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PMR: Anyone have Stress Fractures while on prednisone?
Anyone have any experience about having stress fractures while on prednisone? I was diagnosed with PMR almost 2 years ago. Started on 15 mgs. prednisone - had tapered down to 2 1/2 mgs of prednisone and boom - had a major flare that also seemed to involve my upper back. Went to rheumatologist today who upped my steroids back to 8 and is sending me for back xrays, mri and bone density scan. She is thinking that I have a stress fracture in T4 of my spine. Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks!
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@susan63, My PMR is currently in remission but I've had flares twice and started on 20 mg of prednisone. I haven't had any experience with spine stress fractures but hopefully other members with PMR can share their experience with you. I do have degenerative disk disease along with an undiagnosed suspected condition of camptocormia which makes it difficult to walk standing straight up. I did find some information that sounds like it could be related to your symptoms.
"Can polymyalgia rheumatica affect the spine?
Introduction. Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a common inflammatory disease in older people characterized by shoulder and/or pelvic girdle, and cervical and, occasionally, lumbar pain. Interspinous bursitis has been suggested as a potential cause of spinal symptoms." --- Interspinous bursitis is common in polymyalgia rheumatica, but is not associated with spinal pain: https://arthritis-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13075-014-0492-2
Can you provide an update after your back X-rays, MRI and bone density scan?
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3 ReactionsJust scheduled my MRI - first available appointment is not until June 25th - will get the xray and the bone density scan done next Tuesday. Will definitely update as soon as I know - thanks!
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2 Reactions@susan63 you may also be interested in this related discussion that @dermnurse68 started
- PMR, prednisone and bone health: Anyone taking Prolia? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/prolia-2/
I also look forward to hearing what you learn after your tests.
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4 ReactionsThank you. Going in this morning for my dexa scan and my x-rays. Still hoping a cancellation comes up so I can get in earlier for the MRI.
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1 ReactionI haven't had stress factures, but I've had Avascular Necrosis and had to have a shoulder replacement. I'm having lots of hip pain lately and I'm down to 3 ml of Prednisone. I see my Rheumatologist next week. Hopefully numbers are okay and I won't have to increase Prednisone.
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1 ReactionUpdate on the back issues - x-ray done, mri done, bone density scan done. The good news is that nothing is showing any type of fracture etc. Bone density is still holding at osteopenia (sp). The bad news is that the rheumatologist doesn't really know why that area of my back is hurting. Now tapering back down from the 8 mgs of prednisone that she upped to me. Right now I am at 7 - suppose to stay there for two weeks and then go to 6. And so .... Back isn't as bad as it was at the outset but it still isn't right. Primary care is no help. Going to try heat and stretching, etc. See rheumatologist again in 3 weeks.