Cold knees

[laithers]

Does anyone suffer from cold knees from the moment you wake up? Mum has been getting this since her pred has been reduced to 5mg, off to see the Rhemy on Wednesday but he has said in the past that PMR doesn't affect the legs?? She is also getting pains in her calf muscles.

[polkadotcom]

Yes. I do. I would not in a million years have thought this question would arise, it's just something I've noticed and - things being as they are - it's on file in my head, but not something I've tried to solve as yet (except with a hot water bottle on my knees).

To eliminate the obvious, is she sitting in any kind of draft? Does she wear trousers or skirts, I've found that trousers are warmer and often sit at the computer with a fleece blanket over my lap as well.

Not sure where your Rheumy is coming from, but PMR for me and many others meant pains in hips and thighs and very often calf muscle pain too.

However there are other auto-immune conditions which can lead to similar symptoms, so if you are able to ask the question of the Rheumy when you see him, I'll see what I can find in the meantime!

[Hidden]

Hi Laithers,what a lovely person you are to be helping to help your Mum with answers,mind you I get similar help and also especially members of PMRGAUK. But to the question- I am 77year Father on 20 mg Pred since July'13.I am active was used to the cold like diving in 10 degree water. But now feel the cold more generally, if I stand up now off the chair the backs of my thighs will feel cold and legs below a little weak and painful.My circulation is generally good as is my blood pressure. I put this down to the PMR. In the winter I was wearing long Johns,never before, perhaps for ladies thermal -winter or heavy denier stockings in summer- I think i am beginning to tread on thin ice here with this advise!As to the calf muscles,I had pain in the left calf,know I do not want a blood clot so checked with Doc and it was diagnosed as Phlebitis.so it best to get this checked out.

John

[pennyw Administrator PMRGCAuk team member]

Interestingly I find that in the night as the pred wears off then my legs, arms and shoulders in particular start to ache. The area where they ache gets really cold - so cold that I can't sleep.

It was so bad on Friday and Saturday that I decided to buy myself a sleeping bag to sleep in under the duvet! However, I think I solved the problem last night - went to bed wearing pyjamas and a nightdress on top and bedsocks! Not attractive! But with layers I was comfortably warm and only woke up two or three times which is good for me!

The pain in your mother's legs might mean that the pred reduction is too quick?

Good luck with the GP visit.