Pred or wear and tear?

[Singr]

I've just had appointment with Rheumy. Now just reduced from 50mg nearly 2 years ago to 8mg and my left knee has now become sore and I can't bend it properly. I now need to have a knee ex-ray as there is obvious swelling and fluid build up behind the kneecap now forming a lump to the right of my knee. Rheumy says it's wear and tear. I'm 55 and constantly being told that. I'm convinced its the effects of the steroids.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

The problem may be exacerbated by the Pred, but I doubt it’s totally down to it.

Best get it checked soonest, then hopefully something can be done to relieve the issue. Please let us know.

[Singr in reply to DorsetLady]

I will thanks. I’m like a car that has reached a certain age and you need to keep spending money on it to keep it going.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Singr]

When you get to my age - you need a second mortgage to pay for the repairs!🤦🏻‍♀️

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Singr]

Yes - as DL says, give it another few years!!!

OTOH - it beats the alternative.

[Hidden]

Have you ever had issues with that knee before? I had bursitis in an already injured knee from 30plus years ago (didn't cause problems before). More recently an elbow that was injured in RTA when I was 17 has morphed into golfers elbow. Mainly because I have to throw the dogs ball a weird underarm way due to the injury putting undue stress on the ligaments. It seemed all the little niggles I had from injuries and accidents have started to get worse.

Over the years as my gait as altered bits and bobs go wrong. It's tendonitis in my ankle this month..didn't wear proper shoes and have less developed muscle in that leg. That gives referred pain into my hip. Combination of pred, mechanical, neurological and aging issues??

[Singr in reply to Hidden]

Never had joint issues until the scourge of PMR.

[Roltuba]

I seem to have said all this a lot recently, but:

Male, 71 years, PMR over 4 years, now on 8mg Pred.

I’ve had swollen & sore knees before, one at a time, which resolved within a couple of weeks. One was even swollen at a Rheumy visit and she was a bit bemused but put it down to the PMR. Recently I’ve had another swollen and very painful knee which didn’t go away for a couple of months. Rheumy wasn’t interested though said it might need a steroid injection. So I went to my GP, who sort of said Gosh, and had 25ml of fluid sucked out and a steroid injection. Immediate relief, and it’s felt perfectly OK now for 3 weeks. The rest of me also feels much better now I’m not limping.

My theory is that I damaged something while gardening, probably sitting in the veg patch, though didn’t notice much at the time. A known side effect of Pred is fragile tendons/ligaments so best be more careful than you think. OH had a similar occurrence while on Tamoxifen but hers required surgery. Try the GP!

[Singr]

I think it looks like I will have to get the fluid removed it's in a big lump.

[Blearyeyed in reply to Singr]

Good luck and take care with it.

[Hollyseden]

Will be interested to read the replies here. I have trouble with my knees too. Stiff and sore which I blame on my age but..... every now and then I get a strange collapse feeling on my knee. Suddenly my leg gives way. Strange but I've got used to it. Friends etc, not so much ☺️ They think I will really fall on my face when my knee goes.

[stellafmdm in reply to Hollyseden]

Me too Hollyseden! Mine is due to OA which gives me a jab every now and again!

[Singr in reply to Hollyseden]

Yes yes and yes. My knees don't feel secure in their sockets any more. No more high heels. :-(. I've had a couple of falls.

[Vernsy]

Since starting prednisone I am swollen everywhere. My knees both need replacing but the pain has got worse. My ankles and bottom of my legs feel like they are going to burst. Couldn’t get shoes on. My liver feels enlarged and I’m shaking like crazy. I’ve never felt so bad in all my life. I feel like I cannot lift my arms to wash my hair. I have red marks all over my skin and my face is massive and hard. Just hate these tablets

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Vernsy]

Have you tried cutting salt and carbs - both induce fluid retention. I also got great relief from manual lymph drainage. Cutting all processed carbs does both at a single stroke. Cutting sugar also has the benefit of being an anti-inflammatory action - and may help you reduce the dose of pred.

Yes, the potential adverse effects of pred are unpleasant - but if you take control you can help avoid or minimise most of them when you know how. And there are plenty of people here who can tell you what to try.

[Singr in reply to PMRpro]

I was doing low carb before and was doing great. Then I started studying. OMG how my eating suffered. The weight piled on so I'm not surprised. So I'm back at it again. I always feel much better cutting out processed carbs.