I have PMR Into my ninth year and have developed bad knees and lower leg pain

Posted , 12 users are following.

hi all.im into my ninth year of PMR .up and down on predniselone currently put up to 9mg by rheumy because of bloods but they have now gone down to ESR25/CRP15 .but i am ina ?ot of knee and lower leg pain even on short walk.i did have an accident that badly twisted both knees before xmas and am struggling ever since.am awaiting physio but did go to A&E just after xmas and they xrayed the worst knee and said there was no bone problem.my question is do any of you suffer knee and lower leg pain with PMR.I am worried that when inext see rheumy in july she may try to push me again into MTTX or other as she says she does not want me to go over. 10mg of pred.the stairs are hell but always have been.So fed up and i know i dont post much but i read posts every day and dont know what id do without them.I feel a lot of you are so much more knowledgable than me especially EILEEN .im wondering whether to up pred without teling her and see what happens.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Posted

    You can't really blame everything on pred and PMR - and especially since you had an accident. You may have soft tissue damage which is actually worse than a break IMHO!! Speaking from current personal experience!!!! And long term use of pred does make ligaments and tendons delicate.

    • Posted

      thank you eileen.good to hear from you hope you and OH doing ok .i do think i may have soft tissue or meniscus tears in knees .but am wondering if the lower leg pain is maybe what others with PMR have experienced .the inabilty to only walk very short distance is scary .i am not expecting much from physio and i really hope they will further investigate.i have just ordered some magnesium glycinate capsules as read it helps with leg muscles .just hope it is ok to take with pred but take at a different time.whats you oppinion on up pred from 9 and not tell rheumy.thanks jeanb

    • Posted

      What is the lower leg pain? Like cramp when you walk? Goes away when you stop only to return when you start again? Has anyone checked you ankle blood pressure?

    • Posted

      yes eileen exactly .goes away momentarily when i have to stop and then returns as soon as i start to walk again.never knew about ankle blood pressure test i will mention it to the physio on my first appt.but the knee pain kicks in due to the accident i had and the knees lock and cant turn round.i probably got meniscus tears ?any thoughts on the magnesium glysinate ?contra indications that you know of ?thanks jeanb.

    • Posted

      Your GP needs to start with with what is called the ankle brachial index - the ratio between the arm BP and that measured at the ankle and then probably he needs to send you for vascular lab testing for peripheral vascular disease. Whether they can do much depends where and how the arteries are blocked - sometimes it is just a case of a bit more pred to reduce swelling in the arteries due to the PMR/GCA and that will improve the blood flow.

      Don't know about the mag glyc but possibly worth a try.

    • Posted

      thanks for the expanation of ankle BP will wait n see on physio appt and will give mag glyc a try .lot of pain today knees keep locking but plodding on .

  • Posted

    The pain could be coming from your back. have u had a recent MRI? I've found adjusting my steroids up or down does help with the pain.

    • Posted

      hi irene not had an MRI but i feel it all went haywire after the accident effecting both knees .i already upped pred to 9 and rheumy said not to go over 10mg . i keep thinking WHY !i see her in july and i bet if i ask her she will say because of putting me on mtx or other stuff.i think id rather up pred.thanks.

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.