Two weeks ago possibly diagnosed with PMR by my renal consultant. I have renal failure. It gave me a glimmer of hope as the pain I have been suffering is excruciating and this has been getting worse over 6 months. Had MRI on. Ankle only which showed I had been walking about with a broken ankle for months so I have a high pain threshold. However this pain is different because as well as the symptoms imentioned in the forum I get shooting pains down my thighs like an electric shock and I stumble and let out a yell - severe pain. How I have not fallen I have no idea. I was a very active person until 6 weeks ago, swim every morning, yoga twice weekly, tai chi and walking. This had made my life unbearable. Put on 20mg prednisolone once daily and find a very little relief-that was 2weeks ago. See a rheumatologist next wed. so hopefully will get some answers. I cannot go on. Does anyone have these shooting pains down the thighs? Please help
Hi Marjorie, I'm sorry you're having such an awful time. I wonder whether the pains are connected to your broken ankle - referred pain?
I hope your Rheumatologist is able to help you, good luck.
Unfortunately not as I have pains in shoulders, arms and legs but worst is the shooting pain in thighs, right worse than left, cannot lift my left arm so cannot swim and right thumb is strained. I thought the same as you. Thanks for quick response
One of the diagnostic tools for PMR is a near miracle response to steroids. As you haven't had that response then perhaps the pain you are experiencing could be something else masquerading as PMR, it does happen.
The shooting pains you describe are familiar to me, but mine are caused by nerve damage. I would suggest you keep a daily diary from now until you see the rheumatologist and include anything which is relevant - how you are feeling, pain levels, what makes it worse, what things help, etc.etc.
It does make the first appointment easier, it's so easy to omit relevant info if you go in unrehearsed. It might also pay you to make a note of any specific questions you need to ask.
I do hope you are feeling better soon and that you have a good appointment.
Thanks Nefret I also think something to do with nerve damage. Can anything be done for that? Have printed off papers and questions ready as I really need answers. Had MRI on spine but no result yet -should get that next week. Think there is a few things going on but need help. Thanks
Yes, there are meds which can be prescribed for neuro pain, but you may find that the MRI will answer some problems. Physio is also good for nerve pain as it helps build up muscle around the site.
Yes, I agree with Nefret about the diagnosis - a criterion for PMR is a dramatic improvement in the symptoms within a week, at least 70% better. PMR isn't the disease - it is the symptoms of an underlying problem and there are several reasons, some less complex than others. It is very common for late onset rheumatoid arthritis to appear almost identical to PMR but the response to steroids is not as definite.
I had shooting pains like that when I was in hospital a couple of years ago - I'd had them very occasionally and not as bad before but these were much much worse - and I get something similar now but again nowhere near as bad. The doctors were stumped.
However, I also had a back problem and the pain specialist I went to for that, an anaesthetist as it happens, said you can have that sort of pan with myofascial pain syndrom. This forms what they call trigger points in shoulders, back and lower back - hard knots of inflamed muscle fibres. These affect nearby nerves and can cause referred pain - from the shoulders into the neck and arms, from the mid back into the ribs, often mistaken for cardiac pain, and into the thighs and buttocks from the lower back. Mine was dealt with by cortisone injections into the trigger points, manual mobilisation of the trigger points and massage. It took some time but has been worth it. I had what I thought was a flare over Christmas - but it was caused by a wisdom tooth continuing to come though and being higher than the tooth next to it. That affected the way I was biting and that, in turn, caused awful shoulder and neck muscle problems which then affected my entire back! Tooth removed - all gone pain!!!!!
I have noticed stabbing pains every so often in abdomen, side of back, leg and/or ankle muscles, rib areas, and arm muscles. Don't last really long but definitely stabbing shock at time. You or others with PMR experience the same?
Thank you so so much. I feel I am not alone in this miasma of pain.
Only on thighs and shoulders and arm(s)'but I am sure it affects people differently.. Good to hear differing experiences and, as I say, not sure it is pmr yet.
Not sure either. Scheduled for Rhumi doc on 9/3/2014; referred by regular internist. I had seen the specialist in May 1999 but could not take pred because caused serious mania of aggressive, belligerent behavior with my bipolar disorder. Doctored about two years and symptoms went away. Was put on NSAIDs for a time but was contra indicated to the lithium I was taking at the time and landed in hospital with lithium toxicity in May 2001. Regular doctor had not checked out contra symptoms for NSAIDs and lithium. My symptoms came back on June 13 this year. Feel the same as I did in 1999. Aching muscles, joints, stiffness in neck, shoulders, back across hip line, legs and great fatigue and low grade fever by end of day. Am 66 now, F was in 50's and regular doctor wonders if it really was PMR first time around? My 8 yo older sister was doctoring for same thing at same time with different doctor. It also lasted about two years with her.
For what its worth - I have had a bladder infection for about three years,
taking antibiotics often. When I began taking prednisone for PMR I stopped
having bladder infections altogether. Someone on the forum was told that
prednisone reduced inflammation of the bladder wall,so I presume this
prevented ecoli from attaching. This is my experience and not in anyway
advice. Good Luck.
Hi Eileen,
You seem extremely knowledgeable about PMR etc. and I saw the rheumy doc yesterday and suggested myofascial pain syndrome as I think you are right and this is more like what I experience with the lightening pain(s) in my thighs. He didn't know about it so I enlightened him but he said "we don't do that here". However upped pred to 25mg and did a host of X-rays, blood tests and going for another MRI scan also dexa scan. See him again in 5 weeks. Everything takes so long! Bad day yesterday with pain but better day today. Feel all my confidence has gone. Not like me.
Bad enough dealing with dialysis without all this pain. I do hope there is some answer at the end of it all. Had booked a massage but was told to wait to make sure I had no other broken bones. These forums are a lifeline for us ordinary mortals. I have helped people on dialysis forums so know just how good they are.
Thank you.
Hi Marjorie ,
i have those shooting pains too. After a CAT scan it showed severe disc issues causing pinched nerves causing my leg pain.
Best of luck to u. 
Tanks for your information and I sympathise with you hope4you.