Feet numbness preb

[Shandon1]

Down from 15 to - 12.5mg preb and my feet are very numb. Any connection I wonder?

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Dubliner, I suffer from numb toes, not from the Pred but due to a spinal problem. However, it's worth checking with your GP, mainly to ensure that it isn't a sign of steroid-induced diabetes.

[bluejaygirl]

Hi Celtic, I am pretty sure I have numb toes because of a spinal problem as well. I herniated L4 L5 Disc about 20 years ago and the last year or so if i lay on my back on the floor or even sleep on my back in bed my middle 2 or 3 toes go numb and start to hurt. I will wake up and cant get back to sleep because my toes hurt. They also feel stiff and arthritic. They seem to get way better when I get up and move around. Is this similar to what happens to you?

Thanks

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hello blujaygirl - Snap! Daren't lie straight out on my back without experiencing exactly the same result with my toes, plus after a while my spine seems to lock unless I have a pillow under my knees. In my case because my spine has slipped at L4/L5, it has a knock on effect on the discs and nerves causing a few bouts of long-term sciatica. As long as I sleep on the right bed and sit on the right chair, and don't trip or go over on an ankle it's more or less under control - a support girdle comes to the rescue in times of need! Spinal surgery is the only option - in fact a dear friend in Australia is about to undergo this procedure on Tuesday....I don't envy her. I do hope your disc isn't causing too much trouble - difficult to tell which pain is PMR and which is the herniated disc, I'm sure.

[csy50]

Bluejay girl and Celtic - I have identical numbness in my 2nd & 3rd toes when I get into bed and lie on my back. It goes away when I move around and I don't feel it when I am walking or upright. It started for me 3.5 years ago when I had been on 40 mg pred for 4 weeks. I have also had a disc prolapse at L4/5 some 25 years ago. So is it the pred or related to the spine?

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

csy50, in my case definitely due to my spinal problem as I experienced the numbness prior to Pred. However, as the inflammation of PMR affects various muscles, including those around the hip/girdle/base of spine then it seems possible that anyone with an existing spinal injury could experience further aggravation. And then, as you suggest, the long term Pred might be playing its part if it weakens the muscles. Food for thought?!!

[bluejaygirl]

Glad to hear its not arthritis, but I sure wish there was something I could do about it as its starting to bother me late in the day as well when my back starts to hurt if I have been on my feet too long. Thanks for sharing your experiences Celtic, csy50 and Dubliner1.

[Griggser]

Just catching up on this one. I had a prolapsed disc at L5 about 25 years ago and have had numb feet and also fingers for a few years now. The Physio I was seeing for my back problems took a look and said it was mortons neuroma and cut some small felt pads to stick on the ball of my feet. The added pressure lifting the small bone up and relieving the pressure on the nerve. To be fair it did seem to help but I have not used the pads for a while and meet are really numb now, can hardly feel the brake pedal when braking which is a bit of a worry as I have braked and accelerated at the same time.

Just thought this might hep those with numb feet?