Advice please

[Northernnugget]

Hello again Just a quick one I'm currently on 11 mg but in all honestly I havent felt right since I tapered down from 14 I also have Fibromyagia as well The last 3 weeks have been a struggle I have pain in my neck, back and beneath my shoulder blades I dont want to go back up to 14 mg and it turns out to be the Fibro rearing its ugly head I was diagnosed with Fibro five months before Poly and I cant help but question this diagnosis on the basis I was far to young at 49 to have Poly Anyway after an argument with Rheumy the sent me for a Pet scan and there was the evil Poly Is there a a regime I can follow with the pred to try a higher dose but to quickly drop safely back down to 11 if I find no relief?

[SnazzyD]

Hello, so you’ve dropped by 3mg in a year? Does the reemergence of the pain tie in with any increased stress mentally/emotionally, new or sustained activity, or other illness? What do you do in the day and are you sleeping well?

Lastly, can you describe the pain and when it is worst?

[Northernnugget in reply to SnazzyD]

No on the advice of the good people on here I went up to 20mg and started the taper again That was last july because of a back problem I've never been totally been free of pain while on the pred but its been more manageable Its just these last 3 weeks that have been an issue I'm not doing anything different I work full time doing nights but I'm mindful in what I'm doing Sleepwise I take Amitriptilyne and I do sleep better with it x

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

You can try the flare protocol - that enables you to drop back down easily -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You can take a higher dose for up to 10-14 days and still drop straight back to the original dose if it did nothing to help - that is the flare protocol.

But what you describe sounds as if it could possibly be myofascial pain syndrome causing very tight and spasmed muscles - they can be really uncomfortable, even causing excruciating pain in places.

My go-to in an emergency is an 800mg flooding dose of ibuprofen (if you can take it and always with food) and heat over the painful area while sitting well supported with cushions in a comfortable chair. It can take a few days but that is likely to confirm if it is due to muscle spasm. Pred can help but not quickly like it does for PMR and it tends to need a lot unless someone offers a local injection.

I used to find Bowen therapy very helpful but a good therapeutic massage therapist is an option I like too. You may feel worse before you feel better with massage though.

[Northernnugget in reply to PMRpro]

I'll try the Ibuprophen first and take it from there I'm off to Thailand next week Hoping the sunshine will buck me up Thanks 💗x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Northernnugget]

Hope you bring some back with you!!!