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Balance problems

Posted , 5 users are following.

caroline83483
caroline83483

on advice from my GP I reduced my prednisilone from 10mg to 9mg my ESR is 11 . Now I can barely walk....balance is dreadful...unable to get into the shower this morning. Should I increase the dose? I don't see GP for another 8days. I feel miserable. Have had PMR for 15months this reduction was a week ago

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • julian.
    julian. caroline83483

    Posted

    seems to be my night for "me too" for side effects - its dark here in Aus so must be night!

    Not so bad I fell over, just had to have a hand on something while moving. Most noticeable as dizzy when I rolled over in bed. Faded when still. Lasted a week or so. Around the same level pred as you.

    I've had similar once or twice in the distant past (not alcohol related before anyone asks) so wasn't too concerned and didn't immediately associate it with the pred.

  • Gymjen
    Gymjen caroline83483

    Posted

    Caroline ,ring your GP,do not wait a week,I did this over xmas,Ihad gone down to 6 mg,I then had to back up to 15. Only got down to 9 now ,so leaving it and not bothering Doctor just set me back further.

    jen

  • MrsO-UK_Surrey
    MrsO-UK_Surrey caroline83483

    Posted

    Caroline, were you symptom-free before the reduction?  Did the pain start immediately following the reduction or did it start up after a few days and keep building?  If the latter, then it sounds like 9mg is too low a dose for you for now.  Returning to 10mg asap may provide the answer.  And if that improves things, remain there for another few weeks before trying again, but this time preferably by half a mg rather than 1mg.  You may also need to follow the very slow tapering regime where you take the new dose on just one day of the first week, two of the second etc. 
    • caroline83483
      caroline83483 MrsO-UK_Surrey

      Posted

      Thank-you for your advice.I have no pain,loss of balance has been the main problem. This has gradually become worse. I gave in today and took another 1mg, pleased to say this has helped. Will now follow the slow tapering regime.
    • MrsO-UK_Surrey
      MrsO-UK_Surrey caroline83483

      Posted

      Caroline, my balance was badly affected too but I put that down to spending many months in bed without diagnosis.  If you still have balance problems when you reach  the lower doses where you are more comfortable, you will find that joining a Nordic walking class will help enormously - the poles give you so much confidence.  If the balance problems worsen meanwhile, then do have it checked out with your GP.  Steroids can cause an increase in blood pressure - I'm assuming you have had that checked out. 
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