Keep well.
Interesting - one of the more permanent hallmarks of my PMR has been a sore throat. Do they know why?
It’s a mystery and I’ve been checked for throat cancer and all sorts but its a constant pain and worsens when my joints hurt as does the LS and rash.Jmiller mentioned that probably needed to be controlled by a holding steroid dose but I’ve yet to see a GP for a referral. May as well wait until there’s less people in the queue.....
Yes,free of Stills. As I had the child version it is perhaps stronger in the adult version. It was worrying for my parents at the time as Polio was around then and it was thought that was what I had. I recovered but my knees were very sore for quite some time. It was only when I was age 29 that through investigation into my iritis the hospital I was attending said that Stills disease was the culprit. I often wonder now, if this is also now how my PMR raised its head. I have been a sufferer for six years now and it’s git a grip. Some days better than others.
Yes mine was classified as Adult Onset as I was 17.I worry it may preempt PMR is why I value the information shared across these sites.
Sorry you’re suffering x
Sore and not sure...
Sore feet
Sore back 
Sore throat. 
