Leg pain
Posted , 6 users are following.
Anyone else have this problem?
I am currently on Medrol 19mg which is controlling my PMR symptoms very well with the exception of my hips and legs. In the morning I usually walk in a pool for about
an hour and afterwords feel pretty well with minimal pain. However, after shopping and/or walking around for a bit, the hip/leg pain usually comes back a bit, but then goes away on its own, sometimes until late at night. I do take the pills at 2am to minimize morning pain. When the leg pain comes on, it is usually more on the right than the left, and can be very painful for a while. I was thing bursitis but Dr foes not think so, and has no other ideas. Anyone have a similar presentation and what did you do about it?
0 likes, 7 replies
EileenH Carnut
Posted
I would jolly well hope 19mg Medrol was managing PMR - though, to be fair, 20mg didn't do a lot for me and 15mg prednisone was instantly better.
My suspicion would be bursitis (don't care what your doc says) as mine appears after about 30 mins walking and then fades over the following few hours when I stop. The walking in the pool is reducing the stress on the hip, the later walking isn't. Any low back problems to go with it?
Anhaga Carnut
Posted
Often a good physiotherapist is better at figuring things out like this than the doctor. My physiotherapist helped me eliminate severe hip pain which I think in my case must have been referred pain from the spine. But because our muscles can be weakened by pred there could be any one of a number of mechanical things causing the pain, most of which can be alleviated by some physio, including the inevitably boring exercises we are given to do at home.
Carnut
Posted
Yes, I HAD serious back issues, lumbar stenosis, etc for which i underwent a laminectomy almost two years ago. i has a pretty famous neurosurgeon and recovered well, with a few hiccups along the way.
Up until I was stricken with this silly disease, I exercised every day, and still do, as much as I am able. I am probably better off than most,
in that I can still do ALMOST everything I want, although I do tend to overdo sometimes. i'll be seventy soon, and possibly to my regret just can not give in to either aging or this ridiculous disease.
peggy_56092 Carnut
Posted
I had undiagnosed left hip bursitis before PMR diagnosis at age 77. I received two steroid shots in the hip before right knee replacement last year. Hip pain more pronounced after operation but I did not get more shots as I wanted to lower pred level. I am currently 8 1/2 going to 8 mgs.
I continually use a right hand cane to ease the pressure on my left hip. Sometimes I can't find my cane and injure my hip looking for it without the cane's support. I now have two more canes scattered about.
Pain/stiffness can occur during the early morning dog walk even after a hot bath soak. It comes and goes. Last month I was awakened by the pain. This month I am fine at night. I attended physical therapy sessions and was gaining strength when I had a flare. I can do an incredibly long plank position. Did the exercises start it? I don't know. I am sticking to walking, less stress for my muscles.
EileenH peggy_56092
Posted
"I did not get more shots as I wanted to lower pred level"
Although it sounds counterintuitive, having steroid shots often reduces the overall amount of pred required. Certain things respond better to a local steroid shot than to oral pred, bursitis being one. By quickly reducing a local inflammation the pain level falls and a lower oral dose is achievable.
peggy_56092 EileenH
Posted
Thanks for the tip. I will request a shot at my next appt.
Carnut
Posted
Funny, but after walking in the pool for about an hour today, leg feels much better!
Exercise or the Medrol, who knows? Now that I feel better, I am trying to work up the courage to taper a little. I see my rheumy tomorrow who wants me to reduce quickly, but I will resist. The previous two times I listened to him and reduced too quickly I pain the price.