Suffering thru...

[Poodleshrimp]

Well, hello you guys, all of your info is So helpful. In the last 6 months I had blood clots in my lungs, so now I'm on heart meds. I have never had a heart problem, so to say I was scared to death, is an understatement. I wonder if my being on prednisone for nearly two years caused this. I still see a rheumatologist, which really was no help. I go to accupunctue for the pain in my upper arms, and recently back pain, which is believed to be sciatic, but I don't work or do any lifting. My hands are stiff ,and My thumbs are mostly numb all of the time, all of the pain and stiffness, is really bad in the morning, then I work thru the pain with hot showers, ibuprofen, I am on prednisone, which is 10 mg. Some mornings I can hardly make it to the bath! I do employ a WHOLE LOT OF PRAYER! Please shed any light

[piglette]

You should be able to reduce the pain I would have thought. Does the Ibuprofen work? It normally is not much use for PMR. You could try increasing the prednisone by say 5mg for a week and see if things get better. You can always drop back to where you were if you do it within two weeks. Does the accupuncture work? I must admit in my case it was worse than useless.

[Poodleshrimp in reply to piglette]

The accupuncure was good for about a week, but not for the stiffness in the morning...I really think I have a couple of issues going on. I was so set on reducing the prednisone, at one point I stopped taking it, cold turkey, after a month I was balled up in pain, so that didn't work!

[piglette in reply to Poodleshrimp]

I suppose the fact that without the steroids you were in a lot of pain points to PMR. Perhaps increasing the steroids by 5mg for a week and see what aches and pains are still there??

[SheffieldJane]

I can’t answer your question. You have been through a lot, sending love and prayers.🌺

[Missus835]

Wow...I could've written this post. My heart goes out to you. Same, although I did not have blood clots in my lungs, I was tested for it a few weeks ago. Never had heart or lung problems in my life, so thinking it's the Pred. That is NOT to say I don't have those problems now because Rheumy wants me on cholesterol pills. BP is all over the place, Sugars are just ok. I tried the cholesterol pills, but they started me with racing resting heart rate and jumpy heart, so pharmacist said to stop, but I haven't heard back from Rheumy on reduced dose or new type of pill, although we faxed her a couple of weeks ago.

I also have excrutiating back pain (probably sciatic), but as you say Rheumy doesn't help much), Pred does not help (only combo of 2 Tylenol500/ 1 Ibuprofen400 together will help the back a bit for a couple of hours. Right now all the muscles in my back are spasmed as well (not sure why as nothing heavy done). Using a rollator (walker) to get around as left thigh is numb and I don't want to fall. Also when the pain in my back kicks in it nearly takes me down. Usually bothers me on walking, sitting is ok. Lots of ice packs and heating pad, bring temporary relief.

The shoulders, etc. thumb stiffness into my fingers is how I started with the PMR. Perhaps you need higher Pred for awhile? All the best my friend.