PMR & Costochondritis

[HamishPMR]

Can these conditions be related.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I don't know - though if you look here

patient.info/forums/discuss...

you will see a link to a rare condition that suggests MAYBE they COULD be related! Amazing what I have found and written about in the past ...

[HamishPMR in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMRpro. I hope you have lovely alpine Christmas and New Year and thank you I 'm sure from all the subscribers for all the work that you do. Much appreciated!

[Plantingwithfaith in reply to PMRpro]

very much appreciated!

[SnazzyD]

I don’t know but it crops up a lot here.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

Do you remember the people complaining their ears hurt? I wonder if that is the link?

[alangg]

I was on Pred for PMR for nearly 3 years and I often had 'muscular' pains in my chest. Sometimes they were severe and other times I was just aware of discomfort but it didn't really affect me.

Scans, X-rays and examinations by medics couldn't find any reason for them so I went to see a private Physio and she suggested that, without knowing it, I might be using my chest muscles in a way that they are not accustomed to because PMR was making me rest my shoulder muscles etc.

That kind of made sense to me and since the PMR has gone and the pred has stopped, I haven't had those pains again.

[HamishPMR in reply to alangg]

Thank you for that, have a nice Christmas.

[Blearyeyed]

Both PMR and costochondritis are classed as inflammatory conditions and seem to appear quite commonly in our community. This could be linked to the autoinflammatory and Autoimmune nature of PMR but the pathways of this are still being established.

It certainly isn't unusual for one chronic illness to cause a flare in another, or for the effects of a chronic illness to cause us to develop another condition be it chronic or acute.

The upside is that although it isn't the first line treatment for costochondritis Prednisone can be used to treat this painful inflammation between the ribs as well because the usual medication of NSAIDs is better avoided if possible while taking steroids. Although the usual form of steroid for costochondritis is via injection , as you are already taking oral steroids this should help the condition as well. The change in the way you move , or hold your posture from inactivity or while protecting yourself from increased shoulder pain can trigger it , as can a viral infection or other conditions causing inflammation like arthritis.

Discussing it with your GP you may find it beneficial to use " sick Day rules" and increase the Pred for 7-14 days at the beginning of costochondritis to help treat it , and prevent it from causing a flare up in your PMR. Then the best course is rest , choosing a well cushioned sleeping position with the head and shoulders raised , breathing exercises , hydration and heat pads and paracetamol if required . Over exercise can make it worse it can take about three months for the low level gnawing pain to totally leave the chest area after a flare of costochondritis especially if you take it too fast too early.

Costochondritis can also cause a flare in nerve pain and trapped wind and acid reflux.

[HamishPMR in reply to Blearyeyed]

thank you so much for your advice have a lovely Christmas

[Blearyeyed in reply to HamishPMR]

And the same to you , enjoy it and take care , Bee

[Bronni]

I had costochondritis 3 times during my 6 year journey with pmr - so maybe related. It always always seemed to occur after vigorous arm activity. Swimming & cleaning 🙄! I upped the pred a bit to deal with it, otherwise it lasted painfully for months.

[HamishPMR in reply to Bronni]

thank you for that have a great Christmas