1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Heating pad or ice pack

Posted by floridalinda @floridalinda, Jul 6 1:46pm

I’m having a major flare with arm/shoulder pain and thigh pain. Prednisone up to 20 mg from5 (was hoping to taper off in a few weeks).
Trying to find relief—seems like heat works better than cold but not much better. Any experience with one or the other?

Linda

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jlo2252 | @jlo2252 | Jul 21 5:10pm

Just to add to my last post, the NSAID cream, diclofenac (volatarin) is only meant for smaller joints like wrists, hands , elbows and knees, etc. Not for use on back, hips and shoulder or any other large area. It comes with a measuring ruler to measure out the right dose.

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megz | @megz | Jul 21 8:37pm
In reply to @jlo2252 "That’s the first time I have heard this med is same as diclofenac, an NSAID cream..." + (show)
@jlo2252

That’s the first time I have heard this med is same as diclofenac, an NSAID cream that I avoid because I also do not touch most NSAID’s. They are not the same drug, chemically. The brand name for diclofenac is Volataren, Trolamine is in the aspirin family of drugs which don’t seem to bother me. These are two different medications that may also contain similar inactive ingredient’s, but active ingredient is very different.

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Aha, you're right about diclofenac and trolamine salicylate. My confusion came from a different product list which included both, and I read it as being another name for the same thing. Sorry about that. I'm probably not able now to edit the original comment so I hope it doesn't mislead anyone.

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1 reply
jlo2252 | @jlo2252 | Jul 22 4:24am
In reply to @megz "Aha, you're right about diclofenac and trolamine salicylate. My confusion came from a different product list..." + (show)
@megz

Aha, you're right about diclofenac and trolamine salicylate. My confusion came from a different product list which included both, and I read it as being another name for the same thing. Sorry about that. I'm probably not able now to edit the original comment so I hope it doesn't mislead anyone.

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You did good when you clarified your statement.
Thank you. I always find your contributions to this group interesting and helpful 🙂

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jlo2252 | @jlo2252 | Jul 22 4:28am
In reply to @jfannarbor "I find a hot tub for 20 minutes to be helpful. I often wonder why does..." + (show)
@jfannarbor

I find a hot tub for 20 minutes to be helpful. I often wonder why does heat help? Does anyone know on a physiologic basis why heat helps?

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I envy anyone who has a home jacuzzi— it would really help your muscles and joints!

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sandmason | @sandmason | Jul 26 9:59am
In reply to @megz "In the 2 months of pain before diagnosis and starting on prednisolone I was sure that..." + (show)
@megz

In the 2 months of pain before diagnosis and starting on prednisolone I was sure that natural treatment would fix it, and tried a long hot bath. The pain was so much worse after the hot soak that I couldn't get out of the bath. It took a long time to gradually crawl onto the edge of the bath and work out how to slide down to the floor from there. Then came the problem of getting up. Even though now on prednisolone, I'm not game to try another bath. Microwave wheat heat bags for various sore muscles has helped.

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I had the pleasure of going to a nearby hot spring recently. It's a rare one with lithium, also clothing optional. The landscaping is like the Garden of Eden, and there are many pools.
There is one that's 112 degrees, almost impossible to get in unless one uses the sauna first. I did manage to get in and stay in, then I was able to get into the ice cold pool too. That was amazing!
Can't say if the heat or the ice helped more but I stayed there for four hours for just $24 and felt tons better!

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1 reply
jlo2252 | @jlo2252 | Jul 26 10:10am
In reply to @sandmason "I had the pleasure of going to a nearby hot spring recently. It's a rare one..." + (show)
@sandmason

I had the pleasure of going to a nearby hot spring recently. It's a rare one with lithium, also clothing optional. The landscaping is like the Garden of Eden, and there are many pools.
There is one that's 112 degrees, almost impossible to get in unless one uses the sauna first. I did manage to get in and stay in, then I was able to get into the ice cold pool too. That was amazing!
Can't say if the heat or the ice helped more but I stayed there for four hours for just $24 and felt tons better!

Jump to this post

Wow! 😮 Four hours for $24 was a real bargain for sure!! I know we have some places in California, but I’m sure they are not that reasonable! Go whenever you can/- like you said, it feels good and Is beneficial! 🥰❤️💕

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