Hello everyone,
I went back to work for half a day today, mainly a mixture of sitting, walking and some stair climbing. I’ve just noticed a puffiness around both of my ankle bones.
Is this a side effect of Pred or something more concerning.
Does anyone else have the same or similar experience? 🤔
Pred can cause fluid retention. It makes you retain sodium and lose more potassium. I became very sensitive to salt and had to cut out almost all. You could try reducing salt and wearing a class 1 compression sock such as that bought over the counter. If the swelling is only one side, I’d get it looked at or if there is heat or pain in the calf.
Thank you for you speedy response. The swelling is in exactly the same place on both ankles. It’s gone down a little now I’ve raised my legs. 🙁
When on Pred my veins were much more prone to being distended, especially my leg veins. Heat was a devil as well as the salt.
Have you eaten anything different in the last few days? Been out for a meal for example?
No I haven’t. I did wear different footwear today because the weather was so warm. I wondered if it’s a combination of heat and new shoes.🤔
Can different food to normal diet cause swelling?
If it is saltier than you are used to - I use no salt at home in cooking so if we eat out a couple of times my feet can turn into footballs! But yes - new shoes and heat could do it.
I have puffy ankles and feet caused by pred.
I too am puffy. Face, fingers and legs....so must be Pred as I was fine before starting it. I can't wear any of my rings, not even wedding ring, so hope it goes down as I reduce. Currently taking more 8 mg than 9 mg...so keeping my puffy fingers crossed !!
Just had to take my wedding ring off ! im puffy in all the same places !!
I can’t wear my rings either. 
I'm in the puffy ankle club too. Hi!
Like Staplehurst, I seem to be pretty puffy all over. My fingers are particularly bad when I walk more than a couple of miles, especially in this warmer weather. This has been happening for several years but seems to be happening more since PMR/pred.
I have tried putting blocks under the foot of the bed. It's been determined by the wood offcuts that I could find in the garage so is not very scientific but a lift of approx 5 or 6 cms seems to have helped with my ankles. As you have done, trying to keep your ankles raised when resting is useful but so is keeping active so try to get up and walk about too. Counterintuitively, drinking more water is also useful to help your body to flush out excess salt.
Thank you for your detailed response.
Hi. I had very bad ankle/ foot/ abdomen /hands and face swelling when I was on higher dose pred, my doc prescribed diuretic which helped. When I reduced pred it got better I also gave up alcohol to see if it made a difference, I still get very slight puffy feet at the end of the day but nothing to worry about. I don’t need to take the diuretic anymore.
By the way I don’t take salt in anything, I’ve not used salt for years as I was aware it can cause fluid retention .
Also try to wear loose fitting shoes, I know they don’t look nice but nor does puffy feet.
X
Thank you . I feel very sad putting my lovely shoes away. But comfort is definitely the way to go!
I know the feeling, I’ve got some beautiful shoes all sat in boxes waiting for me one day to wear them again 😟
Yep, I had puffy ankles in the beginning so I cut salt out completely and it really helped.
I get puffy lower legs, ankles and feet. It alleviates slightly overnight but not much. When I was on a high dose of steroids the problem went away then came back as I reduced, so it is steroid responsive. Had it on and off for many years. Drs have no idea what it is but I have been checked out for heart failure and blood clots, both essential to be ruled out. Water tablets don't do anything. RS3PE has been suggested as there is pitting oedema. Drs can only offer support stockings but they don't seem to do much, though my chiropodist (a former nurse) says I need to try them long-term not just a few days. It can be a side effect of Pred but it also needs checking out in case.
I have had the same problem since being on pred. 4+years at mostly 15mg. I have so many pairs of shoes trying to find some that fit my swollen feet and ankles.I found an article on feet and leg swelling and they suggested to get a wedge and lay down 1-2 times a day for at least 20 minutes with feet up on wedge. While lying down move your feet and toes for a few minutes.I have been doing that for a few months and it has made a huge difference in the swelling. My feet are almost normal and my ankles are a lot less swollen. All of my shoes fit now 
I didn't make any other changes. Good Luck
Thank you that’s really helpful. 😀
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