Aching weak legs

[barbthy]

I am trying to go from 7mg prednisone to 6.5 msg using the DSNS method. Since

starting the decrease my legs feel like I have shin splints from walking several miles. I am stiffer and achier than before. I usually have some increased soreness when I decrease doses but it has never lasted this long. I am on the 3rd week of the decrease.

[HeronNS]

How long did you stay on 7 mg before attempting the taper? Sometimes we have to try a few times before a taper "takes" especially when we get down to low levels like 7. I remember having the feelings you describe when I was at about 4, and I think it lasted quite a while. I still get leg pain occasionally, often when at rest. But it doesn't feel like PMR pains at all so I suppose it was something to do with the pred. Over the past couple of years I've lost a lot of strength, and I do blame pred, not PMR directly and I think these leg pains are part of it. I wonder, too, if it has something to do with blood circulation and maybe somehow the blood flow is a bit restricted for some reason? I find I often feel better if I can keep my lower limbs warm, and if I flex my feet up and down, thereby stretching muscles in the shins and calves, it seems to help a little.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If it were me I'd go back to 7mg and see if that helps - it sounds as if you are absolutely on the border of the dose you need. Often it works if you wait a month or two and then try again. And it isn't a good time of year to reduce - however slowly you try it!

[karools16]

In my 3rd week of DSNS, and tapering from 7mg to 6.5, I had to give up, and return to 7mg. Don't know if I had leg pains....I do now.Think it was my mood that was low? I just don't remember things as I used to, but I don't force it.Hope you better soon.