Is this PMR or something else?

[Decsgran]

Since coming back from holiday in November I have had lower back pain and in the hips which is affecting how I walk. Initially I put it down to lifting the suitcases onto the luggage trolley. A chiropractic treatment helped but not as much as I expected. On Christmas Day it was particularly bad and then my left bicep started to hurt. It feels as though I have pulled a muscle but can’t think of anything I’ve done that would cause it. The turkey wasn’t that big!

Now a week later it’s not feeling any better even though I’m trying to rest it as much as I can. The back is worse first thing in the morning and eases off as the day goes on, but the arm pain doesn’t change. Paracetamol doesn’t seem to have any effect. Do you think this is a flare, even though it’s just on one side? I’m currently taking 7mgs.

[piglette]

Do painkillers help?

[Decsgran in reply to piglette]

Paracetamol has no effect

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Decsgran]

In that case it could be PMR, even though one-sided at the moment it may well spread to other side eventually. Might be worth trying the flare advice contained in this link- and see what happens - if it does work drop back to 8mg rather than 7mg.

If it doesn’t work, then come back, and we’ll have another think.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Difficult to say - but my suspicion is your first diagnosis was probably correct - and in lifting those cases, you have put sudden strain on your back muscles which took fright and went into spasm to protect the rest of the structures. Depending on what in the back is most upset, that could spread to the arm. I saw a chiropractor recently and that CHANGED the nature of my back pain but some of the muscle problems are still there, better but there.

Have you tried localised heat? Makes a major difference for me. Paracetamol alone doesn't do much for me but ibuprofen does but I can't use that all the time. However - a good 800mg flooding dose and heat where it hurts most can result in several days of a lot less pain. I have been trying a selection of management approaches as this is ongoing for me and I can't use what I know works because of other problems. Sod's law ...

If I were in the UK and it was feasible, I would be asking my former Bowen therapist if she had a space to fit me in!!! Where are you?

[Decsgran in reply to PMRpro]

I’m in Hampshire UK.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Decsgran]

If you'd been oop north I'd have given you a Bowen therapist name. Bit far from Hampshire though ...

[Decsgran]

Yes definitely too far. It was painful enough driving a mile and a half taking hubby for a blood test this morning! I’ve googled this morning and we have got a therapist locally.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Decsgran]

Give them a try - you should know immediately if it will help and if it hasn't helped after 3 sessions - no more.