PMR and hump on back and chest

Posted by sheri2337 @sheri2337, Jun 5, 2022

One month ago I was diagnosed with PMR which came on after COViD vaccines. I am only 55. My CRP was very high. I was put on 60 mg of prednisone because of risk and symptoms of GCA. The biopsy was negative and the steroids have been tapered to 8 mg currently. After two weeks I had a hump form on my back and now this week I have them on my neck and chest and upper collar bone. I am so upset by this. My dr plans to have me down to 1 mg in 10 weeks barring any flare ups. I have two kids getting married in September and November. Do these humps go away quickly? I work out consistently and continue to lift weights. I just can’t believe this is happening!

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

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jun 5, 2022

Welcome @sheri2337, I have had two occurrences of PMR but both were treated with a starting dosage of 20mg prednisone. I've read that high doses of prednisone can cause symptoms similar to what you describe.

"Symptoms of Cushing's syndrome may include: weight gain in the face, abdomen and chest; wasting of the limbs; a fatty hump between the shoulders ..." -- Hormones – cortisol and corticosteroids: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/Hormones-cortisol-and-corticosteroids

Exogenous Cushing's syndrome secondary to intermittent high dose oral prednisone for presumed asthma exacerbations in the setting of multiple emergency department visits: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214624517300059

Do you mind sharing a little more about your symptoms of PMR with GCA?

sheri2337 | @sheri2337 | Jun 5, 2022

In reply to @johnbishop "Welcome @sheri2337, I have had two occurrences of PMR but both were treated with a starting..." + (show)

Thanks for the info. I had severe pain in shoulders and hips. Terrible at night. I also had some scalp tenderness and tingling and pain in left temple but the biopsy was negative. I’ve had bouts of neuralgia on the left side of my head and I have TMJ so I’m chalking the tenderness and pain up to that.