Calf pains

[Shandon1]

Calf pains in both legs. Came down from 7mg to 6mg pred is this the cause? Not able to walk

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Did you reduce from every day 7mg to every day 6mg just like that? If so, it could be. You really need to smooth the drop out a bit so it isn't such a shock to the system. If it improves over the next week or so, fair enough. If it doesn't I'd say you need to go back to 7mg and once it has calmed down, try another reduction but much slower. There are plenty of references to slow reduction on the forum.

[raymck]

My calf pain existed even before GCA due to sclerosis in leg arteries so preds did not have any impact either way. Our surgery nurse did a blood flow test with a device which measures the degree of restriction and came up with 50 to 70% in my case which means pain cuts in after 1/2 mile of walking normally. May be worth a check in case it's nothing to do with preds? Just a thought and not very helpful if it is due to fast withdrawal but a pal of mine had to have angioplasty as he couldn't walk 100 yards without pain in legs. Good luck with the withdrawal and hope it goes away if not due to claudification.

raymck

[JANNYROSE]

Definitely, I did the same a few days ago, down from 6mg to 5mg. Got up next day and my calf's were shocking, I could only hobble....amongst other Poly probs. So went back up 1mg & starting to get back to how I was a few days previously. Shall be dropping half mg next time, I just thought I felt too good for any problems to filter back in, hence the 1mg drop. So never under estimate Poly. Hope you feel better soon.....

[Shandon1]

Thanks. My Img are too small to cut in half so will alternate between 7 and 6mg for a week or so!

[nuigini]

FYI, 100 mg tablet of magnesium keeps the muscle cramps at bay for me. Prior to PMR I took magnesium to avoid the foot and leg cramps I got at night and often when swimming. When I went on prednisone I was initially advised to stop taking it. After a month the foot and leg cramps were back worse than ever and I began to experience cramping in my hands. I advised my medical practitioner and went back to taking the magnesium. No more cramping! Cramps have not reappeared over the past 8 months of tapering.

[Shandon1]

Thanks. Will try the magnesium!

[Lisa630]

Magnesium worked for my leg cramps too. . ,give it a go. X x