I have noticed recently (after 12 months of pred), that my arms are soooo wrinkled. I am not a big woman so not a lot of muscle/fat to fill the skin out. Is this the experience of others? I’m not that vain, but I am self-conscious. One more question ... when taking calcium/vit D supplements, I have read here that it’s best not to take at the same time as pred. If this true, can you please explain why? Thanks team ...
Thin skin ... literally, haha.: I have noticed... - PMRGCAuk
Thin skin ... literally, haha.
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The calcium interferes with the absorption of the pred - one pharmacist said it was an effect due to the calcium supplement coating the pred tablets. However, prednisolone also impairs the absorption of calcium from the gut. This study
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
suggests that "calcium malabsorption in the corticosteroid-treated patients is due to a dose-related abnormality of vitamin D metabolism and not to a direct effect of corticosteroids on depressing transmucosal intestinal absorption of calcium."
Your vit D is important in preventing loss of bone density with steroids.
Thank you for that. So probably better to take it with lunch?
You shouldn't be taking more than 600mg at a time anyway - body can't absorb more at one time - so we usually say pred for breakfast, calcium lunch and dinner (or any other meal/snack so there is a bit of fat to help the transport).
Yes, that sounds right. Was wondering if taking it with dairy is OK, I have researched and there doesn’t seem to be a problem with that.
You mean the pred? Dietary calcium is rarely in such large quantities - applies for a lot of things, dietary is OK, care is needed with supplements. Though spinach and rhubarb aren't good with calcium supplements - oxalic acid stops absorption of the calcium.
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Pred does cause skin to be thinner and less resilient, but can’t say I noticed the wrinkles - usually it has the opposite effect - very often we say it’s cheaper than Botox.
Since off Pred Ive noticed my upper arms are a bit more wrinkled than they were...but I put that down to age! Probably not the answer you want....sorry 🤦🏻♀️🤣😂🤣
Thanks for that ... it has happened quickly. I don’t mind aging, just wondered.
Mine (arms and legs) are very thin skinned and wrinkly too - almost predictable with age and PMR (with me). It's worst for those who haven't enough fat to fill the skin.😂 I hurt when I sit on a hard surface. Still, better than the weight most PMRers suffer on pred.
When I relax my arms, they just wrinkle like crazy. This is a new phenomenon. I feel like my body is just disappearing beneath thin skin. Not to worry, least of the side effects. Yes, not suffering with weight gain ... very fortunate there.
I have found not gaining weight , and occasionally loosing it , on my medications have added to the wrinkly appearance and fragility of my skin , especially with steroids .
Before GCA and Steroids , I had many pain and joint issues and dry skin , but both the toll of the added illness and side effects of the medication have aged my face and body skin by at least 10 years. I am beginning to look as unwell as I feel.
Having more zinc , magnesium , vitamins A, C, D, and E and Omega 3 in my diet , or through a daily supplement , and using a good fragrance free moisturiser with coconut oil , or topical cream with zinc and magnesium on problem spots, after a warm shower have helped.
Having enough folates , B vitamins and Iron also reduce bruising and the dark patches and circles under your eyes .
Soluble fibre can also improve digestion which helps us absorb more nutrients and reduces dehydration caused by a sluggish system. Often an improvement in digestive health can make a big difference to our skin health.
Wearing layers , getting some protection and cushioning from clothes and wearing breathable cotton also helps .
Also curing from within with those nutrients in my food , and good hydration ( 1.5/2ltrs of mineral water or green tea everyday ) can keep the more common bruises or minor injuries from happening or improves their recovery by helping improve the elasticity of your skin.
I notice some mornings that the skin on my forearms is crepey if I lift them up horizontally - a sign of age they say - but it goes away after a couple of mugs of tea ...
I think my skin has got more wrinkly, especially arms since taking pred but I don't know if it's the pred or just that I'm getting older 😦
Yes, I've had this effect. In fact, I've noticed that everything about me aged when I started pred. My gums receded, where they'd been fine before, and fine wrinkles appeared on my arms, and I've been subject to those little red bruises, although only once did the skin tear (in February this year, took several months before the resulting scar disappeared). Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! I really am going to blame pred, not PMR, for this as the effects along with a number of hidden side effects, occurred with pred and not before (increased ocular pressure, increased blood sugar, possibly bone thinning but no proof of that).
Incidently I've found that a bedtime dose of calcium (with a little snack like yoghurt or kefir) is a great sleep aid!
Hi, I'd like to try your bedtime calcium idea but what form of calcium do you take? I've read that iCal can cause irritation of the bladder and the last thing I need is getting up to the loo even more frequently 😩🤔
I find that as long as I drink plenty during the day I don't get irritation which has been a problem for me on days when I take 2 tablets and am travelling or something so I don;t drink as much.
Calcium hyroxyapatite, 300 mg or calcium citrate, 250 mg with kefir or yoghurt, and usually at least half an hour before I lie down to sleep. Often have a bit more of a snack then anyway because I need calories and don't want to lie down with a full stomach.
Thanks that's really useful. Will try it. Not sure about my body's reaction to iCal.
What is iCal?
medicines.org.uk/emc/produc...
maybe?
Thanks! iCal is a computer program, and then I learned about ionizing calcium but eventually found this, and thought it must be the one. Dose too big, and it's carbonate. No wonder people have problems.
Oh thanks, I will try that. I too blame the pred ... thin skin, increased blood pressure, bones and sugar! Bloody hell, what will I be like in another 12 months??
My skin is like tissue paper but I have discovered manuka honey dressings and manuka honey ointment. It is amazing. Helps reduce scarring and open wounds, also clears small spots and lesions. Every little helps! 😀
Isn't manuka honey a bit sticky! My arms arm dreadful, bruises,tears and wrinkles!! Anything that would help is most welcome. 😀
Yes! Haha, I have visions of slapping honey all over my body and making a complete mess and then bees arriving through the back door and all kinds of other images!!! The mind boggles!!
It's different , seems funny but it works , especially for things like deep slow healing cuts or ulcers.
It's actually recommended on the Dermatology Society Doctors research articles for wound care .
Yes, after 4 months of Pred my arm muscles have all but disappeared and I'm really wrinkly. Trying to do light exercises but no improvement noted yet!
2 things.... Water and lots of it and double base gel. It's a lovely non sticky type lotion and I try to remember to apply to arms and legs twice a day and before a shower. I think it was jinasc who suggested it and its really good. Even if I forget to put it on everyday it helps. I am quite big but lost almost a stone in 6 weeks because of a tummy bug and my legs got really crinkly. It really helps smooth out the skin. 🌻
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Double base gel, do I just ask for that at the chemist? Thanks Poopadoops!
Try chemist's they can order it or try online.
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I just tried my chemist. They had heard of it but it’s a UK product, not available in Australia. I’m going to order it online from ChemistConnect. Thanks for the tip.
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My GP gave it to me on prescription
I had lost about 11/2 stone with GCA & my arms were really wrinkly & old looking. Now I've put that needed weight back on they look much better
Agree with all the replies but I also take a daily dose of marine collegen powder dissolved in a glass of milk. It takes a while to have an effect but my wrinkly arms and legs are improving. I've also noticed that the red bruising is much less and when it does happen it disappears very quickly.
I also find Bio Oil helps with the dry crepey skin.
IT also helps with hair and nails. My nails are stronger and I haven't noticed any hair loss above the usual amount since being on Prednisalone.
Hope it helps you.
Hi, glad I am not on my own with arm wrinkles !!! I thought old age as when I hold my arm across by gum looks awful !!
Yes, I know. I'm in Australia and so quite hot with arms exposed most of the time. Yuk!! Just another little gift from pmr and pred. 🙄
Moisturising really helps my wrinkly under inside forearm bit. I am 58 and it looks like crepe paper if I don't slather in lotion/dbg
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I use coconut oil , perhaps nhs will give us a skin lift 😂😂
There are far too many saggy bits now! 😂😂😂
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😂😂 inside near my groin looks terrible with flab’s !! Hardly any muscle left !! Nhs does look after us 😂😂😂
That's my main issue after I lost weight with a tummy bug thing! A lovely wrinkly patch. The doublebase gel helps.
I find all the information about supplements really interesting. Also worth remembering to take vitamin K2 alongside D3 as it helps to improve bone density rather than calcium furring up the arteries and fine vessels within the body.
Yes, that is something I need to learn more about. Thanks.
My arms are very wrinkled & my skin bruises & rips very easily on pred. I have been on pred. since May, 2018. Started on 20 mg, down to 7 /1/2 mg. Hope it improves as I lower the dose.