PMR AND lower severe back pain ??

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi all, Ihope everyone is doing better.

My follow up from last mail, I have been on the 40mg of Pred now for 2 weeks, the Dr wanted me to take for 4 weeks, so half way there.

I was told I had PMR about 2 months ago, started on 20 mg Pred then when I got symptoms of GCA they put me on the 40mg a day.

My top half symptoms and hips and pain have eased, also no more temple headaches and sore scap. GCA . so it seems to be working for that.

My problems has been for about 3 weeks severe lower back pain, ( both sides of the gluteus maximus ) I can't stand more than 10 mins, or bend over even my bed. The spasm hit hard and I have to sit or lay down until they ease which is usually within a few minutes, but as soon as I get up within 10 mins they are back. Even standing at the kitchen sink I have to bend forward to ease pain. I have had a xray on my hips, all ok. I have had physio, and last week even had my 1st Bowen Therapy, which helped a little, and am going to try again next week. I do not want to take any strong pain meds for my back with all my other meds.

I can't walk more than 15 mins, and going crazy.

My question is" ? has anyone else experienced severe lower back pain while with PMR and taking the Pred? I would think if it was part of the PMR that the Pred would help also with that pain.? I also have Ostero Arthritis, but that seems to be under control.

My Physio thinks it's tense muscles, but working on them has not helped me much. 

I am seeing my Dr next week and will ask for further investigation, maybe MRI, SCAN, XRAY whatever they do.  

I would appreciate any feedback to my question.

Cheers Dea

2

This describes EXACTLY what I have! I thought I was the only one that had such a bad back since nobody else complains quite as much as I could!

Mine is so bad that I can't walk without pushing a trolly or pram (thankfully I have grandbabies or I'd have to push the border collie around and I'm not sure he'd like that too much!) And let's not forget that I'm only 52 and was doing triathlons prior to PMR!

I've been to a physio and have bad exersices, but they reduce me to tears. I also have a weekly massage - it's very painful and not for the fait hearted, but she's starting to loosen me up and I can move more freely for a few days afterwards and it's slowly geting better over time (went backwards recently when I went on holiday and sat in the car for days at a time).

I am going to admit that I take codeine/ paracetomol to deal with it.

3

I also have exactly the same lower back and buttocks pain. My worst enemy is picking things up off the ground. The RX gave me two hip shots toease pain but the hips are good and it did nothing for back pain. I find it hard to do anyting that involves walking or standing. I take Tramadol on really bad days.

4

Sorry about the horrible back pain some of you are having. I am stuck on my foot, leg pain, but appreciate how great it is to have this forum so you don't think you are going crazy!😊

 

5

I over did it with the move in lifting etc and was reducing at the same time. I truly was expecting a flare but i pulled through with just major muscle spasams, arm pains and back pains too.

I was fortunate that i could get in the water ever night to relax the muscles and help the swelling along with some wicked weed my doctor prescribed.

There were a couple of nights on my hands and knees going to the washroom but as i said between an occasional Tylenol 3 and the wicked stuff it sure helped. My back pain was the last to go.

When i told my rumi i take the occasional smoke she said yes it helps with pain and insomnia. Well why didn't she prescribe😬

Don't know if any of this helps.

Mariane

6

I really thought everyone was was almost pain free after prednisone treatment

My back pain is so unbearable at times

I do have medical weed but forgot about it

I usually ice it and stretch. We're definitely not alone in this disease 😟

7

Has your physio tried "dry needling"?  That is a technique, not acupuncture although I think it uses similar needles, which aims to reset the electrical supply (or something, not sure of the right expression) in spasmed muscles.  Not all physios will be trained in it, but it may be worth seeking out.

When I started physio during the winter I was given this as part of my treatment.  Recently I asked my therapist if she noticed any difference in my back.  She said when I started the muscles in my back were like bricks, but now they have a much more normal "tone".

8

My calves were like bricks last Fall and I had the dry needling...just one time..WOW...calves have not gotten that tight again, as log as I stretch!

9

Hi, Thank you for your reply. Can I ask if you had any back problems prior to PMR ....  and were is the pain ? what did your Physio say it was, muscle tightness? , I get lower back on both sides .

I hope the massage works for you also. Cheers Dea

10

Hi, Thanks for the reply, I am also thinking about that wicked stuff  It has to relax the spasm and help me sleep. Maybe once they start to reduce me from 40mg of Pred a day my back may get getter....

Cheers Dea

11

Thanks for the reply Jo, are you on Pred and what mg a day: I'm just curious to know as I am on 40mg a day at the moment and don't know why it does not help this pain>  I'm the same, I can't stand or walk for to long without pain spasm : 

Cheers Dea 

12

Hi Denise, I am still on the Pred treatment. did you have a bad back before the PMR and pred? 

I hope you are feeling better with it soon...

Cheers Dea

13

Hi, Thnaks for the reply. I had acupuncture which helped also for some time, but seems to come back again. My Physio also said I was like very tight when they started. I am at the moment getting a Holistic Treatment called Bowen Therapy which alines the body: So I will see how that works. She was concerned me being on the 40mg Pred a day for it to work sooner than later. But worth a try.

I hope you feel better soon.

Cheers Dea

14

Thanks, Dea.  I've been pretty good lately, although the last few days I feel my neck has been really tense and tight.  Fortunately I've an appointment on Tuesday, so can look forward to some relief.  The one time she did dry needling on my neck I started weeping, not so much from pain (it's only brief pinpricks after all) but it must have triggered some sort of nervous reaction.  It was ridiculous.  But I note she's not suggested it again.  Think I need it.  Will bring extra kleenex with me! redface

15

Hi Dea

I started on 20 mg of Pred 18 months ago. Within 2 weeks the pain was reduced by about 70% I have never been pain free and because I have pain in my hands and feet the Dr is still not sure if its PMR or RA. I believe just reading posts on the site that it takes a much higher dose for people with GCA to get releif but I thimk its the same for both. If the Pred does not give releif its time to look at an alternative diagnosis. Unfortunately this could take a long time so one has to be extremely patient. After about 6 months I was more relaxed about it all but still very frustrating. Try not to let it get you down. I swim or float around in the pool which seems to help keep the joints flexible and is relaxing. Joanne

16

Thanks Jo, I have another 1 half weeks on the 40mg Pred then blood, so I am hoping to ween down...  All other pain has gone with the PMR and GCA so far, just the back started, so you may be right, time to have a look at alternative diagnosis...

I am just starting to come to terms with it, I realize now after much study and this site that it's a life change now. I know it will be long term, I was told at least on pred for 2 years... That rocked me, not on this high dose I hope .... but I have slowly come to terms it's not going to just go away fast... I do have a pool here but a little cold now, summer will be here in a few months and I will be in the pool every day like before. I live in far North Queensland Australia  Great Summers

Thank you for your information,;   Cheers Dea

17

I had some lower back pain in the early days and then someone said - You are walking rather strange, like an old man - I realised I had changed my stance and was walking like a duck, and bend forward, so I tried walking but concentrating on standing upright (can take a few days) and over a short period I found relief.  Might be a change like mine when different muscles are used or in a different way?

18

Thanks for your information, you may be right, I do feel like my walk has changed, and the fact I'm not doing enough of it because of the pain. I will give this a try.

Cheers Dea

19

Hi. Sorry to hear of your pain but wanted to tell you i have been having this off and on since Dec.2014. Ifelland thought it was a bruised muscle but after 6 weeks it got worse even though i was having rehab therapy for total knee surgery. I wasaching in sholders and had low grade fever. Went back to rheumy as i had beeb in remisdion for 2 years. Yep it was back. And now i am like you back hurts in lumbar area so it is hard to stand in kitchen to cook breakfast. I wish I had codiene. Just wanted you to know you are not alone. I maytry massage. Thankyou

20

That's one reason Nordic walking helps - makes you stand up straight again!