Is it PMR?

[Trovatello]

diagnosed with cranial GCA April 2023, on 60 mg and now, following orders from Leicester rheumy I am titrating to 4.5 by .5 every mth UNTIL i was hit by awful pain across lower back and into L buttock and leg 2 days ago. Is this PMR ? And if so, should I go back to 4 or more? I have never known pain like it.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Could be Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome [GTPS] which very often accompanies PMR - this is just one link I found, all much of a muchness… and Pred is unlikely to help -

newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk/...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Could be piriformis syndrome causing sciatica - and piriformis can be part of GTPS. The sciatic nerve passes through the piriformis muscle and if the muscle spasms it pinches the nerve - resulting in sciatica which can be excruciating!

cedars-sinai.org/health-lib....

spine-health.com/video/piri...

[SheffieldJane]

This happened to me, whilst holding a newborn grandchild - I wasn’t allowed to hold him after that. It was diagnosed as sciatica and I was given stretching exercises. The attacks, with different levels of intensity lasted 6 weeks. It was agonising and I felt useless. At that time no link was made with my PMRGCA/LVV. I was in Australia without access to my excellent Rheumatologist though.

[potterylady in reply to SheffieldJane]

What a nightmare!! How scary

[Bcol]

I have severe arthritis and OA as well as damaged discs etc in my lower back and when they decide to get grumpy I get the severe and excruciating sciatic pain that you seem to be having. Pred and pain relief has absolutely no effect at all and I have two to three weeks of coping until it wears off. I do have some Amitriptyline to try next time it happens but haven't had to try it yet.

[Zappata]

You seem to be reducing very quickly. I am under Leicester rheumy also and am still on 5mg after 4 years (several flares). I have also had PMR symptoms although it has never been mentioned. I would ring the helpline if it persists or perhaps just up you dose a little for a day or two to see if it helps