well, since my back now hurts in 3 areas and of course we don't thinks it's my PMR, so I asked to go to a pain management doctor. I just want answers, not drugs. First thing they did was collect urine sample...good grief. I understand but I'm not a drug person, I hate that I had to take Prednisone and now also on Plaquinel. And Levothyroxine .075 now. I told them I wasn't there for drugs!
Well...I'll be dang if he didn't almost immediatly say, take this drug... And we will do anesthesia injections... I said I'm on Prednisone, and he said oh...well don't take that drug take this drug...Geez, didn't he read my medication list!!!
So... He gave me Lyrica and generic Duloxetine (Cymbalta generic).
anyone trying this for pains other than our Polymyalgia pains? I took it once before for 6 weeks (pre PMR), made me so tired.
I'm not so convince more drugs are then answer. Feel doctors just try them to see what works, but with all my Prednisone side effects I really don't want to add more to mixture!!!!
(my history: PMR 9 months, on Pred 7mg now, hydroxychloroquine (Plaquinel) 300 mg)
Not here Layne - but I've had a similar problem trying to convince GP's I don't want any more meds except if it life threating but like you they all seem to be 'trying' other drugs to see what happens - not with my body!!
Yes, I've been tried on both. Lasted a week on Lyrica and 3 days on Cymbalta, they both made me feel incredibly ill. Neither of them was for PMR at all, but for Fibromyalgia. I'm sticking to a low dose of Gabapentin which doesn't seem to carry any side effects at all for me but does take the edge off the Fibro pain (well, mostly). I know from previous discussions with my GP that here neither would be offered for PMR because they just don't work for it.
My PMR pains are in not in my muscles, they are more in tendons or bursas of groin, hip flexors, butt "bone" area and shoulders, on both sides worse in mornings.
So not Fibromyalgia.
but recently after I think physical therapist made me do too hard of exercise (push ups) my shoulder blades hurt daily and a spot on my lower cervical spine is very tender. A PMR person here on forum said her should blade area also hurts, so I'm think that might be PMR related. Perhaps I inflammed that area.
rheumy xrayed my thoracic spine and said it showed "some" osteoarthritis, well, this "some" sure hurts when I must do chores and is tender on spine in a spot as well. Hurts now to keep upright for long, sitting or standing, or sleeping on side in fetal position.
lower back is old injury been hurting for years, hurts after I walk for 10+ minutes, ugh.
I've been strict with my antiinflammatory diet for 8 months.
I assume its OA setting in, but wanted to talk with others with this experience since its new to me. Guess I could see if there is an OA forum. But wanted to start here.
I do so hope that Bowen helps you, it worked wonders for me.
Do you want to be put in touch with others in the USA, they now have quite a few contacts and mainly come from this site and another one. All people who are interested in a virtual support group in the States.
If so, send a PM with your email address etc and I will forward it to Audrey and Mary.
First one was nice! I even felt very Zen one day when we (hubby and I) were moving stuff, I was shocked and please, we even discussed stressful stuff and it didn't bother me; still had pains, but not bad.
Second visit, I didn't feel as many reactions in body, except very odd when she worked near diaphragm... She worked hips mainly and neck...
I'll tell her about my back so maybe she can work it if she feels...I hope so. Not only am I struggling with this, but not being able to taste food due to dry mouth is really, really challenging me! And absolutely no lemon! ENT doctors orders, I already have inflammation in throat/esophagus. And yes waiting for second Sjogrens test biopsie results.
Hi Layne. My rheumy put me on Duloxetine last October (he is 'doubtful' about my pmr diagnosis and keeps trying to convince himself that it's Fibro. At the time I was suffering from hyper-sensitivity, crying at every little thing and very negative thoughts. The Duloxetine did nothing for my pain (surprise, surprise)! but they do help me with the mood swings. Definitely less sensitive and more positive. Drawback? Extreme sleeping! If I sit in the car, I'm like a baby, asleep before we hit the end of the road! Must be annoying for my other half, especially on a long journey. Mind you, I suppose it's better to have me snoring most of the way, rather than crying my eyes out for no apparent reason! I know what you mean about the drugs, though. It seems that they give you a drug which gives you side effects, then give you drugs to control the side effects, which then give you different side effects so they offer you more drugs to control these! It seems like a never ending loop! (By the way, I was diagnosed with pmr in jan. '14 and started on 15mgs pred. Am currently on 10mgs). Take care, Debbie
I can only say that I am very grateful that the pain unit in our local hospital does tend to look for the cause before handing out the pain pills! I was examined - and the anaesthetist I was seeing immediately said she wasn't surprised I was in pain. All my back muscles were as hard as boards. I had cortisone injections, local and in the form of a technique called needling, over a period of a few months which achieved a minor miracle. The muscles relaxed and as they relaxed the pain went.
No Layne - I wouldn't assume it is OA setting in - I have no eveidence of it but 3 years ago
It kept returning though - until I had a rogue wisdom tooth out - it had been affecting my bite and that was putting strain on the back muscles. Bite problems are a common cause of neck and shoulder problems and if not sorted out can eventually affect the whole of your back - and even arms and legs!
No Layne - I wouldn't assume it is OA setting in - I have no evidence of it but 3 years ago could barely walk. I had had a whiplash injury that really triggered the severe pain and the orthopod I saw privately after the accident did some treatment but told me the pain at the bottom of my spine after walking or standing for 10 minutes was "wear and tear" and I'd have to live with it. When I told the physio and the pain doctor that they were horrified - both of them could see it was muscluar in origin. No imaging will show it up - you need someone with clinical skills and good hands.
And please avoid your physical therapist like the plague in future - anything like pushups will cause more trouble than good in a patient with PMR. They obviously know nothing about treating PMR. The physio I saw showed me gentle versions - you do it against the wall or on a "swing" but not using full body weight. Even so, at that time I could only do one or two without suffering the next day - I was OK at the time and often did a few too many! I was given a few sessions of aquatherapy - doing "pressups" against the side while standing in deep water was the limit to start with.
But even now, just a few minutes with the vacuum cleaner or a brush will make a particular muscle in my back complain. The wonderful orthopod I had 30 years ago in Germany told me that anyone with chronic back problems should avoid either because they cause tremendous strain on the back as you lean slightly forwards. If you have an acute problem - it will become chrnic of you abuse it.
Hi Debbie, did the 15mg pred help the pain when you were first diagnosed? If so it is not fibromyalgia for which pred does nothing. It is strange how a lot of doctors are so fond of us having fibro and not PMR.
Hi ptolemy. Yes I got a significant improvement on the 15mgs. Not quite the miracle that some experience but enough to confirm diagnosis (to my gp and myself anyway)! My rheumy however says that pred DOES work on fibro.....I know, I know. When I pointed out that a lot of people on this site would disagree, he said maybe we all have fibro! Sorry, when I said my rheumy, I should have said my ex- rheumy. I will not be seeing him again. (His parting shot was 'Next time I see you, you will be off steroids altogether.'. I had managed on the slow reduction plan to drop to 7.5 about two months ago but had a flare which is still a problem even though I am back on 10mgs. Really don't want to go up again but not sure I can go on like this. Hope you have had one of the 'good' days, Debbie
Some of these rheumies seem to be in cloud cuckoo land. One really begins to wonder where they pick up some of this stuff. Your ex rheumy is probably right, next time you see him you will be off steroids, as it will be a long time in the future, if ever!
I know how you feel about going above 10mg it is a sort of magic number. I did go to 15mg recently after an operation but was able to get down to 10mg again quite quickly.
As a pychotherapist, I see lots of people on Cymbalta. Some swear by it, others have mixed responses. Most are on it for depression, anxiety and fibromyalgia type sx. It seems very good for managing the first two.I would (and am) considering taking it.
I have had less experience with Lyrica but there are some strange side effects with this drug. (so this is anecdoctal and just one small sample.) One patient of mine became psychotic (and was not a candidate for that kind of response). I am totally with you about adding another medication layer to the mix and yet pain is hard to tolerate. best wishes.