painful thighs and buttocks

[PUMC]

My initial symptoms and PMR pain were all in my shoulders, neck, hands, and wrists. I was diagnosed in Dec 2019. Tapered off prednisone too fast (now I know) in 14 months; and it came back one month later after my second COVID (Moderna) vaccine. Just shoulders and arms, but made them very painful and useless. I started 20 mg of prednisone again, and have been tapering VERY slowly to 4 mg .Last week I began having pains in my buttocks and thighs. The pain in my thighs is sometimes on the sides/ sometimes in the front. It’s causing me to hobble - walking has become quite painful. I’ve message my rheumatologist to suggest I add 5 mg to my prednisone for a week, to see if that helps - then drop back to 5 mg (instead of 4) and see how I do. Does that seem like the right course of action.

[piglette]

Sounds reasonable. See if the increase helps to knock the PMR on the head.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It's what I would suggest - it definitely sounds as if you have arrived at "your" dose for now.

[PUMC in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks. I value your advice.

[Kiwisufferer2019]

I'm practically exactly the same as you, diagnosed in October 2019, pain in shoulders, neck, hands, but originally not legs, until around 18 months ago. Now thigh pain, hip pain, hurts when walking and I walk twice a day for 30 to 40 minutes exercising my wee cavoodle. My weight has piled on and it's so frustrating. I lost my husband in February and it has been a real battle ,I've had so many flares and have yo yoed for so long! Good luck to you, it seems we must be patient a bit longer.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Kiwisufferer2019]

Weight, cut the carbs, drastically, especially processed ones, added sugar and limit fruit.

Stress of any sort and bereavement does PMR no good at all. I needed a high dose while my husband was ill, I needed more a few months after his death when it all hit like a ton of bricks. One you start yoyoing you are building up problems - the more you yoyo, the harder it gets, both to get things under control and then reduce again.

[PUMC in reply to PMRpro]

I had a more than usual active few days prior to these symptoms (house guests and a church yard sale). Maybe it’s just vey sore muscles. Waiting on the CRP results. I will NOT increase prednisone if inflammation marker hasn’t. I used a heating pad and later, Voltarin cream last night. Maybe a bit better today. Thank you again.

[Kiwisufferer2019 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks PMR PRO, I have managed to lose 1.5k this week, I don't have bread and don't buy any processed food, eat Mainly veges, chicken a little bit of steak occasionally and unsweetened Greek yogurt with a bit of fruit, have started the 16.8 fasting again, but take my pred about 10.30 with a glass of water and a banana. It seems to be helping. I'm also walking Meg twice a day for 30 mins each time, strictly flat paths, can't do hills and don't want to upset sore thighs and hips, gently does it. Then a rest. Meg loves playing with the other little dogs and gives everyone a good laugh she's so fast and jumps and zooms around the other little dogs, and some bigger ones!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Kiwisufferer2019]

Well done!!! Watch that banana though - I could only lose weight at a VERY low level of carbs and one banana took me to that level without any other carbs!!!! They are so enormous these days ...

[Kiwisufferer2019 in reply to PMRpro]

I will be very careful, I desperately want/need to lose wait, for my health sake too. Thanks for your encouragement. 😊