Muscle pain and aches

[Alan7690]

I’ve had PMR since 2017 and been fairly stable. Some large flares but always got it back under control, but in the last few weeks I’ve been getting muscle ache/pain in my upper arms, shoulders and hands. It’s like a really bad cramp but not a cramp. Tried to get a doctors appointment to see them but can only get a telephone one which is normal for my GP’s but no help.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Not sure what dose you are on at the moment …but if you don’t think it’s your PMR flaring again [although it does sound suspiciously like the areas that are affected] it could adrenals stuttering. Maybe have a look at this link -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Have you done anything in the last few weeks that might have affected your shoulders/neck?

Does surgery have eConsult facility? See here if not sure -

econsult.net/nhs-patients

Just seen you’ve recently started new BP medication - have you checked information leaflet in case it’s a side effect?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The telephone appointments are triage - you should get a f2f if they consider you need to be examined.

Tell us a bit more about your current dose and how you got there.

I've read your other posts - the stress won't be helping and can be enough to cause a flare. And you are obviously worrying about your BP - relax about that and it will improve. Taking readings at home will be better than the GP, you won't have white coat syndrome once you get the hang of it. I have strail fibrillation - I measure it 3 times with a min or two between and average them. Don't do it when you've been rushing around or you are watching the footy (or whatever your poison is), sit quietly beforehand, don't take it when you are sitting with your legs crossed (it raises your BP). I do mine in the morning before getting up and at night and occasionally in the day if its been messing around. At the hospital it can be silly - it is absolutely fine most of the time at home. It is perfectly normal for it to vary through the day so just keep a bit of a record to tell the GP. If it looks fine over a few weeks he'll lose interest too! But it is also important to know if it goes too low as the pred dose goes down - it raises BP as a side effect.

We're here to help with sensible founded advice - you'll be fine.

[Alan7690]

Thanks for the replies. I’m currently on 8mg Pred and been on that for nearly a year after a flare and its been ok. Done nothing that may have caused this that I can think of. I’ve been on the BP meds since early Dec and checked the symptoms and this is not listed as one and my BP is coming down with the average fairly stable day to day. Maybe it is a flare again and just me thinking it’s not as normally it also hits my hips and neck but this has not and feels more like a muscle cramp. I’m sure the surgery have eConsult facility I’ll look. Really appreciate the help and support from you all.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Alan7690]

If you think it is muscle crampy in nature - try magnesium supplements or Epsom salts in your bath or as a footbath,

[cycli in reply to Alan7690]

Hi Alan6790. Good advice on BP. It sounds to me like PMR doing its bit of holding back on your muscles getting enough oxygen. This would make muscles contract and hold lactic acid. Only a theory and one we are going to look into with the research project we inthend to carry out. Pred also prevents muscles getting necessary nutrients for rebuilding. Pred. induced myopathy also is a serious contender for study of its effects. All included in our project. Read up as much as you can. No answers yet but hoping. Keep strong