PMR and Claudication
Posted , 9 users are following.
I had classic symptoms of PMR for about 3 months before being diagnosed in July, 2015. I started at 15 mg Prednisone daily and have weaned to 6.5 mg. I'm 54 and was quite active before PMR, sadly that has all changed. I felt really good the first month on Pred. and was able to return to walking my usual 3 miles a day then I started having pain in my calves so bad I had to stop. I had never experience this before and discovered it was claudication. I have now been diagnosed with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. I have no risk factors for this disease and have no other symptoms other that the calve claudication pain. Has anyone experienced this after having PMR and do you think it is related to PMR or just a completely different issue. My doctor is not aware of a connection with PMR but I'm not sure he knows that much about it. I have started walking again and am increasing my distance very slowly, stopping to rest when the pain is bad enough. This forum is a blessing. Thanks to all of you!
0 likes, 16 replies
Handbrake darlene96382
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there have been some ultrasonography studies done that have revealed surprisingly frequency of large blood vessel involvement in people with PMR and GCA. One found 8% of this group developed lower extremity peripheral artery disease. Might be worth searching for other information on the Internet.
Handbrake
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darlene96382 Handbrake
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EileenH darlene96382
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What tests have you had done? Have you seen a vascular surgeon for assessment? Yes, what you are experiencing is claudication - but that is just the name of the symptom. There are several causes and only proper testing will identify what it is.
EileenH
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Another question - what dose of pred were you on when the claudication started? Did it start suddenly, from one day to the next? And is it equal in both calves? If it is it could suggest the blockage is possibly in the abdomen rather than the circulation in the legs and does need proper investigation.
darlene96382 EileenH
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I had been using a class 1 (superpotent) topical corticosteroid 3-4 times a week for years for eczema on my arms. I stopped using it June, 2015 and within 2 weeks I started having PMR symptoms very suddenly. I did some research and thought I was in steroid withdraw, of course my Dermatologist didn't agree. Later when I was dx with PMR my GA said maybe the topical steroid had been keeping the symptoms hidden for awhile. Does that sound possible?
EileenH darlene96382
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I think it is very possible that you had had the PMR masked by the use of the topical stuff - but then it appeared properly when you stopped You can absorb quite a bit systemically, especially if it is high dose topical stuff.
The walking through the pain is the first approach - it is said you can increase your capacity by over 10% if you apply yourself! And if you already have collateral circulation it may improve further. I do hope so. What did the vascular surgeon say otherwise?
darlene96382 EileenH
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EileenH darlene96382
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All the best.
sastew darlene96382
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I am 50 and was diagnosed with PMR in Novmber 2015. I began struggling with claudication about 2 months into using Pred - probably on 12.5g by then. I contact my doctor who suggested that perhaps I just wasn't very fit and that claudication wasn't related to PMR or Pred. I am so dissapointment with my doctor - but that's another story!! The claudication is less now and I only notice if I'm walking uphill or particularly exerting myself.
From the understanding I've gained on this forum (not from my doctor!) the inflamation caused by PMR means that blood circulation to and from the muscles is slower, therefore when you begin to exert yourself oxygen cannot get to the muscles quick enough and lactic acid etc cannot be removed quickly enough. The sense I get is that my muscles just begin to tighten and harden and my legs and to some extent my arms, just refuse to move any quicker - I swim to and can't swim as fast as I used to, my arms will just refuse to move!
Frustrating though it is, I don't know that it's something to be too concerned about as long as you continue to exercise. it's just another frustrating side effect of PMR - although my doctor doesn't think so!!!
Oregonjohn-UK sastew
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darlene96382 sastew
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jenny758 darlene96382
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darlene96382 jenny758
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EileenH jenny758
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A lot of people find they have tendon problems that make their calves feel very uncomfortable. Pred can affect tendons although it doesn't happen to everyone. You could try doing very gentle achilles tendon stretches and see if that helps at all.
EileenH darlene96382
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