Swollen ankles whilst on Prednisolone

Hi everyone, I have developed very swollen ankles presume Prednisolone is causing it. Usually settles down overnight. How can I deal with it please?

[Hidden]

Hi Patricia, have you told your doc? Just need to run it past him especially if you are on other meds for BP etc. The main thing is to put your feet up for a while every day. In my view at the moment take an hour or two laying on the bed with your feet on a pillow or two.. I sVes your knees if all your leg is supported. But speak to your Dr just to check. 🌻

[VAl4266 in reply to Hidden]

Yes this happened. To me, went to have it checked out, it was discovered I had diabetics, very high type 2 and now I'm on lots of meds and diet to try and solve the problem good luck

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Poopadoopy, I was ok with the Pred but then addition of daily BLOOD thinners for Stroke and my legs and ankles swelled up. All relief measures as yourself & others followed but my Doctor prescribed 'Credalast' stockings -made to measure. Very Good- the shop bought white stockings I am afraid do not anyway do not do the same

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you as always for excellent advice, after a lengthy discussion with my Doctor I dropped my Prednisolone from 15mgs to 14mgs for 3 weeks. Doctor needed to be persuaded by me to accept tapering too quickly was causing me a problem. However, after 3 weeks dropped to 13mgs but after a week suffered a flare up. So back to 14mgs, however feel utterly exhausted and flare up of PMR symptoms which I am finding difficult to cope with. Should I increase to 15mgs again only I feel I am failing to comply with what my GP is asking me to do.

[Marijo1951]

I did have badly swollen ankles and feet for a time when I was on a higher dose of pred. It was so bad, I assumed it was permanent so I gave away several pairs of shoes. I regret that now as the swelling eventually subsided, probably when I came down to single figures.

[Purple-Owl in reply to Marijo1951]

I too had very swollen ankles during start of taking pred. Got compression socks but they were too tight, impossible to drag on and I never used them, Ankles have now returned to normal. I'm on 5mg.

[Blearyeyed]

Certainly sounds like water retention as the swelling eases as you have your legs up in bed at night .

Of course , you can't be sure what is being affected by your steroids , other medications or health issues to increase the water retention so you do need to have it checked at your GP when you can with blood checks of your electrolytes , liver and for Diabetes and BP checks.

In the meantime you will help it by raising your legs up on a stool or the sofa when you sit down and doing little walks around the house through the day to improve your circulation.

Try reducing your salt and sugar intake .

If you don't drink much you may need more fluids , the exact requirements for this will show up in your blood tests though.

If you wear compression clothing don't wear them during the night.

While sitting also wriggle your toes and rubbing your ankles and calves regularly can also improve the circulation helping the water to be redirected.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

As long as it settles overnight it is usually felt to not be very concerning but mention it to the doctor if you get the chance.

Have you tried cutting carbs, and more so, salty and processed ones? I find I develop swollen feet after a couple of days eating restaurant food! Solely because of the salt that all commercial enterprises seem to think is essential! I use no salt at home except what is in the salad herb mix. OH, on the other hand, eats a lot of ham and the like and drowns his chips in salt - and STILL has low sodium!

[piglette]

If you find out ket me know. My GP and the rheumatologist shrug and say it is due to the steroids.