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PMR and Sciatica with Back Pain
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Feb 10 9:56am | Replies (40)Comment receiving replies
I'm 85 and have always been very active. 7 months ago I was riding my bike, walking, jogging, and shot the lowest round of golf in my life. 6 1/2 months ago I started on my journy with PMR. I have had a few scaitic problems over the last 3 years, but have gotten them to go away with basic excersises. 3 months ago my scaitic begain to give me problems again, but this time, my own exercising, and then physical therapy, didn't seem to be making a difference. Although, they help for that day, the next morning starts it all over again. Acetaminophen keeps it tolerable, especially on golf days and before I go walking. But without it, I can barely walk.
I'm on 10mg perdisone, and should drop to 7.5 this week. Not sure if I should be more aggressive with the sciatic problem, like taking a shot, or something. Or just ride it out, with the hope I can get rid of PMR and then scaitic along with it.
My PMR symptoms have almost gone away. Over the last 30 days, I have had 2 mornings that my upper body stiffness was there for the first 10 minutes or so.
All input would be welcome.
Replies to "I'm 85 and have always been very active. 7 months ago I was riding my bike,..."
Dropping 2.5 mg from 10 mg of prednisone sounds kind of risky to me. I have GCA and PMR, and I've been receiving treatment for a little over 7 months. In addition to prednisone I also take weekly Actemra injections. I dropped from 10 mg of prednisone to 9 a week and a half ago, and I had a couple of bad days that concerned me. I felt really flat those days, like I had been hit by a truck. But I have felt better since then, so I'm going to drop another mg later this week. I'm supposed to taper 1 mg every 2 weeks, but I might have to adjust that plan.
On a side note, I haven't had any symptoms of GCA or PMR since I started treatment 7 months ago.
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Hello @gman254 this is a more recent conversation about back pain that is now of interest to me . https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cortisone-injection-while-taking-prednisone/
I am in 'sustained recovery' from PMR .
I have a history of low back and cervical spine issues , and I already have an MRI of the lumbar spine from March of last year ( long story about that).
Shoveling snow about 3 weeks ago might have started the ball rolling this time : ( I've been managing with Motrin, flexeril and Tylenol 8hr for last 15 days. Now that I'm retired I don't have to figure out out to sit and drive to work anymore , so I am taking it slow. I will see a physiatrist tomorrow and thanks to @linda7 , I might not to be too afraid of having a cortisone shot.
I do wonder if while on higher doses of Prednisone in 2023 I was too aggressive while gardening by moving rocks and digging !