Steroid Problems

[VivienneStephenson]

I am new here and am a PMR sufferer since November 2016. I am gradually lowering my steroid dosage and hope to reduce to 7mg on 30 October. My ankles have become very red and swollen. They are itchy, no longer feel like flesh more like hard marble. Does anyone else have this problem and if so what did they do about it.

Many thanks

Vivienne

[SheffieldJane]

Hi Vivienne, Welcome to the site. Your symptoms sound like cellulitis, I have witnessed it in my daughter following a mosquito bite infection. Whatever it is you must consult a doctor as a matter of urgency!

It may not be linked to PMR, but if it is an infection of some kind it will have a fairly free rein because of your compromised immune system. Promise you will have it looked at!!!

[Patricia157]

Hi Vivienne

I got cellulitis five weeks ago and yours sounds very like it. I went to A& E as it was a Saturday. They put me on intravenous antibiotics for four mornings and then by pills. No overnight stay in hospital. You must rest it with your leg up as much as possible.

I suggest, in case it is cellulitis, that you seek medical help as soon as possible as the sooner you get treatment the better.

Best wishes

[SnazzyD]

Hello, it could be cellulitis but usually it isn't the same both sides and tends to travel up the leg rapidly if it worsens. It could just be poor vein function so you are getting pooling of fluid because the blood isn't getting back up the leg properly. This is usually an age thing (sorry) coupled with a tendency you are born with. Look to your relatives' legs, did they have vein problems? The gravity becomes too much and the small vessels in the ankles and feet leak, to give the hot, red appearance from the blood and swelling from the water. This can become permanent staining that looks brown. It can also cause a type of eczema and cracked or scaley skin. Pred does seem to make the veins a bit more fragile as seen in the extra bruising elsewhere. Do get it checked out so that you can get the right preventative measures to avoid cellulitis, ulcers and discomfort like shoes not fitting. In the meantime keep those feet well elevated unless it hurts when you do so.

However, if your feet and toes are cold, pale below the red bit or you get pain in the muscles when walking, get to the doc sooner rather than later because that can indicate a problem with arteries and you can't muck about with that. Or if you feel newly unwell in the rest of your body.