Has anyone had any muscle pains after having a bath?

[MiloCollie]

Yesterday, I thought I'd have a nice soak as I usually shower. I have been on 12.5mg pred for about 2 weeks but struggling with some pain if honest but I was about 5 weeks on 15mg so want to persevere on 12.5mg if I can. I went for a walk after my bath and my thighs felt warm and numb and I went REALLY tired. I got home, ate and then felt like death. I went for a nap and noticed my legs still felt strange and I had pins and needles in my feet. I started to panic a bit and lifted all my limbs to check I wasn't having a stroke and I just felt flu like. I got up and popped a 5mg pred (on top of my morning 12.5mg 5 hours earlier) and then I returned to bed where I did nod off. By 10pm I was in a restaurant drinking beer feeling good.

Was it the bath or have I been struggling with my reduced12.5mg more than I was letting on?

I have just received more pred tablets based on taking 12.5mg for the next 4 weeks - my decision and plan as no-one has phoned me I'm just getting on with it. However after this episode I'm wondering if I need to go back up to 15mg??!!

Any advice appreciated from you experts! xx

[SheffieldJane]

I agree with you. It sounds like you are under-dosed and perhaps 2.5 was too big a drop from too low a dose, then you could have over-done it. Don’t taper when you are symptomatic. I wonder if 14 mgs and being restful would work?

[MiloCollie in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks. I’m rubbish with the rest thing

[SheffieldJane in reply to MiloCollie]

I have become an expert at it. 😕

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

Me too!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to MiloCollie]

Need to practise!!!

[MrsNails]

Hi Milo

The first thing that springs to mind, is did you definitely take your full dose yesterday? It does sound a bit like that to me (having done that!)

The other option is maybe your Bath was too warm/hot, you may have faired better to have rested rather than go out walking, so these are options to consider.

I hope you feel better today but take it a bit easier.

Kind Regards

MrsN

You may find this link helpful ~

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[MiloCollie in reply to MrsNails]

Thanks. Yes I def took my tablets. I do need to rest more though 😜

[Kendrew]

There is a thing where soaking in the hot water can cause vasodilation (dilation of the blood vessels) which in turn can cause transient swelling of the legs or pain. It may be you've experienced this. If your water was maybe too hot then it's also feasible that once you were out of the bath you felt a bit light headed, nauseous or lethargic. Add into the mix a walk straight afterwards and too low a dose of steroid and it probably explains your symptoms.

[MiloCollie in reply to Kendrew]

Thanks. It wasn’t hot but prob enough to vasodilate. Yes.

[SnazzyD]

Baths are not to be underestimated; they can be sapping, cause low blood pressure and stir up various odd happenings. They can be great relievers too. I do wonder if you are going at a this a bit too hard. Your comment about being on 15mg for 5 weeks as if it really should be enough being a reason to stick to 12.5mg is one. Saying this in the face of having pain is another. Then popping 5mg, getting the extra false boost, then going out after your body had already thrown up some warnings, hmm. Pred can really make one feel one has got more beans in the can than one really has. Often the lesson to learn is to treat your body a bit more like an ill person even when you’re feeling better than before. It might be that 12.5mg is not enough because you are trying to live life normally and/or it was too big a drop. Sorry to be a nag.

[MiloCollie in reply to SnazzyD]

I think you got me there SnazzyD. I went out because I’d made plans with hubby and sick of letting him down. I’m not a good patient after years of being a nurse!! I’ll try harder. Cheers.

[SnazzyD in reply to MiloCollie]

I know that one! Two days before diagnosis with GCA I was a part time practice nurse and manager of a cancer support centre. Poof! No more career.

[MiloCollie in reply to SnazzyD]

Oh no. What a waste but needs must I suppose. As long as you’re better. I too left work. I was having HR issues and felt crap so thought why am I bothering. I’ve applied for early retirement on ill health to get my deferred Nhs pension. For PMR but also anxiety. I don’t miss work. I didn’t realise how poorly I was. Do you?

[SnazzyD in reply to MiloCollie]

I do but have had 4 years to get used to it. When my registration expired was upsetting but in a way it put the work thing to bed. I didn’t think of retiring early, I guess because I thought I might go back one day.

[MiloCollie in reply to SnazzyD]

I’m hoping I don’t have to. I just can’t seem to fit anywhere and I don’t know how I did a 12 hour shift with my Frankenstein walk and painful sleepless nights! You just keep going!! Overweight menopausal and getting old is what I kept saying about myself. I’m now glad I had an HR issue which made me walk away or I may still be there!!!

[bussell]

A couple of months ago I felt brave enough to have a bath after sev months of showering so I made sure the front door was unlocked and perched the mobile phone beside the taps just in case I had to summon help to get out. All good, heaven to have a nice long soak, no problem getting out. But I hadn't reckoned on feeling absolutely exhausted afterwards. Lay around all day feeling totally crushed.I can't offer any solution or explanation, but there is a happy ending though - Currently I am on 10mg daily, got more energy though still limited, and bathing poses no problems at all.

Still have the mobile within reach though!

I hope that you, like me, will find the situation resolves over time. Maybe plan to take it easy after your bath for a few hours? Good luck.

[LBM1953]

Hi MiloCollie. I have to say that I have a bath every day now late afternoon as I find it very comforting. Don't necessarily think it is doing me any good and in this hot weather I tend to lie on the bed afterwards to cool down a bit, but I wouldn't be without it at the moment.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Personally, I'd blame the bath - long baths can induce that sort of effect even when healthy.- as Kendrew and Snazzy describe.

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

I get just as tired when I shower!☹️

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

Which is why I don't stay in a hot shower for long!!!

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

In and out in 10 minutes now.😂👵🏻

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

Reduce the temp a bit too maybe?

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

Very warm feet to knees (for arthritis) much cooler for the rest.

[jinasc in reply to PMRpro]

and I have a seat courtesy of my plumber who would not let me have anything that was attached to the shower and it has arms. Showers save water - help the planet recover.

So showers 👍 Baths 👎

[MiloCollie in reply to jinasc]

Up the showers!!!! Yey

[MiloCollie in reply to PMRpro]

Cheers PMR pro. My next bath will be cooler and before bed!!!