is a return of arm shoulder pain on one side unusual.

[Rosebud17]

The initial euphoria after three days of 15mgm prednisolone when the pain in both upper arms and thighs was relieved, I have found over the last week or so that the pain has gradually returned in my upper left arm. As a newbie I’m not sure if this one sided response is normal. It is the same pain as I first experienced

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Are you left or right handed? Have you been doing more because you are no longer in as much pain? Have you been using a shopping trolley or the like that you have pushed/pulled with that arm? You haven't knocked that arm?

We can't tell if it is the PMR pain - you are the only one who knows if there is anything different about it. It is unusual for PMR to be one-sided though it can be, but if it is getting worse, then it might start getting worse on one side first.

[Rosebud17 in reply to PMRpro]

I am right handed and did wonder if the fact that I use/ exercise that arm more would keep it less prone to the pain. Can’t say I am conscious of having pulled or knocked the left arm. I am aware of the PMR pain developing in that arm when I wake in the early hours.

A few days ago I did try to do some extra routine housework as I felt better but quickly realised I had overdone it and got overwhelmingly tired. Could that have been the trigger do you think? I have read in the PMRGCAuk guidance that we should expect to do half of what we used to do 😳

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rosebud17]

Could well have done it - and your muscles and other soft tissues are very delicate so it is easy to pull something. Half?? Don't think you can be as prescriptive as that and everyone is different, It is also likely to change from day to day. SOmetimes you will have a day you don't feel up to doing anything.

[Rosebud17 in reply to PMRpro]

yes, one of those days today! 💤

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

With the initial euphoria and Pred induced energy have you returned to ‘normal life’ pre PMR - and caught up on activities you couldn’t do over the previous few weeks?

If so, quite a normal reaction, but you do have a serious underlying illness… so you have to moderate things..

The fact that, at the moment the pain may only be one sided doesn’t necessarily rule out PMR - it sometimes happens like that.

You have only been on Pred for about 14 days…and once the initial reaction has had time to settle, it’s just your PMR reminding you “I’m still here”.

So just keep on your current dose and give it chance… when do you need to report back to GP? If it hasn’t settled in another week or so, or has got worse, then contact them.

[Rosebud17 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you…..sensible advice as always. So glad this forum exists. Realism of PMR is setting in and I certainly have to moderate what I do!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Rosebud17]

you’re welcome, yes and yes😊

[random901]

Go easy on the housework, Rosebud! I'm only capable of 5 mins max at a time, and hoovering less than that before fatigue and pain set in. Some days are better than others.

[Rosebud17 in reply to random901]

thank you, I have reflected on my week and can see where the fatigue and pain set in. I’ve always been so independent so it’s difficult coming to terms with it all!

[Lyndaki]

I must say that in my reducing journey, sometimes I felt that the dose wasn’t sufficient as I got a small amount of pain in my upper right arm & clavicle. (Which was typical of my initial pain before diagnosis only then it was both sides) Each time it happened it was always just on the right side.

[Rosebud17 in reply to Lyndaki]

That’s comforting to know, thank you. Are you left handed? Just a theory of mine 🤭

[Lyndaki in reply to Rosebud17]

No I'm right handed. The aches were originally bilateral though before diagnosis.

[Rosebud17 in reply to Rosebud17]

Another theory out of the window then🤭

[Charlie1boy]

In my case the pain was mainly bilateral, but there were plenty of occasions when I experienced niggles on one side or the other. It was predominantly on the right side to begin with, but latterly more on the left - never knew why! Pmr has a mind of its own.

[Rosebud17 in reply to Charlie1boy]

Thanks for your response. When PMR introduced itself to me it was a completely bilateral pain arms, legs, back, so the onset of the one sided pain seemed a bit odd.

[Charlie1boy]

I can understand your reaction, but pmr has a mind of its own.

Good luck.

[sidra1968]

A lot of my pain was one - sided, so it definitely can happen.

[Rosebud17 in reply to sidra1968]

Good to know, thanks