Steroids and Bladder Weakness

Posted , 15 users are following.

Hello everyone - just an enquiry on behalf of a fellow PMR sufferer: has anyone experienced any bladder weakness since taking steroids? My thinking is that as the bladder is made up of muscle and as it is known that steroids can affect the muscles, then it may be a possible side effect. Also, have any other sufferers experienced tingling of the feet? Do hope this rainy weather is not adding to everyone's suffering, and there was I thinking I was going to melt in the promised 90 degree temperatures in August!!

1 like, 24 replies

24 Replies

Prev
  • Posted

    Thank you, Mrs. O, for your welcome and kind words. I have noticed that you are very compassionate in your other postings as well, and that is much appreciated. Besides the tingling, my feet are also swollen much of the time (not the ankles, just the feet). I had a neurological conduction done, and the specialist could find no reason for this. It seems that this disease is as mysterious to the doctors as it is for the patients, so here's hoping they are willing to learn from our many anecdotes. And here's hoping we all have more good days than bad!
  • Posted

    MrsO, the previous posting by \"Guest\" was actually from me, \"Vierannie.\" I seem to be having trouble communicating on this website, but Im sure I'll get the gist of it eventually. Anyway, thank you for your support!
  • Posted

    Hello again Vierannie

    I, too, suffered from swelling around the feet and, in my case, knee areas as well during my first year with undiagnosed PMR. I was bed-bound for 3 months during that year so at the time thought it had something to do with my lack of mobility. However, Eileen has since referred in some of her posts to knee swelling caused by bursitis so in my case that may have arisen as a complication of PMR. So perhaps your foot swelling is also PMR-related especially as your conduction tests have proved negative.

    As you say, Vierannie, this is a mystery illness in more ways than one that baffles even the experts but at least through this forum we are able to find the reassurance and support so often lacking from some of those experts!

    Enjoy those good days and rest and spoil yourself on a bad one knowing that more good ones are around the corner.

    MrsO

  • Posted

    Hi Vierannie!

    I, too, had swollen feet with PMR before I was diagnosed, mainly around the ankles during the day but in the evenings it got to my toes too. I also used to wake with burning feet - like a hot flush but only my feet :lol: - when the PMR was really bad last spring. The other time I had had similar problems had been whilst I was skiing at the end of the season when it is quite warm and sometime my feet used to feel as if they were exploding inside my ski boots! If I took my boots off when I felt it start and let it pass before putting them back on it was OK but if I couldn't do that the pain was excruciating. I have Reynaud's syndrome too (like the white finger vibration syndrome from using power tools) and the feeling is a bit like what is called by scientists/medics a \"reactive hyperaemia\" which is due to the sudden return of blood flow after it has been reduced for some reason and which I have had in my fingers before but I'd never noticed cold feet before it happened.

    Once I started on steroids I realised the swollen feet had gone and at my present dose I still don't have any problem. However, if I try to go down by as little as 0.5mg/2 days the swelling is back. One of things I had with the PMR was pain in the outer edges of my feet - it felt a bit like walking on sharp stones or broken glass but would ease after getting going though it never went away completely. I also get pain and swelling down my arm from the bottom of my thumb joints if I try to reduce the dose. Obviously they're all connected but it would be interesting to know what is causing the fluid retention and how much of that is the cause of the pain. Mind you - it's a great excuse to sit with your feet up (properly, above waist level!)! I realised mine was much worse on the days I had to sit in my office chair in front of the computer for long periods.

    BTW - you appearing as a guest the other day was probably because you'd got logged out on your page. I had the same problem and didn't notice. For some reason I seem to get automatically logged out every so often (about once every couple of weeks) and I don't always notice as I'm supposed to be permanently logged in. Computers... :roll:

    best wishes,

    EileenH

  • Posted

    Hi, Eileen! Good to hear from you. Besides the tingling and swelling, my left foot feels as if it has a band around it - just another strange symptom of this strange disease. I do love the support provided on this web site. It not only makes me feel less alone but also gives me more info for my rheumatoligist. He saw no connection between the foot problem and the PMR; but when I tell him that others have had it (next week), I do believe he will make a note of that - as he seems genuinely compassionate and eager to help and possibly even to learn from his patient(s). Happy days ahead!
  • Posted

    Hi Vierannie!

    When you say your foot feels as if it has a band round it, what do you mean? Part of the sensation in the sides of my feet could have been described as having somehing really tight wrapped around the arch which stopped my foot going into the right position when I stood up after being off my feet for a while. Then it felt as if the bones were sort of rubbing against each other. Does that make sense to anyone? You know, the sort of feeling when someone takes your hand really tightly to shake it - or what little boys try to do to each other!?! It's really only now that I look back and try to think of ways to describe it - at the time I was too preoccupied with trying to move at all after sitting down! :lol:

    I'd complained to GPs, rheumatologists, a musculo-skeletal specialist (glorified physio), ordinary physios, an osteopath and a Bowen practitioner about the various stiffnesses and tendon/ligament pain over a period of 5 years - none of them picked anything up despite my \"there HAS to be SOMETHING not right!\"!!! Maybe we need a focus group on possible presentations in PMR!!

    EileenH

  • Posted

    Having being diagnosed last October found that my bladder control was dia and told to do pelvic floor exercises but really this does not help at all having now  done them for two months. I have read that someone was prescribed medication to help and I woul love to know what it is. Also refence to the tingling mine is mainly my fingers and recently my back.

     

    • Posted

      Invest in some Tena pads and drink plenty of plain water! And I promise it will get better with time!

      Ask your doctor about medication for irritable bladder syndrome.

  • Posted

    Try camomile tea or tablets less side effects and it works a treat relaxes the bladder stops it going into spasm very good for ibs sufferers to

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.