Im trying to reinvestigate the subject of claudication.
Posted , 7 users are following.
Recent ruemy visit determined that based on labs, I should not have gone up to 15 mg to relieve apparent claudication in upper and lower legs inhibiting me from walking any great distance without rest. She referred me to GP to get referral to vascular specialist for eliminating arterial problems as a cause. GP checked all my pulses an did not find any abnormalitied. He did see a good possibility of nuerogenic claudication originating from lower spinal stenosis. I have a very dodgy spine. Ruemy has me reducing 1mg per month, I'm now at 14 for 2 weeks. I see the vascular specialist in the 14th. Coming down from 15mg, does anyone feel I could have dropped to 12 1/2 and then slower?
2 likes, 13 replies
tavidu paul45653
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I have slowly dropped from 25mg down to 14mg over the past 6 months but have noticed more aches and twanges in my legs since my drop from 15mg to 14mg 7 days ago, so I feel that a large drop from 15mg to 12.5mg would have been to much at this stage. Slow and steady is recommended and 1mg a month is wise. Good luck.
ptolemy paul45653
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tina-uk_cwall paul45653
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MrsO-UK_Surrey paul45653
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I experienced claudication in my legs making it difficult for me to walk very far, sometimes having to sit on the nearest available wall until the pain eased, but at the time I accepted it as being part and parcel of PMR. Very gradually I found that I could walk a little further before the pain set in but even then the odd more painful day would catch me unawares.
I do sympathise with your spinal problems as I have spondylolisthesis (a slippage of the lower spine) . PMR together with spinal problems can prove very testing, not knowing which pain is which.
Anyway, Paul, good luck with the 14mg dose, and do try not to concern yourself with whether you could have dropped any lower. Even the smallest drop is a drop - It's how you feel now that is important.
paul45653 MrsO-UK_Surrey
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ptolemy paul45653
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EileenH paul45653
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There is evidence that patients who have had PMR have an increased rate of PAD (peripheral arterial disease) so any sign of claudication really should be referred to a vascular specialist for tests - a GP may be able to do it but only if they have a doppler ultrasound to listen for the ankle pressures. An ordinary stethoscope isn't adequate.
However, I had calf claudication for a time which was due to tight muscles impeding the blood flow. It isn't always PAD and a physio may be able to help with stretching exercises. The first approach with claudication is also often what MrsO referred to and a walking programme used to increase the distance walked - you walk until pain and then walk a little bit further before resting. Then you walk and rest in the same way again and again . Doing this you can increase the walking distance considerably. You can find more detailed descriptions of such walking programmes on the internet.
EileenH
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https://patient.info/forums/discuss/pmr-gca-website-addresses-and-resources-35316
in as "Bristol paper"
paul45653 EileenH
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I'm sure the vascular md will have some special kit to listen to my old arteries.
Thanks to you all who responded.
EileenH paul45653
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paul45653 EileenH
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EileenH paul45653
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misdiagnose paul45653
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