Have reduced to 3.5mg Pred. Could the sharp pain in my back be my adrenals kicking in?

[Lilly-Gee]

I have slowly tapered my Pred down to 3.5 mg over nearly two years from 20 mg.

Going well most of the time. However I have a sharp stabbing pain a bit to the left of my spine just below my ribs. It doesn’t feel muscular. It’s been getting stronger and more frequent. It can be when I am sitting, walking, sleeping etc at random times. Could it be my adrenal gland? The frequency and intensity has increased as my dosage decreased. I am off to the doctor later in the month but thought I would ask if anyone has had a similar experience?

[123-go]

A quick online search has shown up a number of possible causes that could be related to your symptoms but I don't feel that an attempt at self-diagnosis is at all appropriate. If I were you I would bring my GP appointment forward particularly as your symptoms are becoming more frequent and worsening. Please stress the extent of your symptoms to whoever you speak to.

Let us know how things go.

[Lilly-Gee in reply to 123-go]

thank you for your reply, my Doctor is away but I only have 2 weeks to wait to see him.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Adrenal function does not "kick in" - it returns slowly. However, back pain can be a symptom of adrenal insufficiency. I have seen it claimed, I don't know if it is true, that it can also lead to nerve irritation causing tight and painful back muscles.

At what dose did it start? I would slow the taper down - the lower the slower! And speak to the doctor sooner rather than later if that is possible although as it has been going on for some time it is unlikely to be classed as an emergency.

And as the others have said - there are other causes for back pain.

[Lilly-Gee in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, for your reply PMRPro, it started at about 5 mg. I am just looking for any experiences with this so I can ask the right questions when I get to the doctor. I have been going very slowly and following the slow taper recommended here. He also supports that and has been happy for me to follow it.. This pain has become more intense but it’s just a few weeks to wait (Dr is on holidays) and it is random, not there all the time. Probably two or three times a day it just pings me when I am not expecting it. Thanks 🙏

[Whittlesey in reply to PMRpro]

I was on methylprednisone for almost 5 years for GCA and PMR. The last year, after tapering from 100mgs to 1 mg, I stayed on methylpred at a dosage of 1mg for year - maintenance- I have had flares, since and I take 15mgs a day for 4 days, then taper down to 2 mgs then off.

After my 2nd hip replacement in 2017, back pain and spasms began. Over the next 2 years and now, the pain has increased , quite a bit. Getting up is extremely painful, and I do have times of immobility, due to my back .

Phy therapy before the cv19 -- situation, was helpful.

Have not yet resumed. I do the exercises and use essential oils on my back.

I use baclophen and to tramadol for the pain and spasms.

MRI shows some disc problems, some compression, worn facet joints and left sided scoliosis at T9.

Have more appointments upcoming.

Did not realize the adrenal resumption, after ending the pred, might cause some of this pain.

Physiatrist said he was not sure what was causing this, and to be so severe.

Phys therapist, who was a Reiki practitioner, said she believed a point of extreme inflammation was causing this, to the whole cascade of symptoms. It seems to begin in the left inguinal area ( have meralgia paresthetica--, left).

She would begin the massage there, -- at the end of the first session, the pain was almost gone.

It returned 3 days later.

I follow her methods and can almost get a similar result.

Sometimes the pain, in the a.m. comes around to my front ribs -- with a little trouble breathing. Movement and yoga breathing -- most of the time help this subside.

Any advice, ideas of causation, and/or treatment, or information, greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

All my best, sending pos thoughts of healing to everyone. Best, Lynn

[Lilly-Gee in reply to Whittlesey]

thanks for sharing I might give massage a go

[Whittlesey in reply to Lilly-Gee]

Yes, Lilly -- that and a hot heating pad, or towel help quite a bit. When the physical therapist used reiki, she amazingly was able to find the - first and worst area of pain in my thigh. When she had finished the massage on my back, the pain was beginning to subside.

She said when large areas, such as a back, were affected, if the point of infection or inflammation could be found -- that should be the starting point -- for treatment.

Helped quite a bit.

I hope you feel better, Lilly and that you get some relief. Best, Lynn

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Whittlesey]

If you really want others to comment you would be better posting this as a new thread - this a relatively old thread and only a few of us who followed it originally will see your comment

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Whittlesey]

If you are having flares, and Pred is helping then, then could be PMR is still there. Albeit not significantly..but it does need further investigation I think.

Agree with PMRpro, a new post would be sensible.

[Seacat30]

If you believe that this might actually be pain IN an adrenal gland rather than an effect of adrenal reawakening (or failure to so so) on your body I think you should chase that up with your doctor ASAP. It doesn't sound like quite the right place to me. There are other possibilities in that location and you should seek medical advice to work out what is going on.

[Lilly-Gee in reply to Seacat30]

Thanks Seacat30 all advice accepted with gratitude 😊 this site is my first point for information I like to get as much info as I can before I see my doctor. He is very good but much of his thoroughness is because I ask him all the right questions from experiences I have discovered here. Thanks again 🙏

[123-go]

I see. You know your own body and if you think you can wait two weeks, so be it. However, please be attentive to your symptoms and if necessary I would advise that you call your health direct helpline. Take care.