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Knees - is it PMR?

Posted , 5 users are following.

lbh
lbh

Hi,

I recall, when I first discovered this site 2 years ago, reading about members with knee problems linked to PMR, and I remember thinking I was pleased my knees weren't affected.

I was started on 15mg in May 2018 for PMR, affecting only my hips and shoulders.

2 years down the line, I have managed to get to 7mg, and have been at this dose for about 2 months. For the past few weeks I have been having knee problems (but not particularly hips & shoulders - maybe just a tiny bit). Both knees are affected and it's worse at night and in the morning, is awful when getting up from sitting for any length of time but is so much easier later in the day - this is why I'm wondering if it could be PMR related as that's what used to happen to my hips/shoulders originally. It's a stiffness with discomfort, no sharp pain, and is down the inside of both knees. I'm not sure whether to up my dose a little - I'm very tempted because I'm also feeling much more fatigued than is usual for me. Any thoughts on this please? I might also visit the physio (if they're open due to covid) to see if he can shed any light. Thanks everyone.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • peggy_56092
    peggy_56092 lbh

    Posted

    Before and when first starting prednisone, both knees became swollen and had to be drained. Steroid shots stopped the swelling and pain. One knee had a damaged kneecap and had to be replaced while on 6 mgs. The other knee has been fine for three years in spite of bone on bone per xrays. I am down to 3 1/2 mgs currently and that knee feels fragile but is still working. Sometimes flare symptoms are totally different from the beginning symtoms of PMR. Upping the pred for a few days might be advisable.

  • Anhaga
    Anhaga lbh

    Edited

    Have you had x-rays? Could be any number of things causing knee problems. I don't think I would increase pred dose on spec. Pred can help other things besides PMR, including RA. Furthermore, it is not recommended for treating osteoarthritis. So, if you can , get a diagnosis, even if it's a diagnosis of exclusion to confirm PMR.

    Knee pain is a pain. 😦

    • lbh
      lbh Anhaga

      Edited

      Thanks Anhaga, I haven't done that yet because of the fact that the discomfort is almost nonexistent in the late afternoon/evening and yet awful in the mornings. I take my whole dose of pred in the morning (up until about 6 weeks ago I was splitting the dose but went to taking it all a.m. on the advice of my pharmacist - think i might try splitting again) so I'm putting 2 and 2 together and blaming PMR. If it doesn't improve with a split dose I will seek an xray, as you

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