Painful legs

[Jane-s]

I wonder if anyone else experiences painful legs? Only the last few days,,quite hard to drive so couldn’t get to Jazz Appreciation!. Just one leg, got better after resting a bit. Lots of pain today. Is this possibly due to too much rain or too little Prednisolone( 15 mgms)

[Hidden]

It's most likely the PMR. Any swelling or heat? If so seek advice.

The weather has made my left leg ache after I have done my limited forms of exercise. Had you been doing something that could account for it. You will be susceptible to delayed onset muscle soreness I am afraid and rest is the best cure. If you have done anything repetitive or been holding a position like driving it can start to hurt. Fingers crossed it feels better. 🌻

[SheffieldJane]

I have Osteoarthritis in my knees, one worse than the other. All this rain is causing pain and mobility problems. Putting my feet up really helps.

[jinasc]

I would say neither Jane, it is generally because you can get leg claudication. Does it go away after you rest it? Remember PMR impairs the muscles supply of oxygen.

If it persist check it out.

[Jane-s]

Thanks to all of you

[PMRpro Ambassador]

What exactly do you mean? All the leg or just lower/upper/calf/thigh/joints? Is it there all the time - i.e. when you are at rest as well?

[Jane-s in reply to PMRpro]

All the time. Mostly calf and cramp in toes.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jane-s]

Have you tried magnesium supplements/foot baths/spray?

[readingbooks in reply to Jane-s]

I found adding magnesium to my supplements took care of my problem which sounds just like yours. Hope it helps you too.

[Whitner in reply to readingbooks]

Yes Jane-s I too was getting cramps in my toes and had pain in my thighs. Magnesium pills helped get rid of the pain and soaks in Epsom salts. I hope that works for you.

[Dontwannabesick]

I get quite painful and wobbly calf muscles. Think it's due to muscle wastage caused by prednisone. Worse if I overdo things.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Dontwannabesick]

Does it happen when you are walking? And then go away when you rest?

[Dontwannabesick in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, but only really if I have seriously over exerted myself. I can usually walk a mile or two on the flat or gentle slope without a problem, but if I do a heavy job it hits my calves. My legs have gone really thin since being on pred. It's like the feeling if you've done a heavy exercise session at the gym when you're not used to it and your muscles are stiff due to lactic acid build up.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Dontwannabesick]

Ask your doctor to refer you for some physiotherapy. It sounds as if you have developed steroid myopathy - although the walking would normally be enough. But the physio may be able to suggest some more specific exercises to help.

[Dontwannabesick in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks PMR Pro, the rheumy referred me for physio, and they gave me some exercises, but they made things worse. On review the physio said I was probably overdoing things already and not to do the exercises. As I reduce the steroids (now 12mg from 65mg),I can see small improvements. I can now walk up and down steps and feel in control of my legs without the need to cling to some support. And I can spend more time on my feet generally without too many lasting effects. Also at one stage the front of my calf would go into cramp when driving for any distance, and that, thankfully is now a thing of the past.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Dontwannabesick]

NOT to do them - rather than just do fewer to start? How strange.

[Dontwannabesick in reply to PMRpro]

I was only given 5 reps of each, and one day of doing them left me in pain for a week. It was unbelievable.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Dontwannabesick]

I'm not entirely surprised having been there! What were you to do?

[Dontwannabesick in reply to PMRpro]

Stand holding the back of a chair, raise up onto tiptoe, then down flat foot. 5 times. Stand with 1 foot at floor level and 1 two steps up and lunge forward. There were two more but one of them was impossible as I couldn't keep my balance, I forget what the details were. I felt like I'd run a marathon without any prep. I'm sure it's pred related 'cos I never had these issues before taking it. I used to do 2 x 3 mile walks every day with my dogs.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Dontwannabesick]

Lord - obviously doesn't know much about PMR! The pred doesn't help as you will have become deconditioned - had you started right at the start it would have been better - but the a/i part of PMR is attacking the muscles and making them intolerant of acute exercise. It is in some recommendations that an appropriate physio regimen should be started quickly to reduce thie risk of this problem developing.

One of those and maybe even fewer reps would have been a better start - it doesn't take that long to build it up if you don;t cripple the patient at the start!

[piglette]

I have painful legs particularly the calf part. I mentioned to a rheumy who shrugged and said “Oh you would expect that”!

[Noosat]

For what it's worth - I had a very. very active, for me at this time, Saturday, and on Sunday had aching legs and hips. (Hips could be osteoarthritis and loss of calcium), I decided not to up the prednisone rom 4mg. I thought that I should wait for a couple of days to see what occurs. I slept well last night (unusual) with no leg cramps and am doing a little better this morning. My thought is why go up on the prednisone if this is a temporary setback of , hopefully, a few days. To go back up has a depressing effect on me, although if need be, I will do it.

[Boss302Fan]

I have a Bowflex Ultimate 2 which uses rods of different “max” resistance and when doing exercises the resistance starts low and increases gradually as the rods are bent more. Using the lower rods (5 - 10 lbs) and doing 5 reps a couple of times a day on a muscle group has worked for me. I don’t exercise the day after.

Also, while I haven’t done it, have you checked local fitness centers that have a swimming pool? Do exercises in the pool, the natural resistance of the water is gentle and soothing at the same time.

[tangocharlie]

I've always had problems with my legs since getting PMR, particularly calves and I think steroids actually made it worse as they broke down the muscle. I kind of have to really tense my legs to walk. I used to get leg and foot cramp every night but it's now controlled if I take daily magnesium tablets. If I miss a tablet I get cramp, so I'm sure it helps. I have magnesium phosphate, not sure how other varieties of magnesium eg citrate, stearate, compare.

[Jane-s]

I have decided that Pilates isn’t suiting me at the moment. Lot of pain the last few days and GP has increased my Prednisalone to 20mgms again . Pilates not a good decision today.

Not such a good day today

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jane-s]

Never try to compete with the rest of the class - and discuss it with the instructor. Mine was wonderful and adapted things for me.