1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Sharp pain in hands on certain movements. PMR-related?

Posted by amvp @amvp, Jan 22 7:57am

I saw a chiropractor on Friday, as for some months I have woken up with bilateral stiffness and pain in my shoulders and hips and, since last week, I have also woken up with pain in my neck. The chiropractor suspects I have PMR. She recommended that I see my GP. I saw my GP today and will get blood results tomorrow and a prescription for steroids if necessary. As well as the symptoms that point pretty clearly to PMR, I get hand pain. Years ago I had carpal tunnel surgery on both hands and the pain is similar but in a different location. It is in the “salt cellar” of both hands and the stabbing pain occurs on certain movements. These are hard to identify and also hard to describe but, one example is the stretching that happens between the thumb and other fingers when lifting a toddler. Any comments on whether this sounds PMR-related would be helpful. Thank you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

nancy53 | @nancy53 | Jan 27 10:09am
In reply to @sandysomers "Hello. I recently joined this forum and it's been such a great resource. I've only been..." + (show)
@sandysomers

Hello. I recently joined this forum and it's been such a great resource. I've only been dealing with this debilitating condition for a little over 2 months (feels like a lifetime). I WAS a healthy and active 66 yo. Once I get this into remission (or better yet, kick it to the curb) I'll never take that for granted again. I work on my computer for many hours a day and was so grateful that my hands and wrists were not affected. Well that all changed today. I'm experiencing a tsunami of symptoms since yesterday - both increased steroid side effects and about a 6-7 on the pain scale for shoulders, arms, hips, groin (the usual suspects). BUT today I also have pain/stiffness in my neck, lower back, forearms and wrists. Going to increase my Medrol for now and hope it all calms down.

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I relate to your tale of woe entirely -my journey almost mirrors yours entirely.

I'm on 20mg of Prednisone daily and it has kept the pain at bay. Hot, hot showers help!

Here's to remission!

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1 reply
sandysomers | @sandysomers | Jan 28 8:41am
In reply to @johnbishop "My first time with PMR lasted 3 and half years with the last six months going..." + (show)
@johnbishop

My first time with PMR lasted 3 and half years with the last six months going back and forth between 1/2 mg and 1 mg prednisone until I could finally taper off. It stayed in remission for 6 years and then I started again on 20 mg and it only took 1 and half years to taper off. I've been in remission going on 6 years again so I'm hoping it doesn't come back. I think my second occurrence was shorter due to some lifestyle changes I made, eating healthier, more exercise and losing some weight. I try to ride my stationary bike which is actually a recumbent cross trainer (Teeter FreeStep). The search function at the top of the window searches all of Connect and not just discussion titles so you might find that quite helpful if you are trying to find more specific information. Good luck on your PMR journey!

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Thank you for sharing. When my rheumatologist told me to plan on steroids for a minimum of a year, possibly 2-3 years I was shocked. I actually thought I'd prove him wrong and be done in months! Good for you for making the lifestyle changes that made your 2nd bout shorter. Thanks for the Teeter recommendation. My spinner bike is very uncomfortable now so I may replace it.

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sandysomers | @sandysomers | Jan 28 9:01am
In reply to @nancy53 "I relate to your tale of woe entirely -my journey almost mirrors yours entirely. I'm on..." + (show)
@nancy53

I relate to your tale of woe entirely -my journey almost mirrors yours entirely.

I'm on 20mg of Prednisone daily and it has kept the pain at bay. Hot, hot showers help!

Here's to remission!

Jump to this post

Yes, here's to very long and very hot showers! Before diagnosis and steroids someone suggested regular hot tub use. I laughed. . . there's no way I would have been able to get in and out of a hot tub, or any tub for that matter. Even now it would be challenging and probably very funny to watch! I hope you're able to reduce the prednisone soon and that remission is not far off.

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1 reply
jiffaw | @jiffaw | Jan 28 9:49am
In reply to @chrissieg "My PMR started in the “heel” of both hands - the side opposite the thumb &..." + (show)
@chrissieg

My PMR started in the “heel” of both hands - the side opposite the thumb & below the wrist. It was quite painful for a few weeks before the other areas flared. My rheumatologist told me I was the 2nd case he’d spoken to recently whose PMR had started there. I’ve also had bursitis of both knees recently & read that 100% of PMR sufferers have bursitis in at least one area of their body with this condition. All pretty debilitating & life changing until it’s under control. Good luck with your diagnosis - have to say it sounds classic PMR.

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My PMR started as carpal tunnel in my right hand and wrist. I thought it was due to some painting I was doing in my house. It subsided for a while then I woke up one night with aching in my biceps and shoulders. I have not been able to make a fist with my right hand since and the pain is always there in my biceps. Stiffness and aching has spread to my shoulders and pelvic girdle. My left hand and bicep is stiff and aches also but I can at least brush my teeth with this hand. I am dependent on my husband for almost everything else.
Five days ago I finally got diagnosed (actually I diagnosed myself) by my GP and she was willing to start me on 15 mg of Prednisone. It’s helped with some of the stiffness and aching but my right hand is still useless and aches at night along with my right bicep with milder symptoms on my left. My doctor has referred me to a rheumatologist but I may have to wait awhile to be seen. She prescribed gabapentin for my carpal tunnel pain and I’m scheduled to see an orthopedist next week about my inability to close my right hand.
This has turned my life upside down. I’m a 74 year old woman who was active and busy and hardly ever got sick. I’ve kept up with all my vaccinations and have cooked my own nutritious food. I’m worried and depressed about my condition. I’m glad I found this site to read other people’s journeys through this terrible debilitating disease.

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3 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 28 2:00pm
In reply to @jiffaw "My PMR started as carpal tunnel in my right hand and wrist. I thought it was..." + (show)
@jiffaw

My PMR started as carpal tunnel in my right hand and wrist. I thought it was due to some painting I was doing in my house. It subsided for a while then I woke up one night with aching in my biceps and shoulders. I have not been able to make a fist with my right hand since and the pain is always there in my biceps. Stiffness and aching has spread to my shoulders and pelvic girdle. My left hand and bicep is stiff and aches also but I can at least brush my teeth with this hand. I am dependent on my husband for almost everything else.
Five days ago I finally got diagnosed (actually I diagnosed myself) by my GP and she was willing to start me on 15 mg of Prednisone. It’s helped with some of the stiffness and aching but my right hand is still useless and aches at night along with my right bicep with milder symptoms on my left. My doctor has referred me to a rheumatologist but I may have to wait awhile to be seen. She prescribed gabapentin for my carpal tunnel pain and I’m scheduled to see an orthopedist next week about my inability to close my right hand.
This has turned my life upside down. I’m a 74 year old woman who was active and busy and hardly ever got sick. I’ve kept up with all my vaccinations and have cooked my own nutritious food. I’m worried and depressed about my condition. I’m glad I found this site to read other people’s journeys through this terrible debilitating disease.

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Welcome @jiffaw, PMR can definitely turn your life upside down even if you are not an active person. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with anti-inflammatory foods and exercise definitely help as long as you don't overdo the exercise part. I was started at 20 mg prednisone for both my occurrences of PMR and it pretty much took care of all of my pain within a few hours until the next morning's dose. I also have carpal tunnel that hasn't gotten a lot better over the years but it's not bad enough to consider surgery. I have had a cortizone shot a few years ago which helped.

Have you discussed the possibility of the carpal tunnel being a separate issue from the PMR with your doctor or rheumatologist? Or maybe even bumping up the initial dose of prednisone since the average starting dose is 15 to 25 mg prednisone and we are all different.

REPLY
1 reply
megz | @megz | Jan 28 4:51pm
In reply to @jiffaw "My PMR started as carpal tunnel in my right hand and wrist. I thought it was..." + (show)
@jiffaw

My PMR started as carpal tunnel in my right hand and wrist. I thought it was due to some painting I was doing in my house. It subsided for a while then I woke up one night with aching in my biceps and shoulders. I have not been able to make a fist with my right hand since and the pain is always there in my biceps. Stiffness and aching has spread to my shoulders and pelvic girdle. My left hand and bicep is stiff and aches also but I can at least brush my teeth with this hand. I am dependent on my husband for almost everything else.
Five days ago I finally got diagnosed (actually I diagnosed myself) by my GP and she was willing to start me on 15 mg of Prednisone. It’s helped with some of the stiffness and aching but my right hand is still useless and aches at night along with my right bicep with milder symptoms on my left. My doctor has referred me to a rheumatologist but I may have to wait awhile to be seen. She prescribed gabapentin for my carpal tunnel pain and I’m scheduled to see an orthopedist next week about my inability to close my right hand.
This has turned my life upside down. I’m a 74 year old woman who was active and busy and hardly ever got sick. I’ve kept up with all my vaccinations and have cooked my own nutritious food. I’m worried and depressed about my condition. I’m glad I found this site to read other people’s journeys through this terrible debilitating disease.

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What kind of paint were you using? In my 40's I painted the floor of a room with xylene to seal bricks and in a day or two came down with terrible pain in my hands, wrists and shoulders. I got to the doctor quickly and he prescribed Celebrex, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) which took 2-3wks to get rid of the pain. At the time I knew it was caused by the xylene as I felt nauseous, weak and dizzy after painting the first coat, and the joint pain followed a day or two later. Like you, I initially thought the pain was due to the exertion of painting, but the pain was on both sides, not just the arm I used to paint.

The doctor said he hadn't heard of such a reaction, but I knew it had caused it. I later found it is a documented reaction to xylene. I still have the tin of xylene in the shed, but the second room will never have the floor sealed. No way.

Some of us likely have PMR from exposure to a new toxin of some kind, either inhaled or consumed. And I do wonder if quick action to reduce the inflammation may stop the ailment from settling in. These days we are made to wait ages to see a doctor and get treatment of any kind.

REPLY
nancy53 | @nancy53 | Jan 29 9:35am
In reply to @sandysomers "Yes, here's to very long and very hot showers! Before diagnosis and steroids someone suggested regular..." + (show)
@sandysomers

Yes, here's to very long and very hot showers! Before diagnosis and steroids someone suggested regular hot tub use. I laughed. . . there's no way I would have been able to get in and out of a hot tub, or any tub for that matter. Even now it would be challenging and probably very funny to watch! I hope you're able to reduce the prednisone soon and that remission is not far off.

Jump to this post

Right again on the hot tub suggestion. I have a friend with a big swim spa. It's heated to 95 degrees and has multiple jets. It also has a 5' ladder to negotiate! No way can I do that anymore with PMR.

My new PT location has a walk in, warm water pool. Only caveat is that they can't see me until February 22nd. So I wait, and deplete my hot water tank.

Patience has never been my strong suit, but I certainly have been exercising it lately.

Best wishes to all that our PMR journeys will end with remissions SOON!

REPLY
sandysomers | @sandysomers | Jan 30 7:56am

Ha, I can so relate. I lack patience as well and this has really tested me.

Thank you for your post. I immediately Googled PT with water therapy after reading your post. I had no idea there was such a place, let alone 1/2 mile from home! I'm sorry you have to wait weeks for your first appointment , I was able to get in next week. I'll report back.

Wishing all a hopeful day!

REPLY
sandysomers | @sandysomers | Jan 30 8:50am
In reply to @jiffaw "My PMR started as carpal tunnel in my right hand and wrist. I thought it was..." + (show)
@jiffaw

My PMR started as carpal tunnel in my right hand and wrist. I thought it was due to some painting I was doing in my house. It subsided for a while then I woke up one night with aching in my biceps and shoulders. I have not been able to make a fist with my right hand since and the pain is always there in my biceps. Stiffness and aching has spread to my shoulders and pelvic girdle. My left hand and bicep is stiff and aches also but I can at least brush my teeth with this hand. I am dependent on my husband for almost everything else.
Five days ago I finally got diagnosed (actually I diagnosed myself) by my GP and she was willing to start me on 15 mg of Prednisone. It’s helped with some of the stiffness and aching but my right hand is still useless and aches at night along with my right bicep with milder symptoms on my left. My doctor has referred me to a rheumatologist but I may have to wait awhile to be seen. She prescribed gabapentin for my carpal tunnel pain and I’m scheduled to see an orthopedist next week about my inability to close my right hand.
This has turned my life upside down. I’m a 74 year old woman who was active and busy and hardly ever got sick. I’ve kept up with all my vaccinations and have cooked my own nutritious food. I’m worried and depressed about my condition. I’m glad I found this site to read other people’s journeys through this terrible debilitating disease.

Jump to this post

I relate to your journey. I was a healthy and active 66 year old until PMR reared it's ugly head in mid-November.

After weeks of blood work to eliminate other diagnoses my GP started me on 20mg of Prednisone. That helped for one day only so she assumed it wasn't PMR. When I got in to a rheumatologist he said some PMR patients don't respond well to Prednisone. He started me on 8mg of Methylprednisolone (Medrol). Again, one good day and then worse than ever. He upped my dose to 48mg stepping down by 8mg every 2 days with the goal being down to 8mg after 10 days. I've had to stall at higher doses a bit to manage the pain/stiffness but for the most part I'm now on 8mg most days. All this is to say that every patient is different and you may need a higher dose for a short time to get your pain under control.

I hope you're able to get in to a rheumatologist soon. In my case it was a three month wait. I told scheduling I was in dire need and got on a waitlist for a cancellation. Thankfully, I was seen 10 days later!

Best to you in getting relief and regaining your independence.

REPLY
1 reply
jiffaw | @jiffaw | Jan 30 10:43am
In reply to @sandysomers "I relate to your journey. I was a healthy and active 66 year old until PMR..." + (show)
@sandysomers

I relate to your journey. I was a healthy and active 66 year old until PMR reared it's ugly head in mid-November.

After weeks of blood work to eliminate other diagnoses my GP started me on 20mg of Prednisone. That helped for one day only so she assumed it wasn't PMR. When I got in to a rheumatologist he said some PMR patients don't respond well to Prednisone. He started me on 8mg of Methylprednisolone (Medrol). Again, one good day and then worse than ever. He upped my dose to 48mg stepping down by 8mg every 2 days with the goal being down to 8mg after 10 days. I've had to stall at higher doses a bit to manage the pain/stiffness but for the most part I'm now on 8mg most days. All this is to say that every patient is different and you may need a higher dose for a short time to get your pain under control.

I hope you're able to get in to a rheumatologist soon. In my case it was a three month wait. I told scheduling I was in dire need and got on a waitlist for a cancellation. Thankfully, I was seen 10 days later!

Best to you in getting relief and regaining your independence.

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Good news. The Rheumatologist reviewed my urgent referral and will be seeing me next week. I continue to struggle with my right hand and arm (dominant) being stiff and achy and useless. I’m definitely going to check into PT with hot tub!
Craving something sweet. I’ve been good eating mostly citrus and apple with an occasional piece of dark chocolate. This miserable condition makes me want something comforting. However, I lost 40 pounds in the last 2 years and do not want to gain weight back.

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