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Frustrated of Devon!

Posted , 10 users are following.

debbie27473
debbie27473

Hi everyone. I am going to be greedy and ask two things in one post! Firstly I have been getting a very bad pain in my right upper arm which I assumed was due to the PMR. Then, a few weeks ago I noticed that if I stroke my lower forearm the pain becomes excruciating. So this sounds more like nerve damage to me which is confusing. Anyone else had anything like this? Secondly, I have now developed a very painful left  ankle/heel. It feels like a bad sprain although I can assure you I have done nothing energetic enough to cause injury! Any ideas? Now for the technical bit. I am now down to 10mgs of pred a day from 15mgs over five months. I was on 15mgs for 10 months. Since reducing, I have noticed (I know this is three things. Sorry. lol) that some pred side effects are getting worse, not better e.g palpitations, veiny legs, those tiny little blood blister thingys to name a few. Is this normal? Every time I think things are starting to improve, I get something new. Help! To finish on a positive note, it is a beautiful, sunny day here in Devon, so I can hobble to the shop and get some fresh air. That ought to cheer me up! Wishing you all one of the 'good' days. Debbie

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  • Dinah54
    Dinah54 debbie27473

    Posted

    As a fellow incomer Devonian I share both the sunshine and your frustration with your particular rheumy! I too have problems with one of my shoulders and my right heel. The shoulder was to do with rotator cuff problems and possibly frozen shoulder. One good thing the rheumatologist did was refer me to the excellent shoulder consultant at Exeter. I had a steroid injection and the relief was almost instantaneous. The problem with the underside of my heel was ignored, until I transferred to a London consultant who said it was a recognised symptom of inflammatory arthritis.

    Perhaps your GP will refer you to the shoulder clinic?

  • cindy63197
    cindy63197 debbie27473

    Posted

    Hi Debbie, Regarding the reduction, usually you can have more Pred type symptoms for awhile after the drop, maybe about a week.  As far as the pain in your arm, because I am an O.T. and Massage Therapist I can say that when you have a pain or range of motion loss in one area such as the upper arm, sometimes the areas around that also become sore because you hold your arm in a way to prevent the first pain from bothering you.  I really can't comment on the heel.
  • beatrice74480
    beatrice74480 debbie27473

    Posted

    Hi Debbie. it sounds a long time to be on 15mgs ,personally I have found that as you reduce you have to choose your own comfort level.Do reduce slowly though as in the tapering method of Eileen. I am on 2mgs after 22months but experiencing some discomfort in my hands and knee I am persevering at this dose as I find that the blood blistering has now disappeared along with other annoying title things .It would seem I think that the little aches and stiffness I have is prob about normal for a 75yr old who is very active .Perhaps the preds mask lots of things .Good luck but do reduce slowly .
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