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  3. Polymyalgia Rheumatica and GCA

Off balance

Posted , 10 users are following.

carlene22578
carlene22578

Started on the pred in November at 20 mg ..didnt help so upped to 30..still didn't help till started split dose. Helped immensely. Go back to rhumy end of the month.

My problem is I keep getting off balance and have fell a couple times. Luckily nothing hurt but my pride! Just wondered am I just clumsy or part of the process??

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • phillip11645
    phillip11645 carlene22578

    Posted

    Carlene, I started with 15 mg of prednisone and periodically felt a little light headed.  Thought I was OK one day to go up on the roof and trim some tree branches, but I had a momentary blackout and found myself on the ground with the wind knocked out of me and felt like I had a ruptured disc.  I'm usually pretty agile so feeling a bit clumsy may indeed be part of the process.  Just be careful out there!

    • carlene22578
      carlene22578 phillip11645

      Posted

      Thank you. Sorry that happened to you!! Just wondered if it was just me or if others had the same problem.
  • Michdonn
    Michdonn carlene22578

    Posted

    Hi carlene, believe me I understand your problem. I am a bicycle rider, who has not been able to ride my for almost two years. I walk now with a cane or stick. Now here is the funny thing I have no problem skiing which I cannot explain. Today I am going to walk to the Post office, I will have my stick, I probably will lose my balance, use the stick for support, to stop from falling. I have not falling in couple of months, but still catch myself losing my balance. I think as my Pred dosage get lower my balance is better, or least I think so. Cheer up it will get better, think positive and try to smile. 🙂

    • Michdonn
      Michdonn carlene22578

      Posted

      No, you are not alone. I cannot explain why I have no problem skiing, just happy I can. I think positive that I will be back on my bicycle this year. Smiling. 🙂

  • EileenH
    EileenH carlene22578

    Posted

    PMR can cause poor balance because of the effect on muscles - and it is associated with GCA if you have large vessel vasculitis that is affecting the blood supply to your ears. Have you any other ear symptoms? Tinnitus for example?
    • carlene22578
      carlene22578 EileenH

      Posted

      I have had the ringing in my ears for years. I will mention this when I go back to the Dr. Thank you
  • stevep63
    stevep63 carlene22578

    Posted

    I had to go to 30mg/day of pred to get any relief when first diagnosed. I was quite 'jittery' for a while and had periods of dizzyness not long after each dose. (I split my doses 15/15 to get max benefit for me). I found that it eased up after a while. However, I am quite clumsy now and regularly drop things, even though I am now down to 13mg/day. Do you eat something when you have your medication? I found this made a difference for me.

    • carlene22578
      carlene22578 stevep63

      Posted

      I always take my med with meals. Hopefully this will subside if I get to lower my dose.

      Thanks

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