1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Polymyalgia Rheumatica and GCA

Coincidence?

Posted , 5 users are following.

angelcake61
angelcake61

i used to suffer quite badly from cramps in my legs toes fingers Etc but for the  15 months I've been on pred they have disappeared.

just over a week ago I cut my pred from 7 every day to 6 every alternate day, so all in all I've had 6 days at 6mg and  the rest at my normal dose of 7.

the cramps have returned in my shin and are quite severe, any thoughts please?

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • pat38625
    pat38625 angelcake61

    Posted

    Hi Angelcake, sorry to hear that you're having trouble again.  I don't have a medical background and I am relatively new with PMR.  Some of the ladies are better qualified  than myself and most likely will be along soon to answer your question.  Good luck.  Pat
  • MrsO-UK_Surrey
    MrsO-UK_Surrey angelcake61

    Posted

    angelcake, I never experienced leg/toe cramps prior to having PMR/GCA but I have experienced them many nights since recovering and getting off steroids.  As magnesium deficiency is known to be a possible cause, I have had both my magnesium and potassium levels checked but they have shown normal results.  However, perhaps in your case your magneisum levels might be low in which case a magnesium supplement may help.
  • jean39702
    jean39702 angelcake61

    Posted

    I had leg, foot, and hand cramps occasionally pre PMR, which were kept at bay with 100 mg magnesium daily.  When diagnosed I was initially advised to stop the magnesium.  Big mistake.  Cramps returned.  Went back to taking magnesium and all is good. 
    • EileenH
      EileenH jean39702

      Posted

      Why on earth were you told to stop using it alongside pred? Pred makes you lose MORE magnesium in your urine so you are more likely to need the supplements to prevent low levels and cramps! 
    • angelcake61
      angelcake61 jean39702

      Posted

      Do I have to get a prescription for the magnesium? Thanks for replying
    • jean39702
      jean39702 EileenH

      Posted

      When diagnosed with PMR I was taking a variety of supplements and the practitioner I was seeing had just been to a conference that pooh, poohed their use.  A waste of money and all that...  I know I could fine just as many arguments pro certain supplements.  Against my better judgement, and not knowing the counterindications with prednisone I stopped the supplements.  After a few weeks of cramping and some independent research I returned to taking magnesium and a few other supplements.
    • jean39702
      jean39702 angelcake61

      Posted

      I buy magnesium tabletst over the counter in the drug store or health food stores in Canada.
    • MrsO-UK_Surrey
      MrsO-UK_Surrey jean39702

      Posted

      Ah, at least you've found the answer, Jean - magnesium supplement it is then!smile
    • EileenH
      EileenH jean39702

      Posted

      A study in the UK decided magnesium didn't prevent muscle cramps - but their study population was dialysis patients who are hardly representative of normals! In the whole of mainland Europe the first question you are asked if you complain of cramps is "have you tried magnesium" - and basically, come back if that doesn't work! Every supermarket has them on the shelf. The non-English-speaking world does a lot of things that the English speaking side says is rubbish - but many of them seem to work!!!

      Angelcake - ask at a chemist or health food store in the UK. I know Boots has them but I'll bet there are cheaper places (like H&B)

  • EileenH
    EileenH angelcake61

    Posted

    It could be blood supply to your legs being reduced because of a bit of inflammation reducing the diameter of the blood vessels - is it worse with exercise? As the others suggest I'd try magnesium supplements first and if that doesn't work mention it to the doctor. It could be a sign your body isn't ready to drop from 7 to effectively 6.5 (do I understand you right, 7mg one day, 6mg the next?). Maybe a slower reduction, 6mg on 1 day in 4 for the moment, then 6mg one day in 3 and so on might be better?

    I used to have cramp in my hands with PMR that has disappeared on pred - they haven't returned yet at 4mg!

    • angelcake61
      angelcake61 EileenH

      Posted

      i will try that method, thanks Eileen .

      last night I thought ooo why does my shoulder hurt but the pain went away and same thing happened this morning.

      It hadn't dawned on me till posting about the pred reduction that it probably the cause, doh!

  • MrsO-UK_Surrey
    MrsO-UK_Surrey angelcake61

    Posted

    angelcake, this has just reminded me that at one time during my journey with PMR/GCA and steroids, I had a bout of very severe pain in my shins and they felt very tender.  At the time I wondered whether Fibromyalgia was now joining in the 'fun' as that is known to have tender points.  The pain resolved of its own accord, although, post-steroids, I do still have sensitive-to-the-touch shins.
    • EileenH
      EileenH MrsO-UK_Surrey

      Posted

      You've reminded me - in the early days of PMR when I had Bowen therapy or other hands-on therapies I used to squeal if they touched my feet or shins! Even the chiropodist. Maybe that was one of the "cross-over" bits when I was tossing up between PMR and fibro...
    • MrsO-UK_Surrey
      MrsO-UK_Surrey EileenH

      Posted

      Eileen -  I am still known to "squea"l if anyone touches my shins - I think a technician doing an ultrasound on my legs and feet a few months ago wondered what sort of neurotic he was dealing with when he lightly touched a very tender spot on my shin when putting a BP cuff on and I yelped.  I apologised and told him it wasn't him but something odd about my legs!  However, when he started pumping up the BP cuff on my leg, wow! I stood it for as long as I could but in the end had to plead with him to please stop!  No problem with anyone touching my feet though.....well apart from temporarily (I hope) at the moment -  as you know, I've fractured my little toe!

      Perhaps there is a fine linksomewhere between PMR and Fibro.

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.