I was diagnosed with PMR in March and have tapered from 12mg to 6mg since then with no flares. I also have recurring right hip pain which got worse about 2months ago and an ultrasound showed a labral tear. A month ago I had an ultrasound guided steroid injection into the hip which didn’t work and I’m now in more pain than before, almost unable to walk at times. My GP has prescribed Naproxen for pain relief which I’ve taken now for 3days and it’s not helping. I haven’t seen my rheumatologist since the injection and he has suggested that musculoskeletal pain is complex and can come from a number of different sources and thinks that physiotherapy is a good idea. I have my second physio session today.
I have asked for another follow up appointment with the rheumatologist asap although it may be a week or so until he has space. I am confused now and wondering what to do next? Stay on the Naproxen in case it starts to help? Go back onto ibuprofen which just took the edge off? Even up my steroids although I’m pretty sure it’s not PMR related? Any ideas gratefully received.
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MavisLab
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Maybe stick within the Naproxen for a bit longer and see if it helps, but both that and ibuprofen are NSAIDs and shouldn’t really be taken regularly with steroids, all are harsh on stomach.
Just make sure physio is aware you have PMR, and that your muscles aren’t as robust as usual, so need to treated a bit more gently than normal.
If you are sure it isn’t PMR related then increasing Pred isn’t likely to help.
Thank you so much for the speedy reply. I’ll give it a bit longer on the Naproxen and check again with the physio today in case the increased exercises have caused the additional pain - chicken and egg isn’t it, without the exercises the muscles with get less effective, but with them the pain increases. I don’t think it is PMR but who knows. It is in one particular area, groin and front right leg, so seems unlikely.
Naproxen is supposed to be stronger than ibuprofen - but either way, NSAIDs are dodgy taken alongside pred so I trust you are also on some form of stomach protection, a PPI or H2 antagonist, if you are to use it regularly.
If the pain is worsening after the physio, make that clear. tangocharlie was sent for physio for back pain, she reported an increase in pain but the physio ignored her and her request for an x-ray - eventually the rheumy ordered the x-ray and the pain was due to spinal fractures. Don't be fobbed off.
I’ve been to my physio today and she’s cut back to the essential exercises for slowly rebuilding some strength with targeted stretches. She’s also given me guidance on managing walking, getting up and down from sitting in chairs and reminding me to breath!! She has suggested that after three days of trying that I stop the Naproxen because it isn’t working. I’ve got a rheumatologist appointment but not until 17th December (and that is privately!). I have booked two sessions with the physio next week which I am grateful for. I had an X-ray back in March which was all clear but I can possibly talk to the consultant about another, or an MRI.
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