Hello All
I apologise in advance if this just sounds like a great big 'whinge' but I am feeling a wee bit fed up !
I wrote a post here recently about straining an Achilles tendon - and that (possibly) being a consequence of long term use of Prednisone. I know this can happen for other reasons but there is sufficient evidence that tendons can become more susceptible with extended corticosteroid use. OK I accept that and would certainly prioritise my eyesight over anything else (almost) anyway. It is however annoying that I also had to increase my dose in relation to a GCA 'flare' at about the same time this first happened - so I am still back up at 25mg - and was only at about 15mg when this new problem emerged.
From the comments of others here and what I have so far deduced from elsewhere this could be a long term and somewhat intractable problem in itself as not exercising can make things worse and doing exercise - even carefully controlled forms - can still be problematic in terms of the healing process and or triggering 'new' damage. I have been managing reasonably well although I have had to reduce my walking a lot and make myself rest more - BUT I am having a nasty problem with cramping pain in my calf which wakes me at night and very early in the morning.
It makes me laugh to read some people have CORTISONE injections to assist with this - although it is interesting my pain level is at its highest when my Pred level is likely at its lowest. This cramping is horrid - just like waking to one of those calf cramps we have all had at some point but which doesn't abate often for hours and obviously apart from painkillers like panadol or codeine - which have limited effect anyway and lots of heat bags - I can't think of anything else I can do. I have a reasonably good physio who is trying to introduce some tiny exercises - but they seemed to make things much worse after only the most cautious undertaking !!
I tried some magnesium as I thought my electrolytes might be a little askew but that only resulted in several awful hours of what ended up being like prep for a colonoscopy - so NOT doing that again any time soon !!
Anyway I would be very appreciative of ideas, experiences or insights others might have with this 'side effect' which to date (after about 18 months on moderate-high Pred doses) has been the only serious one I appear to have had - so I guess i should consider myself 'lucky' - even if I am fed up !!
Best wishes to you all and thanks for 'listening' !!
Rimmy
Is the calf pain like a cramp? Maybe you need more magnesium. Try Epsom salts baths or footbaths as apparently it's readily absorbed through the skin. Pred can upset our electrolyte balance and magnesium is one of our electrolytes. Also, if we're taking extra calcium the balance between the two can get out of kilter.
Hi HeronNS yes very like a typical calf cramp and as I mentioned I tried some magnesium - but will use the bath trick instead next time as ingesting it was a disaster for me !! I am pretty sure the cramping is related to my damaged tendon though - I just wish it wasn't at its worst in the middle of the night !
Thanks
Rimmy
I have them too! They are awful, then the next day I’m really tired from lack of sleep. They are also worst if I’ve had a busier day then usual and not drank enough water. Also I too do the magnesium. It’s all so baffling! Where’s the end to it all? ! !!
I am sorry to hear that MaryA - I know what it's like. I am just hoping one day all the 'bad stuff' will evaporate at once - and maybe we will all get 'lucky' ?
I do drink a lot of water and coffee and I know you can overdo it and feel quite tacky if your electrolytes are 'out' but in this case I do feel it's stemming most likely from my inflamed Achilles - although it could be a mixture of both - but as you say goodness knows what else and 'where IS - the end to it ...'!? (LOL - or trying to)
My lower leg pains (in shins not calves) went away after I started consuming more salt.
That’s interesting, HeronNS, because I don’t consume a lot of salt either. Never have.
What's the timing on taking magnesium? With the prednisone or later in the day with the calcium? I too have muscle aches that seem more related to needing magnesium than PMR and am not sure what I can take when anymore...
I would avoid taking it with prednisone. And it is usually advised not to take additional magnesium at the same time as calcium, unless all along you've been taking a balanced formula pill. The problem is that excess calcium will interfere with the absorption of the magnesium. I tend not to take magnesium capsules for this reason, but when I do I skip my bedtime calcium and take magnesium instead. Depending on your daily routine you may find a time at least two hours away from a calcium dose, say teatime or morning coffee break, when you can take the magnesium. A lot of people can't really tolerate much oral magnesium, gives them the runs, so you won't want to be taking much anyway. Magnesium is to plants, apparently, what iron is to animals. So it's available in good quantities in a lot of the foods we eat. I enjoy an Epsom salts bath about once every week or two, instead of magnesium capsules. Easier and pleasant. A foot bath works for those who prefer to shower.
Thank you