83 yr male ,PMR many years ,weakness in legs, doing reasonably well or was !....

83 yr male ,PMR many years ,weakness in legs, doing reasonably well or was !.... Pacemaker 2yr ago, stroke syndrome, 2 months ago. Had got back to weekly swimming. However, last few weeks, legs really ache , swollen, weakness. I have reduced my PRED to 11mg/day in the last few months. Wonder whether the legs are a FLARE with the reduction of PRED.? Considering increasing to cope? What say you PMRPRO? - not meant to be demanding but you have been good for me, amongst so many others, who please -advise, Thanks so much , John

[Yellowbluebell]

Hi john from a fellow scuba diver. My legs always play up and become very heavy and ache when i am about to flare. As you have had some other things going on over the last couple of months i personally would be inclined to put my pred dose up for a while to seenit things settle.

Pmrpro will no doubt be along in a bit to help. YBB

[jinasc]

John have you seen your GP lately and talked to him about the swollen legs and are your ankles swollen as well?

I notice you had a pacemaker fitted two years ago. It might just be water retention which can come on suddenly as sometimes the big muscles in the legs just don't get enough oxygen and need a bit of help.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You have been to the doctor about the swollen legs haven't you? Do you have any other signs of a PMR flare?

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

thank you and all for your comments. Doctor knows and is taking blood tests, aches from buttocks some malaise and down felling ,taking low dose Sertraline. I have noted all points by others and yes they are in small doses. You would not think that 6yr ago was a real scubadiver and was going on forever, hey- ho. Thank you all. John. ps. is extra pred =…...

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

If you are a bit wobbly please try a rollator to. Have support when you are building stamina up. Don't forget these thing are mobilityaids not age aids. My friend had a fall at 84 and I said she should get one so she can keep moving. It has a great solid seat so she stops when she wants. Her gait is much better as is her confidence. Now she says best 90 pounds she has spent. She is whizzing along, stopping for a sit etc. Good luck.

[Yellowbluebell]

Its hard when you have to give up something you love. I was teaching scuba diving whem i noticed i was getting slower and slower when finning to a dive site. I hope i can get back to it and i will be very happy to still be diving at the age you were before pmrx

[prunus]

Do you make any effort to put your legs on a stool when you are sitting to help the blood circulate?

[Hidden in reply to prunus]

Hi prunus , yes whenever I can - it is good advice, thank you. John