Is this DOMS?

[Cashewnutty1962]

Hi all, firstly I accept your tellings off as it’s well deserved.

I posted recently that I had been gardening and subsequently was experiencing shoulder pain. At the time my dose of prednisone was 4.5mgs and I felt very, very well physically and mentally. Best I had ever been on such a low dose. I posted that I was due to reduce the dose as per Rheumatologist in the following week to 4mgs.

The responses from this group was to NOT reduce the dose… it could be that my pains were due to DOMS but best not to take any chances.

Well stupidly, I decided my pains were not due to flare up of PMR and would resolve once I rested my self and stopped gardening!!!

Well… the pains are worse… mind you they have not stopped me from my usual 3-4 mile high speed walks in the nature reserve next door most mornings with my husband.

The walks make me feel better, no discomfort on walks.

My thoughts… I stumbled over a tree root almost fell, stopping my descent by landing heavily on my right leg jolting my right hip now painful. I slid down a slope stopping myself with my left foot, now painful! I have OA both hips apparently.

The shoulder and pelvic girdle pains are terrible at night, so stiff in the morning and persistent even after my steroid dose.

Needless to say I have increased my dose by 0.25mgs so taking 4.25 and not 4.5 as before all this self inflicted trauma.

I toyed with the idea of calling my rheumatologist for an “urgent “ appt as he instructed me verbally and in writing.

I decided to increase the dose instead especially as we are jetting off week after next to warmer climes.. I imagine dose increase would be his advice anyway. The clinic letter mentioned test to see if Adrenals are working if I am unable to reduce the dose.

Plan: stay on increased dose… yes I know, it has to go back up to 4.5mgs🤪

See if the deep tissue massage I had from

Physio 3 days ago gives relief.

Yes you are right, I’m hard headed, stubborn, wayward, deaf… serves me right that I’m in this predicament! I hang my head in shame… well I would if my shoulders weren’t stiff😂

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Needless to say I have increased my dose by 0.25mgs so taking 4.25 and not 4.5 as before all this self inflicted trauma.

If you are flaring [well no if about it really] then 0.25mg is going to do diddly squat for it.

Protocol here - healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

And action it now [provided you have enough tablets] so at least it has a fighting chance to get working before your holibibs,… and I’m not going to ask what you are going to be doing on them - but I'm hoping there is some resting included.

[Cashewnutty1962 in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi.,, hang on a sec while I take the rest of the 0.5…..done. It’s a chilling beach based rest. I will leave the dose at 4.5mgs now. Will read the posted protocol. Many thanks and quick response.☺️

[Charlie1boy]

I agree with DorsetLady. Suspect your PMR may be angry with you, so best to give it plenty of tlc, and hope that quietens it down a bit

[PMRpro Ambassador]

A fall like that has the potential to really upset the balance of your back muscles and they will spasm in an attempt to protect themselves and you can develop good going whiplash as a result!

Where are you off to on your holibobs? Hopefully somewhere that IS warm!!!!

[Cashewnutty1962 in reply to PMRpro]

Haha😂Andalusia Spain. Only couple of hours flight so no long periods of sitting and inactivity.. I hope to bound off the plane full of energy… or not😂

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Cashewnutty1962]

When do you go? Not in the next 2 days I hope ...

[Cashewnutty1962 in reply to PMRpro]

No, early May.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Cashewnutty1962]

Good - might have perked up by then!!!!

[Cashewnutty1962 in reply to PMRpro]

Actually I feel a bit less dead today!! 5mgs certainly better than 4!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Cashewnutty1962]

I meant the weather - it isn't wonderful anywhere this week!!!! But that is good too ...

[Cashewnutty1962 in reply to PMRpro]

Oh😂

[Numptybrain]

The warm sun will be lovely for you.

Take care

Wendy xx

[Cashewnutty1962 in reply to Numptybrain]

☺️

[Cashewnutty1962 in reply to Numptybrain]

I certainly hope so!

[Ginntonic]

hello Cashewnutty,

I’m sorry to hear of your predicament. My experience last September when 15 mg did not work for me was to increase the dose by one third to 20 mg. In two weeks this big jump resolved the problem & I dropped back to 15 and I am now down to 8 with no further problems.

This was based on what I had read here (thank you) and largely against the advice of my GP. It worked!

It may be worth considering giving yourself a boost of a third, 2 mg on top of your 4.5 giving 6.5 for a couple of weeks which may get you sorted for the hols.

Have a good holiday, & buenas dias to Spain

[Cashewnutty1962 in reply to Ginntonic]

Wow!! I’d be too scared to increase to that level!! I started off on 15mgs Jan 2022.. dropping by 2.5mgs to 10mgs every 3 weeks. Thereafter dropping by 1mgs monthly. Several times I have needed to increase the dose by 1-2mgs after a flare up. This has sorted the issue within days. I’m feeling less stiff today now I’m back on 5mgs. Will see how I go the next couple of days, increasing if needs be. Thank you very much.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Cashewnutty1962]

Wow!! I’d be too scared to increase to that level!!

Sincerely hope you never get GCA then! 20mg is peanuts compared to those doses..😊

[Cashewnutty1962 in reply to DorsetLady]

I’d be crying trust me!!