could I have your opinion on this

[Lacelady]

I have been reducing steadily down to 2.5 using DL method with out any problems, then started reducing to 2 mg , (Monday 2 mg rest of the week 2.5 then 2 mg on Monday & Tuesday and so on.)

Then I went out and trimmed the lavender bushes, very gently so I thought. However half way through I developed a pain across my lower back just like the first time I started with the PMR symptoms.

I tried Paracetamol but it didn’t seem to help which made me think it could be a flare. I upped my pred to 5mg but after three days there was no improvement, so went to 10 mg. After three days again there has been no improvement. Usually if I increase my dose it goes quite quickly but not this time

I went for a walk on Sunday and the pain in my back got worse .

I am now at a quandary! Do I carry on at 10 mg or is it just muscle soreness which will ease as it gets better?

I know you all say that we can stay at 10 mg for a week and then drop down to just above the last dose when things improve, but they are not improving.

I am going on holiday on Saturday so am desperate to sort this out.

I do hope you can help with this

Thank you all in advance for your advice.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

If pains aren't improving on 10mg then it's not PMR, or not all PMR... so DOMS [delayed onset muscle soreness] or maybe a strain.

Have you tried cold/heat therapy or stronger painkiller than paracetamol ? Co-codamol for example but not ibuprofen, unless it's topical gel...

[Lacelady in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you for your quick reply.

I have tried ibuprofen gel but that didn’t seem to help. I will try Co-codamol . I am beginning to think it is muscular.

Should I go back to 2.5 mg or 3mg ?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Lacelady]

3mg, especially if you have holiday coming up… and then think about tapering afterwards…..

[Lacelady in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you that was what I thought but needed your experience to be sure

[PMRpro Ambassador]

To me it sounds more like a muscle spasm due to myofascial pain syndrome which does tend to be more common alongside PMR.

What I do with similar problems is take an 800mg flooding dose of ibuprofen - preferably with food - and sit upright with a hot water bottle across the painful area. Someone in a meeting with me the other day said she has started using that for a more serious problem than just muscle spasm and finds it works for her too. It rarely works instantly, how long may range from a few hours to a few days! I often add paracetamol - you can take them at the same time - for a bit more pain relief. But paracetamol alone doesn't have enough antiinflammatory effect and pred doesn't really work for some reason.

Someone said recently they find lidocaine patches help too.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to PMRpro]

PS - the odd dose of ibuprofen is OK and taking 800mg all at once is safer than repeated lower doses.

[Lacelady in reply to PMRpro]

Ok I understand. I will defiantly give it a go . Anything to clear it up

[Lacelady in reply to PMRpro]

Last night I took the ibuprofen and I did think it helped a little but it is much the same today . How often can you do that?

I am back on 3mg today

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lacelady]

I do it once a day until it feels properly better - sometimes it takes up to a week if it is really set in. Make sure you take it with food.

[Lacelady in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you it is good to know that I can do it again. I will keep trying

Thank you for your help it is much appreciated.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lacelady]

If you get any tummy problems, stop. My rheumy uses NSAIDs for a week or so at high doses and then he tells me to take a PPI - omeprazole or the like.

[Lacelady in reply to PMRpro]

I stopped taking PPIs but I have a few left. Would it be a good idea to take some as a precaution?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lacelady]

It will save you worrying.

[Lacelady in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. That sounds like a good idea. However I thought you shouldn’t take ibuprofen with pred, but you know what you are talking about so I will try it.

I will let you know if it works.

Thanks again

[SnazzyD]

As it seems to have just appeared after an unusual activity and doesn’t care for Pred, I suspect you’ve done yourself a mischief. I can just see those little pelvic muscles and ligaments being strained as you bend over if even just a tiny bit as you concentrate on your arms. There isn’t a quick fix and Pred won’t help this time amidst awful timing. You could try going back to your previous dose of Pred and try PMRPro’s one off flooding dose of Ibuprofen unless you can’t take it normally. Then rest with gentle little and often movement.

[Lacelady in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you Snazzy D.

I must have bent at a bad angle or something like that.. I did try and be careful but you know what it’s like when you want to do a job.

I will think twice next time

[SnazzyD in reply to Lacelady]

Oh yes I sure do!

[Smokygirl]

I have an old back problem and I find that turning my bed mattress over and also rotating it really helps. Also how old is it? Perhaps you need a new one.

But don’t do it yourself!!!

[Lacelady in reply to Smokygirl]

Thank you for your suggestion. I think my mattress is still fairly supportive but it is something to think about.

[nissemor]

Hello Lacelady,

have you thought about doing some very gentle back exercises? Like lying on your back with your knees bent and doing a gentle pelvic tilt/ rocking? Press your back down and bring the pubic bone towards your chest. Stay within your pain free range. It may help.

I hope it gets better soon.

[Lacelady in reply to nissemor]

Thank you for replying. At the moment I am reluctant to do much exercise I just want to rest it. However when it eases off I might give your idea a go.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lacelady]

Keeping mobile is a key part of recovering from back pain. They used to recommend bedrest - worst thing you could do ...

[Lacelady in reply to PMRpro]

I am keeping going carrying on with the usual stuff but more gently. Not too much bending from the waist. Next week we are on a walking holiday so I must keep active.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lacelady]

Eek - careful where you go! I find my low back pain doesn't like longer walks ...

[Lacelady in reply to PMRpro]

I am a bit worried but we have been looking forward to this so much. I will just have to grin and bear it. Hopefully you’re ibuprofen idea will clear it up in time it has eased a lot

We are trying to sell our house and I need this break from all the stress. It should do me good to get away.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lacelady]

Just don't go somewhere inaccessible that makes it difficult to rescue you if you get stuck!!! Where/what are you aiming for?

Be brutally honest with yourself and others: if you are struggling to walk around the house and garden at home - you will struggle wherever you are.

[Lacelady in reply to PMRpro]

We are walking the coast in Jersey it is somewhere we know well and busses are not far away. It is just the two of so we stop and sit a lot. Over the years we have shortened the walks and coordinated with the bus timetable to get us back. If necessary we can have days off

[Mansplainer101]

Ever hear that old saw, "When all you have is a hammer, all your troubles look like nails."?

I can certainly see how one could extend that to PMR in that every time we get a problem with our knees, backs, shoulders, etc., our first thought is that it's a PMR flare.

I suspect that the many respondents who suspect your backache has nothing to do with a PMR flare may be correct and worth listening to.

Have you tried whiskey???

[Lacelady in reply to Mansplainer101]

Now that is a thought! It is a shame I don’t like whisky.

Would a G & T work?

Don’t worry I am listening and taking their advice.