Sore forearms

[Mervetheswerve]

Hello all,

I’ve been on this group with PMR for a couple of years now. I’m currently on my second tapering cycle have got pred-free about a year ago and then had a massive flare after a long bike ride last summer. I went back on pred in Sept and am now down to 6mg/day.

I’m writing now because I recently developed on a four day bike packing trip really sore forearms (the left is much worse than the right) but there is no visible sign of inflammation or irritation of any kind. Could it be PMR-related or is it, more likely, something completly unrelated? It’s a week since I finished the trip so don’t think it’s muscular tiredness related. Thanks, MtS

[SnazzyD]

Tendonitis?? It can make who whole area hurt.

[Mervetheswerve in reply to SnazzyD]

Interesting. Could be but it feels as though it’s on the skin surface but I’ll investigate. Thanks Snaz.

[SnazzyD in reply to Mervetheswerve]

If you grip it tends to make it worse.

The sustained position during cycling have caused an upset in the cervical spine. The pain is skin deep, so try this Brachioradial Pruritis. You can’t see it and it is a surface burny kind of thing.

my.clevelandclinic.org/heal...

This is a guess, you might need a medic/osteopath etc to have a prod to be sure.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Mervetheswerve]

It's what I was going to suggest too - is it worse when gripping or twisting your wrists/hand?

[Mervetheswerve in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks SnazzyD and PMRpro, it’s not UV as my arms were well-covered the entire ride (so blooming cold!). Gripping does to seem to affect it either. It feels very much like sunburn but I’ve had the ice pack on this evening and must admit it does feel easier. If it persists I’ll talk to my doctor next week. Thanks again both. MtS

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Mervetheswerve]

I do get a "burnt skin" sensation at times, have done all the time I have had PMR. No idea what it is though.

[Mervetheswerve in reply to PMRpro]

That’s exactly how it feels. It actually started on the side of my left index finger and has now spread to the full left forearm. Will chat to the doctor later this week. Thanks again all. M

[Sickparott22]

I too get sore forearms with the burning sensation It is the thing that PMR uses to call. out to me to say"I am still here" I get it when I have overdone it in the garden or using the dumbbells in an aqua class . I find Deap Relief Gel helps me but watch out It does contain Ibuprfen.

[Mervetheswerve in reply to Sickparott22]

Isn’t it the case that topical ibuprofen is ok but not tablets that you ingest?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Mervetheswerve]

Depends how large an area you use it on and how much - some is absorbed through the skin so it can pose a problem if you are very sensitive.

[HeronNS in reply to Mervetheswerve]

If your skin absorbs a substance it can move throughout the body, although it won't be concentrated the sameway as oral ingestion. I used Voltaren (topical diclofenac) once on my knee; think I used too much as instructions I had were incomplete and unclear. Nevertheless only once, and promptly had a stomach bleed.

[Mervetheswerve in reply to HeronNS]

Thanks for the heads up. I’ll avoid ibuprofen gel from here on in. (It didn’t actually help my situation anyway.)

[musicalJ]

My forearms are often sore when I dry myself after a shower. I think it is due to the petechiae they get, which I am told is a side effect of prednisolone.

[Mervetheswerve in reply to musicalJ]

interesting. Mine does not present like …. yet.