PMR and Sciatica with Back Pain

Yes! Me, right now. What I called “hip” pain, my ( Nurse Anesthetist ) husband said Sciatica. I was on prednisone for a year and “ hip” pain started coming-back when I started tapering-off. Today, after suffering from ( hip) pain, and pain and stiffness in my upper arms, my rheumatologist started me back on a course of prednisone, starting at 20 mg. I am dismayed at having to start back, I was totally off for 3 weeks. I had lost 6 lbs., and b/p was back to normal. But this sciatica is so painful. I am 70, live on a farm and have things I need to do. This PMR has kept me from kayaking( can’t get out of the kayak, fly-fishing( trouble with stability walking on rocky banks, and going-out in the surf with my grandkids. ( Literally, could drown if I fell down). Also, on our farm, it’s difficult for me to handle sheep, which we raise. I can hardly get-up our stairs or out of chairs or cars. Hoping to get-by on Prayer, Prozac and Prednisone…..

@lmoross I had my first PMR flare shortly after I had been seriously ill with sepsis after a gallbladder surgery. That was 15 years ago. Have had flares again periodically, but I’ve had Covid 3 times and Flu once. I wouldn’t doubt there is a co-relation.

@gilbert56
I developed flu and then serious pneumonia after getting Actemra infusions for the PMR. The PMR went into remission but my immune system was severely weakened. I went septic with pneumonia and almost died. I have never been the same since. Lots of post complications like a collapsed lung, Afib, etc. The treatment actually ended up being worse for me than the initial PMR.
Best of wishes to you for good health!

@gilbert56
HI I have back pain, it goes from my coccyx then to my right hip . I can get a real heaviness in the whole of my hips in the morning. It is the top of my legs down to the back of my knees are stiff and I am literally doubled over . I am not sure of anything any more . My hypothyroidism is now hyper , so my white blood count has gone up . I have self managed my steroids since I went on them two and a half years ago ,I am down to 1mg. So tired of the weight up and down . That is the secret keep moving ,and don't give up.
Do you all think we are hoping one day someone is going to say EUREKA, I have done it :))
Best wishes , keep going everyone.

I have severe lower back pain accompanied by sciatica. Add in the PMR pain. Very difficult to not get depressed.

I was diagnosed with PMR 2 years ago, and 2 months after my scaitic started giving me problems. I have now been off prednisone for 2 months, but my back has deteriorated over the period. I have done PT, injections, aand more PT and more at home exercises. About 10 months ago it was decided that an operation would be the only cure.
You need to see a spine doctor and get an MRI and exrays to see how bad your back might be. In the mean time, go on the internet and look at the recommened sciatic exercises. You'll find that some help and some make it worse. Do the ones that help. Don't exercise or walk through the pain, as you may be making things worse in the long run. Since I was taking prednisone my surgeon wouldn't do the operation. But now that I over that I'm back on schedule. As far as the PMR pain. I had flare ups, and was told to go back up the tapering dose until the pain went away, and then continue the taper from there.
Two more things. Always have a plan. If you don't that brings on depression. And don't mess with your back. Go see how bad it really is, because in worse case, you can end up in a wheel chair with total incontinence.