Flare

[Carathedog]

Hi,

I’m currently trying to control a flare before I go on holiday in 10days.

I was on 7.5, upped to 12, the pains are gradually getting worse day by day, do I need to increase more.

Many thanks

[SheffieldJane]

What are your symptoms?

How long have you been on 12 mgs?

Did you wait a while before you addressed the flare?

Have you ever been mostly symptom free?

How long have you had PMR?

These questions will help us to advise more precisely.

[Carathedog in reply to SheffieldJane]

I take my pred at 2am, by 5am my pains are in my neck, shoulders, buttocks, arms and legs. By the time I get up about 9.30, it is only, arms, buttocks and legs. As the day goes on, arms get easier, but the rest stays the same.

I’ve been on 12 for six days now, I only waited about three days, before I took 12.5. I had just had sciatica and a trip to Centre Parcs.

I’ve had PMR for approximately two and a half years, but my markers have never been raised.

I have

[SheffieldJane in reply to Carathedog]

That is helpful. It shows that it is not behaving like PMR and that you may well have something else going on, perhaps related to the sciatica you experienced.

Also you have given yourself a 10 day deadline, that adds stress doesn’t it? Are you generally doing too much and not allowing your muscles to heal?

[Carathedog in reply to SheffieldJane]

Maybe doing too much, difficult to balance things

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Are you sure it is a PMR flare? Have you done anything different recently? I'm a bit concerned that the symptoms are increasing on 12 - which isn't quite "add 5" and 1/2mg CAN make a difference.

[Carathedog in reply to PMRpro]

I wondered about the extra half

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Same questions/comments as others…plus are getting more stressed because you flared just before holiday? Silly question probably…

Are you sure it’s not a result of recent sciatica ?

[Carathedog in reply to DorsetLady]

My concern is that it’s getting worse, and because of arms and neck, I had kinda ruled out sciatica

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Carathedog]

Sounds like the sort of back muscle problems I develop and oral pred isn't the ideal management, a more targeted approach is better.

[Carathedog in reply to PMRpro]

what would you suggest re pred

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Carathedog]

Difficult to say - what options do you have? Is access to a physiotherapist possible? I would try a bit more pred for a few days, if it doesn't help you can drop straight back.

[Carathedog in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, I have an exercise sheet from a recent physio which I can try, see what happens