Can overdoing it cause a flair

[Jontie]

I've been doing fine on 3mg for a while. I'm a gardener and was hedge cutting a low but wide hedge last Tuesday. Bending over, arms outstretched welding a heavy petrol hedge cutter. Bad idea on reflection. That evening I had bad back ache and since then it's got worse rather than better. I can literally barely move today. I'm writing this lying in bed and dreading trying to get out of bed as it's agony. Paracetamol, ibrufen and even codeine hasn't helped. I've just taken 15mg pred as I'm thinking I might have triggered a flair. Not been this bad since 5 years ago when I had my diagnosis. So, would you agree that this is likely to be a flair? And is 15mg about the right dose? Thanks

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Oops! Easily done though…gardening has a lot to answer for on this forum 😳

You probably don’t need as much as 15mg -but enjoy today -but don’t go mad!

Have you used painkillers or heat/cold therapy on back?

Have a look at this link, explains how to deal with flare -and adjust doses to your own circumstances-

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Jontie in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks DL. Yes I've used pain killers which haven't helped. Heat does soothe the pain. I'll read the link you sent. How long will the increased dose take to work, assuming this is a flair.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Jontie]

Anything between 5-10 days -depending on how much inflammation has built up - but you should notice an improvement fairly quickly

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Has the 15mg helped? It sounds more like your back muscles are in spasm - myofascial pain syndrome rather than the PMR itself.

How much ibuprofen have you taken? I find I need 800mg as a flooding dose to get any effect - and then sitting with heat over the most painful spots usually gets me mobile in a few days. However - this last episode has been really difficult to sort out.

[Jontie in reply to PMRpro]

Hi PMRpro. I only took the 15mg a few hours ago - out of desperation really. I previously increased by the usual 5mg for 2 days but that didn't help. I've been taking 2 paracetamol and 2 ibrufen together but I've not noticed a difference. Today I tried 30mg codeine (which I had left over from my prediagnosis pain 5 years ago.) That hasn't helped either. It was 4 hours ago so I've just taken another 60mg. Fingers crossed that will help!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jontie]

If it is "injury" then it may take a bit of time, I ended up in A&E on 2 occasions with something similar - not even the excuse of having been gardening, happened when I tried to get out of bed! The first time A&E here was good - German-speaking doctors admitted me for their wonder-treatment although it also triggered atrial fibrillation so that was a bit interesting. The second time the Italian doctor used a tramadol infusion which didn;t really achieve a lot but I also had a (German-speaking) rheumy appointment that morning and he sorted it out!

[Sophiestree]

I am just reading your post this morning and sadly am not surprised by what you have written.I have had similar experiences with both my late mother's care and my late husband.

You have SO much to deal with, and like you, I have an only child and feel guilty about how much they take on. But you need to push for the right package which you think is best. If you are able to take someone with you I would insist on speaking to someone regarding his post hospital care and what they plan to do, pointing out the terrible pain he is in and that it just you at home and how younfeelmyou I would also want to officially complain but can totally see how that might be too much right now, but you might want to start jotting things down as a reminder just in case.

How good are your GPs. Can they help at all?

[Sophiestree]

Sorry I accidentally pressed send when I was checking my terrible typing.I was trying to say that you must stress it's all on you and that you too are dealing with health issues and you feel that they are just pushing him out before there is a correct package in place.

Maybe moving him to a different ward is a good thing and you can approach that ward with a pleading view that you really need help in what happens next.

[cherrysteps]

I am in a similar position, diagnosed with PMR 5 years ago, have a couple of flares, got down to 2mg and stopped due to very swollen leg and unable to walk, sat with ice packs codeine and parecetemol for four weeks. Have had knee x-ray shows oseoarthritis and badly worn, for the first time in five years my blood is normal. Codeine and parecetemol do not seem strong enough to combat the pain. Doctor appointments are three weeks away cannot even get a phone call, pain has increased to all joints and I do not know what to take.

[Jontie in reply to cherrysteps]

That sounds awful. So disheartening as you got so low on the pred. I increased my dose from 3mg to 15mg and after 4 days I'm feeling a bit better. Someone also suggested high strength voltarol gel and I've applied that topically. It is probably the pred that's helped rather than the gel, but I'll continue with the gel for a week. Hope you get some relief soon.

[Janetknit]

Is it possible that you have fractures in your spine? I was abruptly lay out in the same way as you describe with no meds helping at any level including pred. Just a thought, when you were holding your trimmer above your head , the pressure on a weakened vertebrae could have fractured it or compressed it. A trip to hospital might clarify everything.

[Jontie in reply to Janetknit]

Thank you

[Janetknit in reply to Jontie]

You are welcome, hope you’re able to find out what’s happening and given help and relief soon!