I was diagnosed with PMR in July 2022 a week after having Covid. My pain symptoms have been bi lateral buttock pain and shoulder pain .
I never really experienced the great relief that many feel when starting pred. despite going upto 25mg. I have reduced gradually over the time but had a few flares where I followed advice on this site , dealing with flares. I even managed to reduce to 3mg even though still had some discomfort , mostly in my buttocks. My last flare started in December and sadly I haven't been able to get relief even going upto 15mg.
The buttock pain is there nearly all the time and it is really getting to me.
Recent blood tests have come back as normal.
I should also mention that I had back surgery last Feb for stenosis on L4 L5 and this was successful.
Any thoughts please.
Written by
simps999
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I don't really get relief from pain killers although tend to take paracetamol.as I know anti inflammatories are not a good idea with pred. I would consider a private physio who knows about piriformis syndrome to see if it could have developed into that. Thanks for your help
As you said previously you are now on 10mg , so would suggest you stay at that dose and give it time to see if that makes any difference certainly to the shoulder pain .. and maybe consciously make an effort to do less [know it's not always easy].
I think you need to chase up the buttock pain... it might be part of PMR, it might not. That needs clarifying before you can do much about it.
But there are related posts to look at now you have written this..
Buttock pain would be typical for L4/5 disc level problems. ? Worth chasing this possibility this up with Yr Dr or are you due a follow up appt with your back surgeon.
Surgery has sorted out the stenosis problem and weakness in the legs but the butt problem persists and if its piriformis syndrome, do you think the right physio can help ?
I had piriformis tightness recently and it was a persistent gnawing in my right buttock particularly. Other muscles become upset so my piriformis stretches were not working. An osteopath sorted it out in a few sessions. Paracetamol never works for this with me and sleeping on my side without a pillow in between my knees made it worse.
Just had the treatment and he is very knowledgeable. Have used him in the past lots of times. Hopefully it will improve things , but not expecting a quick fix. Thanks
I had something very similar to you and only realised that it probably wasn’t PMR when I increased the pred to alleviate the pain. When it didn’t work I contacted a private physio. I know it’s not cheap but I was desperate. She diagnosed piriformis syndrome and used dry needling on me. This gave me almost immediate relief. I’ve continued to do the exercises but sometimes it still flares up and can be very painful so I go for more dry needling. The physio has warned me that it will take months but at least I know that it will eventually get better. Hope this helps.
There is also a form called wet needling where they inject small amounts of lignocaine or even just saline just under the skin. That stimulates the underlying muscles to relax. I get it regularly here - not always instant but works very well.
I have had buttock pain for a long time now. Before Christmas I had an MRI and last week it was reviewed and shows I have spinal stenosis and am being reffered for an injection in my spine.
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