Withdrawing from pred

[geater16393]

Has anyone had very pains in legs from ankles up to knees?

I feel weakness and drawing pains, sort of like like electric shots

I am on 1.75 mg pred

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I've had shooting pains in arms and legs that I likened to electric shocks for at least the last 3 and a half years - originally I was on about 20mg of Medrol but was switched to 15mg prednisone and am now on 4mg. I can't remember if I had them before but I probably did. Usually I notice that soon after I feel them I have hot flush sensation - very gentle, more a glow these days. I don't think mine were related to the reduction in dose. It is probably something else to do with the autoimmune part of PMR. No doctors ever seemed interested!

[suzieh in reply to PMRpro]

I get them in my legs from knee downwards - only occasionally if I wake in the night. Not nice. As you say Dr not interested!

[geater16393]

Did you have a terrible weakness in legs?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to geater16393]

Not providing I keep going out for my half hour walk a day! If I'm lazy and don't do some exercise then my legs do feel quite jelly-like after a couple of days.

Have you noticed that your legs have become much thinner while on pred? If so, do discuss it with your doctor. Physiotherapy will help combat that. Muscle wasting is a side effect of pred - it doesn't happen often but it does happen.

[raymck]

As posted before, I have had leg calf muscle pain due to arterial sclerosis caused by an old smoking habit and detected by blood flow test done in local surgery by the nurse. Had it before GCA and a year on pred after sight loss in one eye. No better or worse on pred but Cardiovascular Consultant said it's not yet severe enough to risk Angioplasty so will grin and bear it until walking becomes painful at a few hundred yards. Maybe it would be good to get your blood flow checked? Especially if you ever smoked! Let us know how it goes, ok.