Effects of Cortisone on PD.

[Fed1000]

Due to acute Lumbosciatica, I am taking Cortisone (Medrol 16 mg) in decreasing doses for several weeks. I note however, that my symptoms (tremors, precarious balance, soft legs, etc.) are significantly increased in intensity. Has anyone ever checked it out?

[frankaspergilus]

Hi Fed1000.

I've not been diagnosed with PD although I have many of the symptoms. What's complicating things for me is that I've also been told I have problems with arthritis in most of the joints in my body. I don't know what's causing what.

I've had cortisone injections for the arthritis in my knees and shoulders. For me, they've been pretty much a waste of time. I've also had my own blood plasma recycled and injected back into one of my knees. That was also a waste of time and money. I have balance problems and weakness and pain in my legs which I suppose could be down to the arthritis and how it affects soft tissue, ligaments, tendons and muscles and nerves around the affected joints. I imagine with all that going on loss of strength and control is eventually going to happen. I know what you mean by soft legs so perhaps it's not, or not solely a PD problem.

Have you had x rays done on your knees? Or the whole of your legs? I've realised that, PD or no PD, arthritis can over time cause a lot of movement problems, a lot of rigidity and stiffness and therefore can get confused with similar movement problems found in PD.

The type of tremor I have is not the typical PD tremor but it seems to be internal tremor that could have something to do with inflamed tendons or nerves I suppose, although I've read many posts where people with PD say they have internal tremors as part of their symptoms.

If you don't know yet if you have skeletal problems with your legs I'd ask to have them properly checked out.

My brother definitely has PD but also has problems with arthritis. PD came first. Until his doctors realised he also had arthritis, they assumed all his movement problems were down to PD and kept increasing his PD meds to treat his symptoms. Which, of course only made things worse PDwise.

He was also due to have an injection in his lower back soon because of sciatica and back pain which sounds like it could be similar to your problem.

He's been using a cannabis topical cream on it four times a day and now has no pain so the injection's been cancelled. That might be worth you investigating.

Hope some of the above has helped in some way.

Good luck.

Frank

[Fed1000 in reply to frankaspergilus]

Thank you very much Frank for your very detailed answer. Could you tell me something more about cannabis cream? Thanks

[frankaspergilus in reply to Fed1000]

Hi again.

Am I right in thinking you live in Italy? If so, you'd need to check that it's legal to import cannabis products from the UK where my brother lives and where he buys the cream.

I live in France near, Nice. I ordered cannabis products from the same supplier and my first delivery never made it. It may have been picked up by customs somewhere. The laws in France are not the same as the UK. The supplier send my order again and it got to me OK.

I use the cream but not as often as my brother does but he has regular help from carers who apply it daily.

I've put a link below for the cream below. It's not cheap but good stuff rarely is.

If you do buy some, perhaps mention the words discrete packaging. They'll know what you mean.

cannawell.co.uk/buy-now/bod...

[Fed1000 in reply to frankaspergilus]

Good morning, thank you very much. Yes I live in Italy near Pisa and I don't know the laws that regulate cannabis. I'll get in touch with the manufacturer. Cordial greetings

[frankaspergilus in reply to Fed1000]

Pisa? Just across the bay! If I had a decent pair of binoculars I could probably see you. 🙂

[Fed1000 in reply to frankaspergilus]

😀😀

[frankaspergilus in reply to Fed1000]

The tube of cream is reasonably large by the way. Well, larger than I expected it to be. So I felt better about the price once I saw it.