Fingers locking/cramping

[Petcut]

Hi was diagnosed with Polymyalgia in January currently on 30mg daily Pred for about a week now I’m getting continued locking /cramping of fingers,which isn’t painful but very annoying,anyone else have this or know anything about it ie what’s causing it?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Try taking a magnesium supplement - pred makes you lose magnesium and calcium through the urine and both being low can lead to muscle cramps. I also had cramps due to PMR without being on pred. Magnesium is the most likely - if that doesn't help ask your GP to check your blood level for calcium.

What dose did you start at if you are still at 30mg after nearly 2 months?

[Petcut in reply to PMRpro]

I started on 15mg daily but was taken to a&e 20th February as I had jaw pain,the Dr in a&e spoke on the phone to a Dr in Rhuemy and between them mixed up my body weight and put me on 60mg (well overdose ) which I took for 5 days,at which point they sent for me to go back to see them (think the fault had been discovered) no apology just instructed to reduce to 40mg next day which I did and then reduce 5mg weekly which should bring me back to 15mg by my booked appointment on phone to see how things are,but I’m getting more concerned about this fast reduction as I’m getting nigling aches in jaws and now my hands,so may ring the Rhuemy and have a word before lowering the dose this week

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Petcut]

Sounds as if the 60mg might well have been right - wonder why they decided it wasn't? And definitely - if you are getting jaw pain speak to someone first. Is the jaw pain when you are eating? And goes away if you stop? Or is it sharp pain at the angle of the jaw?

But at those doses, could well be magnesium depletion. Worth a try - and don't take too much at a time, it can have a laxative effect!

[Petcut in reply to PMRpro]

The Dr in Rhuemy told me 60mg was way to much for my body weight (8stone) I’m a very small lady 4’11”tall,when I get the jaw ache it’s there all the time,yes right on the actual joint,thank you for your reply it’s a big help

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Petcut]

Well he's not entirely correct! 1mg per kg up to a maximum of 70mg is the basic guide for GCA that includes visual symptoms and/or jaw pain. GCA jaw pain is usually during chewing and goes when you stop chewing only to start again when you start to chew again. But what you describe could well be a TMJ disorder (tempromandibular joint).

[Petcut in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for that very interesting,I’m not feeling very impressed with any of the Drs.I’ve seen so far on my short journey, it’s all feeling a bit hit and miss and that scares me,I like to feel at least that I’m doing the right thing to help myself.Don’t much like the sound of this TMJ will go see what I can find on that now thank you

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Petcut]

Have a look a these - ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/le...

nhs.uk/conditions/temporoma...

[Petcut in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you so much for those links makes me feel so much better in the fact that I’m pretty convinced that this is the problem I’m experiencing on and off and nowhere as frightening as GCA