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PMR, GCA and calf, foot pain

Posted , 6 users are following.

kathy67492
kathy67492

I wanted to post my question to Eileen on the open forum in case others are having this problem...and I have not seen this problem posted recently, particularly Eileen's answer (from 2 years ago!).

3 days ago I tried "dry needling" for my calves and feet because of tightness and pain. I. Had immediate relief, leaving my legs feeling a little "sore" like it would a day after yoga. At my last visit my rheumy mentioned that I may be borderline temporal arteritis and PMR. Also, for three weeks recently I had pulsating on the left side of my neck...that is now gone. I am 19 mnths into PMR, doing the slow taper, taking 7-1/2m

daily. Tried to taper to 7m but only lasted one week on the taper plan before the legs and feet became too much of any issue, together with arm pain. Is the prednisone treatment for PMR the same if I have GCA manfested in my legs but not my temples? Is Peripheal vascular disease and/or claudification a seperate issue, or part of the PMR/GCA?  Afraid of trying the taper again if it is GCA in my legs. My legs are better if I drop them over the sides at night...whch you indicated was typical of peripheral artery disease (?)...but I know the PMR issues are all over the place on any given day. I dont thnk I have explained this very well...sorry. Thank you for any thoughts or comments.

 

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • margaret22251
    margaret22251 kathy67492

    Posted

    what is dry needling please i have not heard of this.
    • kathy67492
      kathy67492 margaret22251

      Posted

      Dry needling is a done by a trained therapist who uses the same needles usd in acupuncture, except instead of inserting them slightly i to the skin (meridians), the needles are deeply insertd to the muscles causing a "trigger" mechanism that "vibrates" and releases the tightness in the muscle. Not a professional description, but this was my initial experience.Feels a little bit like...if you had a "charley horse" in your calf and someone could insert a needle and stop the cramp. Uncomfortable for seconds at a time during multiple insertions...but worth it!
    • Mrs.Mac-Canada
      Mrs.Mac-Canada kathy67492

      Posted

      I had dry needling done here in Mexico after arthoscopic surgery on my ankle.  My Physio used it to help release the tightness in my Achilles tendon which had been shortened because I had walked with a limp for so long. It worked really well.  She also used it on my calves. I've had acupuncture but this was the first time I had ever heard of dry needling. Had to come to Merida to find it.  FYI, for those who gasp at having surgery in Mexico, it is rated in the top ten countries for health care. Neither Canada or the US made it😕.  When I got back to Canada I asked my Physio about it and he said "I can use them if you want"?????  
  • margaret22251
    margaret22251 kathy67492

    Posted

    thank you never heard of it before, sounds interesting. Hope you have a good day. Mags
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