Just come home from my monthly maintenance visit to my treasured chiropractor (it was she who diagnosed my PMR before I even got to see a doctor) and while she was working on my wreck of a body, I asked her to try to explain to me the difference (if any) between pain and stiffness.
She explained to me that now I am being treated with steroids (just got down to 9mg from 15mg in 6 months) that my muscles are not inflamed as they would be as a result of physical trauma but the muscles and joints are all extremely stiff as a result of the condition, and it is that stiffness which is causing the pain.
She added that in the case of pain caused by inflammation, ice packs would be recommended to help reduce the inflammation and thus relieve the associated pain. But in the case of PMR, where the pain is the result of stiff muscles and joints, the application of cold packs would cause the muscles and joint to become even stiffer. For PMR, the application of heat in the form of a heated wheat bag or similar will bring relief by easing the stiffness and thus the pain. That checks out, as when my pain is really bad and pain killers are not being very effective, my much used microwaveable Beddy Bear is very comforting.
So those of you who are lucky enough to fly away to warm climes, carry on – you are doing exactly the right thing! 
Hope this contributes to the pain v stiffness debate and for all our sakes, roll on the Spring and some warm weather. From my window I can see herons busy nesting in the nearby heronry and the birds in the garden are singing louder and staking out territory so Spring really is just around the corner!
Jayeeh
Hello Jayhee
That sounds a very concise explanation from your chiropractor to our recent debate on pain v stiffness and thank you for sharing that with us. I do so agree with heat being helpful with PMR.....I don't know what I'd do without the shower and the hot water bottle, the two things I'd most want to take with me to my desert island (if only!).....probably wouldn't need them there though!!!
MrsO
Jayhee
Thanks for the explaination which makes sense.
I originally raised the issue because I made the mistake of telling my consultant that it was the pain that was making me stiff rather than the other way round and this raised some doubt in her mind as to whether I have PMR or not. I am sure we would all describe our symptoms differently and how are we to know which is the cause and which the effect beats me because they are both just distressing symptoms of PMR.
What I do know is that a really hot bath is great for this condition as is a hot water bottle as Mrs O says.
My steroid injection of last Monday has yet again proved that I do have PMR because I am now 90% clear of all symptoms and life is GREAT again. Long may it last :D
Regards
Bob
Bob
Fantastic to hear how well you are feeling after what you have been through. Great news...keep it up!
MrsO
Yes pleased to hear you are doing better Bob I too am feeling Ok (fingers crossed) at the moment still on my increased dose of 15mg though Yes this warmth thing is interesting as several of us seem to have had a bit of a relapse in this cold weather I too love my microwavable wheat bag !! and sometimes my hot water bottle as well !! I have now started to wrap up a lot more when I go out Never worn so many clothes !! and our heating bills are rather high also !! Cant wait for some warm weather