Full back pain

[Kingfan]

After 4and a half years of good and bad I have been doing really well. Am on 3 mg. past week I have had pain in all muscles in my back, shoulders to lower back, pain when I breath deeply. Painkillers not worked, tried upping pred to 5 mg but no effect. I have never experienced this before, could it be a flare? or something else altogether? Heat works and staying still for too long makes it worse. So that's why I suspect pmr but didn't think it could affect this area. Any suggestions?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Sounds as if it is possibly myofascial pain syndrome - which can be part of PMR. Have you done anything in the last few weeks that could upset your back? Can be as simple as lifting something awkwardly or tripping and trying to save yourself from falling.

If it is just a PMR flare, upping the pred from 3 to 5 is unlikely to be enough, the standard is to increase by 5mg for up to 2 weeks before dropping back to the previous good dose.

[Kingfan in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, I was pottering, just potting in the garden two weeks ago and felt a twinge in my back. That's all! Have just read up on myofascial and not sure that's this as no actual pain from pressure more from movement. Thank you I will up pred to 10 mg and see how I go. Thank you for such a quick response.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Kingfan]

Oh yes - SO easy to turn wrong, really doesn't take much. I know from experience. My last bad episode I didn't quite sit down in the driver's seat but toppled the last couple of inches. Result a few days later was excruciating!

[SnazzyD]

Did it come on suddenly or build up? Is there any focus of pain or is it the same all over the back? Do you have any other symptoms of any sort?

[Kingfan in reply to SnazzyD]

It's the same all over and very painful when moving ie. getting up from a chair.Also hurts when sitting still, it's exhausting. Never had anything like this before. No other symptoms. Having been feeling so good thought I was coming to the end 😟

[SnazzyD in reply to Kingfan]

I notice from your reply to PMRPro you used the G word, gardening. When you move, which area on the back shouts the loudest? It will be interesting if the 10mg makes a difference.

[borednow]

I've got/had this. SO painful. Found amazing Chiropractor and 3 sessions on we're slowly getting there. Didn't increase preds as I don't think it's PMR related- still on 2mg. Feel better soon Kingfan

[Dani1963]

That happened to me 2 yrs ago and I discovered that I had 2 compressions fractures in my spine. I had developed Osteoporosis due to the prednisone and didn't know until a bone density test revealed it. Not much dr could do for the fractures. Just lots of rest and heat pad. I would have your dr do x-rays. Sending you good thoughts and lots of healing energy!

[YorkieShowBreed]

I have a similar pain in the lower left side of my back also. I was on a plane to Los Angeles and we had a very bad touchdown on the tarmac. I felt fine when I got up from my seat but the next day when I got out of bed my back was sore as heck. It’s ruined my vacation with my daughter but she bought me a heating pad and it is helping a lot. Everything was going great until this happened. I hope I don’t have the same thing happen on the flight back to Atlanta. Good luck to you and I hope you get better soon.

[Kingfan in reply to YorkieShowBreed]

I have upped my pred by 5mg and that has made a big difference. I now have pain but it is more localised at the centre of my back which I am using heat pads for. I feel it must have been a combination of inflammation and an injury and the steroids are dealing with the inflammation. This has been going on for over a week now so I am now coping better. Thanks to everyone for your support.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Kingfan]

Good to hear -and don’t be in any rush to decrease Pred. Hope the back pain soon clears.