shoulder pain but only on the right side?

[PipandDots]

I’ve been told that PMR pain is always on both sides of the body. So is my right shoulder pain something else?

as always I’m grateful for your help and advice

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

About 3weeks ago you complained of thigh and upper arm issues -has that now resolved?

..and yes PMR is usually bilateral, but when flaring it sometimes goes for the weakest spot first - has that shoulder been a problem in the past -pre PMR?

What dose are you on now? .. and have you tried ordinary painkillers, gel or heat on your shoulder to see if PMR or not?

If other remedies help might be worth asking for X-ray in case it’s osteoarthritis.

[PipandDots in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks for your reply

Yes the previous leg and arm issue has eased. No pre PMR shoulder issue although I did have neck pain for years. I’m taking paracetamol regularly and it helps. I’m on 1mg and tapering to 0.5 very slowly.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I don't think you can ever take things entirely in isolation. You complained recently about pains that sound very flare-like and in a flare sometimes on side gets worse before the other. However, it may be coincidental and you have injured it - after being on pred it may not take much to wrench a shoulder.

Have you tried pain relief and the usual conservative approaches for shoulder injury - ice/heat and rest? Rest and painkillers rarely help PMR but do help injury.

[PipandDots in reply to PMRpro]

I haven’t tried heat and ice but I will. Regular paracetamol is helpful

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PipandDots]

If paracetamol helps , unlikely to be PMR

[PipandDots in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks I’m happy with that

[Shropshirelassy in reply to PMRpro]

Hello PMRPro

As always your comments are so helpful. I noticed that you say paracetamol would not be of any help for PMR.

I’m now down to 5mg pred daily but after my last telephone consultation with my rheumatologist he suggested supplementing reduced pred with paracetamol. As a result I have been taking it pretty well daily.

Shoulder and hip pain pain appears to improve after 20 minutes or so. Do you have any tips as to how I can differentiate the cause of these pains. I’m never very sure if x-ray would help with the PMR???

I’m at that stage where I’m anxious about reducing further but also would still love to get my pred down.

Any thoughts? 🦋💕

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Shropshirelassy]

Blimey - I wish paracetamol worked in 20 mins for me!!! It takes several hours - so I do wonder if it is doing anything or just coincidence!

How much do you need? Is once a day enough?

Difficult to say what it is - I think pain due to steroid withdrawal responds to pred - i.e. the body protesting at the change in dose or adrenals adjusting to produce top-up cortisol usually improves with paracetamol. If there is osteoarthritis pain it responds to paracetamol.  DorsetLady may be more help there as she has experienced that, I can't say I have.

Has the shoulder/hip pain been investigated? Where is the hip pain? Deep in the groin or on the outside of the thigh? What makes it worse?

[Shropshirelassy in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you so much- that makes sense. I will look at the hip pain- left hip only and only at night while lm trying to sleep.

I think I got ahead of myself with the tapering too. My recent stiffness and aches probably due to inflammation build up. Dorsey lady sent lovely message. You look after us all so well. Thank you.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Shropshirelassy]

X-ray won’t help with PMR -but it might help to see if you have osteoarthritis.

And as PMRpro says if you are getting relief from paracetamol then it’s not caused by PMR -and at 5mg all the usual aches and pains of life are likely to return…. My OA pains resurfaced way above that dose.

Think you need more investigation -and go down the route if it’s unlikely be PMR -not everything is…

[Shropshirelassy in reply to DorsetLady]

That’s so useful - thank you Dorset Lady. I think the Rheumatologist was having me on somewhat. The paracetamol helps with the knees and ankles. I’m going to check out the deep hip pain in my left hipZ only happens while trying to sleep. I’m sticking with my 5mg now. I got a little be de-mob happy I think. Trying to race to the final few mags - it’s not a good idea is it? Your help invaluable as always. I read everything you and PMRpro write. Thanks a million.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Shropshirelassy]

You’re welcome…..