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How to address PMR pain while decreasing prednisone
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Nov 6, 2023 | Replies (747)Comment receiving replies
Glad to find somebody to compare different problems with Polymialgia.I was diagnosed over four Years ago,it started as an uncomforable pain i tought came for the Fact i was on Vacation.Not my Mattress etc. I started on a high dose of predison and now i am at 2.5 twice a day. My Dr. tells me i will never get of Predison.Intersting reading different Symptoms.My Pain is somewhat under Controll but i have severe pain in my right Arm.This is the same Problem i had in the beginning but my Dr. tells me it is Carpel Tunnel Sindrom,I had a Cortison Shot by a different Dr but the Pain returned.
Also i also have a recuring Bladder Infection that nobody can explaine.I wonder also if anybody has thinning of the Skin,mostly the Arms.The slightes bump gives me a nasty bruise.Going near a Rosebush is out of the Question.As for the Question about Alcohol,i drink very little,seem to have lost my tast.Hope to hear more of your Ideas,always glad for the Information.Judy
Replies to "Glad to find somebody to compare different problems with Polymialgia.I was diagnosed over four Years ago,it..."
I have the same skin problem, and at first seemed to be bumping into everything I passed, which made it worse. Now I am more careful and balance is better, except when I become very tired. Sorry about the bladder infection. I just need to go more often than I used to. I've got in the habit of not ever passing up a bathroom, when I am out. Even if I din't particularly feel the urge.
Thanks for sharing your story, Peanuts. My Doctor, like yours, told me that I would be on Prednisone the rest of my life. That was in 1999 and perhaps that was the prevailing theory then. I started tapering off Prednisone last summer and by early Feb, this year, was off it completely. Slowly and steadily though, my PMR symptoms returned... the stiffness in the AM, the inability to get into a crouch position, the impossibility to sit down without reaching for things to grab onto... many symptoms, as everyone here knows. So, last week I started on 5 mgs again. Most of my pain has diminished. Like you I also had pain in my right arm (not one of my usual symptoms of PMR) and believe that it could be Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. In the AM I cannot make a fist with my right hand either; is that the same for you? I also had very painful calves which I now believe is a separate issue... poor circulation. Thanks to @johnbishop who suggested I use Compression Stockings; that has been a huge help. It is such a great feeling to see progress. Carina
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Hi Judy @peanuts1, I see you have been a member for awhile but this is your first post. I would like to welcome you to Mayo Clinic Connect and thank you for sharing your symptoms and treatments. Interesting that your doctor would tell you that you will never get off of prednisone. Is your doctor a rheumatologist? I was first diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) in 2007 and placed on 20 mg prednisone dosage. It took me 3 years before I was able to taper off of prednisone with minimal pain. My PMR stayed in remission for 6 years before coming back in 2016. Again I started on 20 mg prednisone but was able to taper off in about a year and a half when my PMR went into remission again. I also have carpal tunnel syndrome in my hands but It doesn't cause me much pain so far.
I also have thin skin and bruise easily which I mostly attribute to my old age (75). I do have thin bones (osteoperosis) which I think is a side effect of the prednisone. Mayo Clinic has some information on thin skin here:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/expert-answers/thin-skin/faq-20057753
You mentioned that your pain is mostly under control except you have some pain in your right arm and the doctor thought it was carpal tunnel syndrome. This site might help explain it and offer some possible insight.
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/
Have you discussed trying to taper off prednisone with your doctor? That was the number one goal given to me by my rheumatologist even though he mentioned some people may never be able to completely taper off of prednisone.
John