Legs: blood circulation

[Marigold3]

I am now on 5mg prednisolone and the PMR discomfort and particularly stiffness are much improved. Over the last few months my right leg appears blotchy as if poor circulation. It looks like an old woman's leg,( I suppose that's me!), Yesterday around my left knee were lots of red blotches and a very dark area. Is poor circulation a symptom of PMR or prednisolone? I have now made a private rheumatology appointment to hopefully answer lots of questions but it is till 5 weeks away. Limited availability in Cornwall.

Thank you to anyone with any info.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Poor circulation can follow on after vasculitis if that causes damage to the arteries that then progesses and they become narrowed/blocked.

Are you sure it isn't bruising? I would have thought your GP was the place to start though - rather than a rheumy. Do you get any calf pain when walking?

[Marigold3 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your reply. I have no pain in the calf muscle, although I did have left knee pain a few weeks ago, I though I might have a Bakers cyst. The GP with whom I have never had a face to face meeting, said as I was already on anti-inflammatory Prednisolone there was nothing else she could do. I treated it myself RICE and it went away. Perhaps it is bruising coming out.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Marigold3]

Another numpty who thinks pred cures everything!

[Grammy80]

I've been on methylprednisolone and prednisone for almost two years now and I have those blotches on my legs, arms, and hands. In reading others' posts and answers, I find this to be quite common, although unattractive (and I definitely qualify as 'old lady'. Sometimes just scrubbing a bit hard in the shower creates quite a design on my upper arms!! I won't go medical....but I'm sure your doctor will put your mind at ease. 💖