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Horrible arm, shoulder, neck muscle pain...

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Posted 10/19/2009 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
Assuming this is from withdrawal from prednisone.  Taperred slowly and was fine when on it and when tapering - been off prednisone for two months and arm  muscle pain from pinky to pinky across my shoulders and both arms!  I put heat on and take Tylenol!  Doctor believes it will get better in time - anyone have this experience.  Hard to get around because I have two bad knees and now arms don't want to support a cane or my walker.

Thank goodness I don't need to hurry to the bathroom anymore - at least for now.

ElaineNY

Posted 10/19/2009 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Elaine -
Gosh, I am so sorry for your pain!!!!
I haven't experienced anything like that, but I have plenty of good old arthritis pain, so I can empathize some.
I believe I have seen other posts about post-pred pain. I hope some of those folks respond.
In the meantime, you're in my thoughts.
Posted 10/19/2009 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
I don't get too much pain in the arms, but I do get it in my upper back, and my neck, a lot. I thought it was due to me driving my truck so much, but even over the summer, which I NEVER work, I had bad neck pain. I could look to my right with no problem, but trying to look left killed. What I do is take 2 Aleve, every other day and the pain pretty much goes away. I know people with UC should not take it, but I have been using it since I was DX, and it has not affected me bad at all. I tried using a heating pad for it, and it made it much worse, so I went to my tried and true Aleve, and boom, 2hrs later, I was fine. So, I take that every other day now and my GI said if it works keep doing it, so I do. I don't know if it will work for you, but you can try. Us people in upstate NY gotta help each other out. I'm 7miles south of Syracuse, Manlius,NY, but my GI is down in Binghamton.     Dr Leslie Bank. A great GI doctor, and I know you're kinda inbetween DR's and Binghamton is not too far from ya. He is taking new people. I hope you start feeling better soon.
Posted 10/19/2009 1:36 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks sodbuster.  I remember you are from my "neck of the woods".  Binghamton is not so far but I am 30 miles north of Syracuse in the snow belt.  I would go to North Syracuse if I changed doctors.  Right now just hanging in with doctor in Albany.  He is willing to see me like every 4 months or so and confer with my primary care doctor.  I can have tests, scopes, etc. done through him. I send all test results to Albany.

I did try Motrin (which is much same as Aleve) and it messes with my IBS.  Tylenol works fairly well and heat is wonderful!  By the way this pain is mostly in upper arm muscles - does not feel at all like arthritis which I have in my knees and elbows.

Hope you are feeling well.

ElaineNY

Posted 10/19/2009 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
I have it there too. I don't know if it starts form the neck and works down, or in the arms and works it way up. I thought it might be the way I sleep, but I switch sleeping on my rioght side one night left the next, so who knows. Sometimes my brother jokes with me and says it's all in my mind, and I joke back and tell him I lost my mind in the divorce. His reply is always " it was a small settelment" tongue   Anyways, I'm glad the heat helps you, I wish it helped me, but as long as we each can find something that helps us out, can only be a good thing. I hope you start feeling better
Posted 10/19/2009 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like a disc problem.
Posted 10/19/2009 2:08 AM (GMT 0)

Dr. A - that came to my mind also.  Both arms and neck pain is muscular and hurts on the side of my hands.  I know you are a chiropractor.  Would I see a neurologist, rheumy or ?  My primary care NP and gastro doctor thought is was from prednisone and take the "wait and see" attitude which is fine.  BUT - how long do I wait?

ElaineNY

Posted 10/19/2009 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
Elaine, I get this too. Sometimes everything from one hand to the other and from the middle back of my head to my shoulder blades just feels like I've been run over by a truck. (Sodbuster, was that you that ran over me???) It starts in my shoulders and neck, then my whole upper body goes rigid to protect the back.

I do take Naproxen, and I layer Tylenol over it when this happens. If the weather is bad, it'll sometimes become a vicious cycle that goes on and on; then I can't sleep because of the pain and I hurt more because I'm not getting any rest. When that happens I take a muscle relaxant and lie down. Usually one or two doses will break that cycle and allow me to start stretching to ease the rigidity.

I don't know if it's related to the UC or not. I do know in my case I had MRI of my back and neck and there was no disc problem.
Posted 10/19/2009 2:21 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks.  Sounds like could be similar.  I have never in my 69 years had to take a muscle relaxant but imagine they would put me to sleep for sure.  I am very sensitive to all medications.  Naproxen makes me sick too!  I put BenGay on for sleep - helps enough to relax and get some sleep.  Main pain is in the muscles of both arms but mostly right.  I had a problem with my rotator cuff years ago and had physical therapy but that was only one arm and not really same pain.

ElaineNY

Posted 10/19/2009 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
THis may have crossed the medical advice line so I'll delete it myself. Just trying to help. : )

Pred could have been masking some of those symptoms, so unless you just can't use the arms, I may let it wait until your adrenals can kick back in and help out with the cortisol levels.
Posted 10/19/2009 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
Dr. A - thanks so much - you said..

Pred could have been masking some of those symptoms, so unless you just can't use the arms, I may let it wait until your adrenals can kick back in and help out with the cortisol levels.

I forgot how good my body felt taking prednisone for 5 months - arthritis in joints nearly gone - you are so right - could have been there all along.  I am obese, use a cane or walker and maybe that is one reason for this happening.  Do you know how long before adrenals kick back in.  No one seems to have an answer on how long I should wait. I don't mind going to doctors, having tests, etc. but it is cold and snow is coming and appointments can be hard to come by.  I would not mind a chiropractor but would like to be sure I have a good one who knows what he is doing.  My husband had a woman once who just took his money!

 We have a lot of them around here. 

ElaineNY

Posted 10/20/2009 12:07 AM (GMT 0)

kops2da said...
Dr. A - thanks so much - you said..


Pred could have been masking some of those symptoms, so unless you just can't use the arms, I may let it wait until your adrenals can kick back in and help out with the cortisol levels.



I forgot how good my body felt taking prednisone for 5 months - arthritis in joints nearly gone - you are so right - could have been there all along. I am obese, use a cane or walker and maybe that is one reason for this happening. Do you know how long before adrenals kick back in. No one seems to have an answer on how long I should wait. I don't mind going to doctors, having tests, etc. but it is cold and snow is coming and appointments can be hard to come by. I would not mind a chiropractor but would like to be sure I have a good one who knows what he is doing. My husband had a woman once who just took his money!

We have a lot of them around here.

ElaineNY

I don't think anyone knows. That's why you won't get a straight answer. Mine took a good 3 months before I could half function in the mornings again. I was on the pred for a long time though. Welcome to send me your zip and I'll see if there's anyone near you I could recommend.
Posted 10/20/2009 12:20 AM (GMT 0)

Dr. A - I live North of Syracuse, NY  - thanks!  I know my arm and neck are not getting any worse.  Weather is cold now and that does not help!

ElaineNY

Posted 10/20/2009 10:31 PM (GMT 0)

Bringing this to top at Dr. A was looking for a chiropractor in my area to maybe try. 

I found out Medicare will pay for 80% but my supplement won't pay - that is ok.  I also have to have xrays done by primary care or ? - Medicare won't pay for tests a chiropractor does or orders!

ElaineNY

Posted 10/20/2009 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
Elaine, Dr. A, can you take this to e-mail please? Once again we're edging over into giving professional advice, which is not allowed on the forums. Thanks!
Posted 10/20/2009 10:48 PM (GMT 0)

Sorry - sometimes I plain forget the rules (and hate them)!  BUT - you are right, of course.  Not sure if Dr. A has my email - I will check.  Elaine

Posted 10/20/2009 10:57 PM (GMT 0)

Well, from what I read here and other places - it definitely could be from prednisone withdrawal for up to a year or so - aches and pains - all over.  Mine are mostly in my arms, shoulders, etc. but also lower legs ache a lot and my lower back (that could be from UC).  I am giving it a little more time.  Using BenGay and Tylenol - takes the edge off.

ElaineNY

Posted 10/21/2009 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
My mom who is 75 lately has been complaining of similar pains. Doctor says it is just old age, well I think that is a cop out on his part. Have no idea what is causing it.
Posted 10/21/2009 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
i've often had identical symptoms when withdrawing from prednisone.

kops2da said...
Assuming this is from withdrawal from prednisone.  Taperred slowly and was fine when on it and when tapering - been off prednisone for two months and arm  muscle pain from pinky to pinky across my shoulders and both arms!  I put heat on and take Tylenol!  Doctor believes it will get better in time - anyone have this experience.  Hard to get around because I have two bad knees and now arms don't want to support a cane or my walker.

Thank goodness I don't need to hurry to the bathroom anymore - at least for now.

ElaineNY

Posted 10/21/2009 3:20 PM (GMT 0)

vnct - how long did it lasts??

This is getting "old".  I feel so good otherwise and now have this to deal with!

ElaineNY

Posted 10/21/2009 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe get a massage? Get those toxins moving on out!
Posted 10/21/2009 5:25 PM (GMT 0)

maybe a month for each time i tapered down from a prednisone cycle.  it's affected by how long the cycle was and how quickly it's tapered down.  it may have something to do with changes of water retention in the joints.

kops2da said...

vnct - how long did it lasts??

This is getting "old".  I feel so good otherwise and now have this to deal with!

ElaineNY


Posted 10/21/2009 5:45 PM (GMT 0)

Well, I was on prednisone for 5.5 months including tapering - last four weeks were 10 mg. 5 mg. and then 10 every other day and 5 everyother day until finished. Highest was 40 mg. one weekand 30 second week and then 20 mg. for several weeks. 

Peety - most people would love to have a massage but I HATE them.  Don't like anyone touching my body anywhere - that is why I hesitate to see a doctor about this and possible treatments!

ElaineNY

Posted 10/21/2009 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
I wish I could have a massage! The idea sounds so warm and lovely, but it always hurts when they massage me. Deep massage, gentle massage, whatever. I had a PT once who did a lot of therapeutic massage as part of her program. She could work out some of my sore spots, but it hurt so much while she was doing it!
Posted 10/21/2009 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
Judy - glad someone else does not really enjoy massage.  I only had it done twice - once just upper body and gentle.  Just can't handle it.  Even when the GYN doctor used to push on my stomach and say "does that hurt" (assuming she was feeling the uterus?) I always yelled and said "only when you push that hard LOL!! Twice I had to turn down an ultrsound because she thought something might be wrong with my ovaries or! ElaineNY

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