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Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Posted , 12 users are following.

sandra01353
sandra01353

I have  been on steroids for 10 months now, down to 9mg however I have noticed that my eyes are odd.  I have got some dark patches in the corners if my eyes.   Is this anything to do with PM?

thanks 

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • EileenH
    EileenH sandra01353

    Posted

    Can't say it is something I've heard anyone mention before. And you aren't really at a dose where it might be poor adrenal function. Nothing else going on?

  • karenjaninaz
    karenjaninaz sandra01353

    Posted

    I don’t know but I had problems with very dry eyes and blurrubess from steroids. I also get blood patches on the whites of my eyes if I strain in any way. They are benign. With PMR  GCA- giant cell arteritis can develop . This affects the blood supply to the optic nerve causing irreversible blindness., symptoms include severe headache, eye pain and loss of vision. When in doubt see an ophthalmologist. I visit him every six months to check my eye pressure which is OK so far.

    Others with GCA will certainly chime in.

  • Silver49
    Silver49 sandra01353

    Posted

    Do you mean the corners next to the bridge of your nose? If so, I have the same. A friend thought I had a black eye. Today I have black shadows under both my eyes. This has only happened since taking Pred. I think I may rub my eyes quite a bit which probably causes or exacerbates the problem. It does look like someone has hit me around the eye. 
    • sandra01353
      sandra01353 Silver49

      Posted

      Thats it exactly Silver ....  will go and see doctor M8nday just to make sure. 
    • Silver49
      Silver49 sandra01353

      Posted

      The area around the eye is very sensitive and I think rubbing it as I have done causes the skin to go dark because of the effect of the Pred. I have done nothing about it but I put it down to the fact that we can bruise more easily because of the Pred. I'd be interested to know what the GP says.

  • darlene36688
    darlene36688 sandra01353

    Posted

    Sandra,

    You need to be very careful concerning your vision.

    My rheumatologist asks me every visit if there has been any change in my vision.

    I've been on Prednisone for 7 months.

    You need to contact your rheumatologist or eye doctor as soon as possible.

    Do you have GCA? I know the vision is watched very carefully with GCA,

    Not sure if the vision is affected by PMR or not.

    I do have PMR along with the GCA but my biggest problem is with the GCA.

    I would not waste time getting your vision checked.

    Wishing you best of luck and hope this is not a big deal but you can not play around with your vision.

     

    • sandra01353
      sandra01353 darlene36688

      Posted

      Hi Darleen, no luckily I do not have GCA just PM.  Silver’s response rang a few bells with me so will just wait and see, a,though am seeing GP Tuesday so will bring it up then. Xx
  • Silver49
    Silver49 sandra01353

    Posted

    I now realise that you probably mean in the eye area as opposed to outwith which is what I have. I am sorry but I haven't heard of that but others will have more knowledge than I.

  • frances80868
    frances80868 sandra01353

    Posted

    I have decided that PMR is misnamed. It should be Polymylagia Neuroticia. I've only been on pred. for about 7 weeks now at 20 mg and I am feeling better. Aside from the side effects of pred! Stomach acid reflux, no sleep, balloon face and about 14 lbs.weigh gain. Slowly adjusting to suddenly feeling a lot older. I'll be 72 in May. First steps on a new path.

    • sandra01353
      sandra01353 frances80868

      Posted

      Totally agree Frances .....  when first took steroids pain went away and I felt great and THEN all sorts of odd things begin t9 happen .... lost my apetite and found an elephants,  chipmunk face etc etc ......  body shape  changed ...... lordy lordy, still its better than all the pain is it not ...... xx
    • EileenH
      EileenH frances80868

      Posted

      Cutting carbs drastically will almost certainly help both with the weight gain and the appetite problems - it has worked for a lot of us and also helps reduce the risk of developing pred-induced diabetes. I lost 35lbs while still on between 10 and 15mg pred and others have either lost weight or not gained weight. It often also helps reflux but you can ask your doctor to prescribe either ranitidine/Zantac or a PPI. If you are in the UK you can ask to be presccribed gastroresistant prednisolone which saves needing the stomach meds. They are now available in 5mg, 2.5mg and 1mg doses.

      After 7 weeks at 20mg you should be starting to reduce soon - and as you reduce things do improve though not quickly. 

    • sandra01353
      sandra01353 EileenH

      Posted

      HinEileen.  Did you just cut out potatoes, bread,  cakes, biscuits rice and pasta?  Did you follow a diet.  I am really desperate t9 loose some weight but w8llpower ribbish.  Easy to cut out  pots, bread etc.  Have cauli rice and corgetti instead of pasta.  Am still having sneaky  Rich  Tea ..,,  what am I doing wrong .....    HELP  
    • EileenH
      EileenH sandra01353

      Posted

      Start with what you can - no I don't have a diet as such, that is the joy of cutting carbs. You identify carb-rich foods - and don't eat them!  At the same time, if I want an icecream or pizza (I live in Italy wink wink I have one. Not everyday but now and again. I eat meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese and above ground veggies in all shapes and forms. Root veggies are a treat and stray onto my plate only occasionally. 

      There are loads of sites online which will help you work out what to eat and what not to eat. And you have to ind out how much carb you can eat and still lose weight. I can't eat much at all - others can eat considerably more than I can. I actually started with a while trying the five/two approach and I found that helped me adjust to different portion sizes but once you get onto low carb you stop feeling so hungry anyway - you don't send your blood sugar up high triggering insulin production that sends your blood sugar level plummeting and that is what makes you hungry.

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