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Polymyalgia - problems walking downhill

Posted , 7 users are following.

Pepekeeper
Pepekeeper

I have had polymyalgia for 2 1/2 years now. I started on a 15 mg dose of Prednisolone In November 2009 and am now taking (June 2012) a dose of 4 mg Prednisolone daily. So I am making progress with reducing the steroid that I take. However, during the last 12 months I am finding it increasingly difficult to walk down slopes/hills. I can walk along the flat and uphill without any problem but when I reach a slope downhill I freeze and feel that if I am not very careful and go very slowly I will lose control and go hurtling down too fast and possibly fall. Has anybody else experienced this problem whilst taking steroids? I suspect that the steroid may have weakened the muscles in my legs, particularly the muscles at the front of my thighs (quadriceps muscles) and that this is affecting my "breaking system". Can anyone provide me with a possible answer as to why I am having this difficulty walking downhill? And if you have experienced problems walking downhill, have you found anything to improve this, such as physio exercises for quadriceps muscles, any other particular form of exercise e.g. walking on treadmill or swimming, orthotics etc?

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • carolk
    carolk

    Posted

    not sure which country you are from but if uk your dr can arrange a physio assesment which in turn would give you the advice re appropiate exercises , i am sure you are experiencing pmr/steroid fallout but any new symptoms are worth discussing with your gp , for me its uphill and stairs !!! thank god for lifts carolk
  • Daceyson14
    Daceyson14

    Posted

    Yes I feel same as carolk that if I was in your place then I ought to contact physio for therapeutically designed exercises and start taking them quick. If I take any exercise action on my own, I may end up in causing aggravated pain.
  • EileenH
    EileenH

    Posted

    Yup - sounds very like steroid-induced muscle wasting and that'll affect your balance. Down is always worse then.

    You need a physio who is aware of the problems with exercise in PMR, it must be appropriately tailored to the restrictions and heavy-duty hands on stuff is to be avoided. Off to the GP and discuss it with them!!

    Eileen

  • carmel89086
    carmel89086 Pepekeeper

    Posted

    I have the exact same problem as you but I have not been on steroids.

    Can you advise did you get any helpful results.

    • EileenH
      EileenH carmel89086

      Posted

      I doubt you will get a reply - this thread is over a year old and the person who started it has never returned.

      If you have such problems you should ask your doctor about being referred for physiotherapy.

    • Dano123
      Dano123 carmel89086

      Posted

      Did you take care of this problem! Do you still have. I can't walk down slopes and don't know what it is! Thanks! Need answers.

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