Does acupuncture work?

[Vrissi]

Has anyone tried acupuncture for the relief of PMR pains, particularly in shoulders, aromas, neck , and if so did it work?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

It may help a little in certain circumstances -but as the pains are caused by the inflammation which is all part and parcel of PMR- it’s unlikely to provide any long benefit. The only thing that controls the inflammation is prednisolone (steroids).

If you are new to PMR -this link may give more more info -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Vrissi in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you very much , both you and PMRpro for your replies. I have also read through both your replies to other people and found them very helpful in understanding more about PMR.

Started thinking about acupuncture because pain at the moment is too much and have had acupuncture effectively for back years ago.

I was started on 12.5 prednisolone a year ago, kept reducing it as advised by doctor and am on 3mg for last 4-t weeks. But, in May/June I started having severe left should pain, neck pain and headaches and very shaking hands (and not only). Blood test didn’t show increased inflammation and I was referred to physio, neurology and rheumatology, and advised to continue reducing prednisone

Physio exercises haven’t helped and I was prescribed gababentin which I took for 3-4 weeks but it played havoc with my head, but the tremors reduced dramatically, although when I mentioned that to the physio, she did not seem to think it could have been due to the Gababentin. Rheumatologist decided it was bursitis and gave me steroid injection under US in September. Also said, the sooner I got off pred the better. Blood test then mustn’t have shown any change because I was never called back by rheumatology.

The injection has not helped. Neurology appointment (NHS) is not until Feb 23!

In the meantime I also had a CTS operation on right wrist but, although most of the CTS related symptoms have stopped, MRI had shown more problems with wrist and had 2 more steroid injections in late sep, which seemed to help after 5 weeks.

However, in last 4 weeks pains have increased very much, now affect whole left arm and right shoulder to elbow. Pain is continuous and severe, affects sleeping or doing anything, painful to lift arm/s to even brush my hair! I am having further blood test today before doctor decides what next!?

The right wrist pain has also increased tremendously, being right-handed makes even simple ordinary chores too taxing at times.

At the moment normal painkillers or codeine have no effect at all and ma getting pretty desperate!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Vrissi]

oh dear -that’s a catalogue of woe! Despite all your other issues -I would say that some of your pain (probably not all) is due to PMR and too low a lose of Pred…. which is confirmed by the fact that nothing else helps it.

Is your GP any more understanding about things - not sure you rheumatologist is helping you..and the fact that your blood markers weren’t raised doesn’t mean it isn’t PMR… many don’t have raised markers… and they may well have increased by now. Any chance of getting them checked at surgery?

Do you have enough prednisone try an increase in dose to see if that makes any difference?

[Vrissi in reply to DorsetLady]

thank you! I am having a blood test at the surgery and the doctor said he’ll phone me with results and diagnosis/forward plan. Unfortunately my normal GP is off on maternity and I feel the one standing in for her is putting off making decisions! He even dropped in the “degenerative process” factor although I pointed out all this started suddenly approx 18 months ago!it was not a gradual deterioration.

Anyway, I will wait for the blood results now. If doctor still says I must not increase pred, I think I’ll take PMRpro’s advice to previous questions and increase the dose for a short period anyway!

I also have a telephone appointment with the CTS surgeon/consultant to discuss right wrist issues.

Many thanks again to all for your responses.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Vrissi]

Have replied further down re another opinion

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Vrissi]

You are never reducing pred relentlessly to zero - you are looking for the lowest effective dose that deals with the daily new dose of inflammatory substances shed in the body in the early morning. I would suspect that you passed that dose long ago - and this is the PMR resurfacing because the dose is far too low to mop up the puddle of inflammation. Bursitis is a typical component of PMR, as it carpal tunnel syndrome.

Some people on pred at any dose don't mount the acute phase response which sends the markers up - some of us don't have raised markers at all - even with symptoms. I suspect your medical team doesn't really understand the vagaries of PMR though I suspect there are other factors involved too.

Where are you?

[Vrissi in reply to PMRpro]

Many tanks. I think, after the blood test results, I’ll take your advice to previous questions and increase the dose for a short period, even if the doctor says “no”. Your responses make much more sense than the dead end with doctor at present!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Vrissi]

Since you were considering acupuncture I wondered if you would consider at least one private appointment with a recommended rheumy - that's why I asked where you were. A second opinion often achieves a lot - but it has to be be with someone who really does know about PMR.

[Vrissi in reply to PMRpro]

yes, I would. I am in Oxfordshire

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Vrissi]

I would travel to Chertsey to Rod Hughes. He is a wide-thinking PMR expert who does private work.

If you ask in a separate post you may find recommendations closer, Oxford has been a bit of a desert in the past - it may have improved!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Vrissi]

Maybe send a message/chat to jinasc -she has info on “good” Rheumies …

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I know there are people on the forum who tried it and it didn't do anything for PMR. Others had tried it for specific things where it did work.

I do know that some of the trigger points seen in PMR coincide with meridians in acupuncture - my physio has commented on that when working on spasmed muscles at such trigger points so I do see how acupuncture could have an effect.

I think really it is something you have to try to find out but for PMR in general, I have my doubts,

[suzy1959]

Didn't help me at all!

[Vrissi in reply to suzy1959]

Thanks for letting me know. After the replies I received on this forum, I will give acupuncture a miss this time.

[piglette]

All acupuncture did for me was cost me money, but some people seem to have found relief.

[Freya32]

Vrissi,I have had aqupuncture in the past may times , it always worked very well for me.

I have had the most wonderul cchiropracror over the last 30 years

She is totally amazing.

But as soon as this strange thing....did notknoow then it was pmr.. had me immobile i was taken to her unable almost to walk, pain in neck ,, head,shoulders ,back wrists,hands, and she gave me both aqupunnctture and sonic treatment.

She would not manipulate my neck as she has done in the past as it was too rigid, she would take things gently.

The aqupuncture gave no relief at all. Only prednisolone has done that.

So even though we are each ofus unique i donot think acupuncture will help this severe infla m ation.

Happy to be proved wrong but would not want you to be disillusioned.

[Vrissi in reply to Freya32]

Many thanks for sharing this insight

[HeronNS]

I'd had acupuncture, from a physiotherapist, in the past for my neck and shoulders - have a lot of arthritis in my neck. It seemed to help, certainly did no harm. But I would not expect it to work for inflammation. Indeed the physio I received before PMR diagnosis was such a disaster I was left worse off. Only pred worked for PMR. That being said, once the inflammation is under control it's a really good idea to do whatever one can to maintain strength and flexibility as pred can have a weakening effect on our muscles. My current physiotherapist seems to understand PMR (she has a good friend who's a rheumatologist) and has done me a lot of good. No acupuncture, though!

[Vrissi in reply to HeronNS]

thank you!