any side effects with taking steroids?

[briansnail]

I believe my GP has finally diagnosed PMR. Im concerned that there will be side effects? Eswpecially as i take Ropinarole for Restless legs syndrome.

[herdysheep]

Hello and welcome. There will be others along soon with plenty of knowledge and experience. In the meantime, I do not believe there is any medication without the potential for side effects. There are lots of posts on here about how people have mitigated a lot of the effects, especially having a low carb diet as soon as you can when starting steroids. You have to see steroids as friendly in that if you have pmr or gca there is no effective alternative. Medical views seem to vary according to what experience they have of our conditions. Lots on here about how to manage that, too!

I can remember feeing a bit 'weird' when I first started the steroids as the body got used to them but the easing of pain and mobility suddenly enables was wonderful.

[Artsister in reply to herdysheep]

I had PMR about 3 years ago, after about a year on prednisone my right hip started hurting. My rheumatologist dismissed it as bursitis —but it wasn’t. Prednisone can cause avascular neucrosis —which shut down the blood supply to my hip and ruined the bone, I had to have a hip replacement. I am still sad about it. Unfortunately PMR has returned after being off prednisone for two years. Prednisone scares me. My bones overall have been diagnosed much worse than they were 3 years ago.

Hoping you don’t have side effects!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

For most people the effect it has on the PMR symptoms is more than enough compensation for the adverse effect - most of which can be mitigated or managed, even avoided, whenyou know how. Are there any particular side effects that worry you?

Have you had RLS for long? Some people find it happens in PMR.

[123-go]

Hi there. It's my understanding that many people have no serious side effects from Prednisolone, others have some and a very few have them all. I'm happy to be corrected if I'm mistaken.Your GP should be prescribing vitamin D and calcium to protect your bones. If that's not happening, ask. Vit D is also helpful for restless leg syndrome. Ropinarole will have no effect on Pred. Have you had any advice on coping with RLS apart from being prescribed ropinarole?

[briansnail in reply to 123-go]

Thanks for your positive response. My dosage for ropinarole has gradually increased to a maximum limit. I have adopted lots of things that increase RLS. Rich foods,no alcohol. Iron,magnesium etc.

[123-go in reply to briansnail]

Wishing you well as you go forward. Come back at any time with updates.

[briansnail in reply to 123-go]

My Dr now insists that i do not have PMR and recommended i start a 3 month course of VitD3 as my latest blood test showed all normal with a slight deficiency in vitD. I was not happy with a further 3 months of VitD suspecting that it was not the solution to my PMR lookalike symptoms. I spoke further with another Dr who has referred me to a specialist muscle consultant in a local hospital. Also a X Ray to check my Neck pain and stiffness. Regarding my Restless legs syndrome RLS. I tried a sample of THC recently and it was successful!

[123-go in reply to briansnail]

Hi Briansnail. It's good news that your doctor has referred you to a specialist as he doesn't appear to know that blood tests aren't always reliable in diagnosing PMR. The X-ray will also be useful. As you say, the vit D won't solve your pain problems if you do indeed have PMR but it won't do you any harm although it's usually talked with calcium.

Good that your RLS has responded well to THC but If you choose to continue with that and you are diagnosed with PMR you should mention that to the specialist. Good luck.

[piglette]

Steroids are a wonder drug and they do work miracles. It is sad they have got a bad name for side effects. I am sure no one has had all of them and some people have had none.

[SheffieldJane]

Just to add. My restless leg syndrome was greatly helped by Magnesium supplements - even cutting short an attack when in progress.

[briansnail in reply to SheffieldJane]

hi jane

what dosage of magnesium did you take? was it a ill r powder?

[SheffieldJane]

Mine are 480 mg Magnesium with 10 mg of zinc.