PMR flare or not.

[Toenti]

hi every one, I am at the moment in Barcelona. I’ve had a bad stomach upset which has mostly cleared up. But because I was laid up in bed for a couple of days, which caused a bad case of sciatica.

Yesterday I had a visit to a good chiropractor here and today again. Beside having the sciatic pain, my back, trunk and belly muscles are hurting so much that I don’t know what to do. Painkillers do nothing. Therefore I am beginning to wonder if I am having a giant PMR flare. Would it be wise to increase my dose of 5mg( have been on preds for 7 years) and if so, by how much. i would hate to go back to square one, as the higher doses of pred. Played havoc with me.

Please, any thoughtfull advise would be welcome.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

hi,

Sorry to hear this, and if you are certain it’s a flare then follow the advice in this link -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

…but as it trunk that is more affected than usual shoulders, upper arms, hips, legs it doesn’t sound a typical PMR flare. ..but if ordinary painkillers don’t help, have to say not really sure.

[Toenti in reply to DorsetLady]

thanks for responding!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If you were that unwell you should possibly have raised your pred in line with Sick Day Rules (you'll find them in the FAQs) - but it is only for a few days to allow your body the chance to recover. Were you vomiting? That could cause the abdominal muscles to be pretty sore.

[Toenti in reply to PMRpro]

I believe you are right. Next time I get that unwel I will increase my preds for a few days.Thank you for your advise. Unable to move, lie down, sit down, makes it hard think straight. Now just trying to cope with the pain. Thanks again.

[SnazzyD]

It is normal to feel you have been spending days in the gym if you have been vomiting. Was this the case?

[Toenti in reply to SnazzyD]

no vomiting involved. Thanks for your thoughts.

[PRL1957]

It is just a thought, but did your 'stomach upset' make you vomit? Could you have sicked up any prednisolone tablets before the dose was absorbed?

[Toenti in reply to PRL1957]

No, I did not vomit. My whole digestive tract decided to stop everything. Thanks for your response.