Hi, fellow PMR voyagers - I was on 6.5mg Pred for some time but recently tapered to 5.5mg. I am now experiencing painful arthritis-like symptoms in my toes and hands.
Like many of us, it's difficult to determine whether these pains are from PMR, Prednisolone (devil's tic tacs), tapering, arthritis or just age (71).
Should I increase the Pred?
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated ...
Hi Bitey, have you been diagnosed with arthritis? Were hand and toe pains part of your original PMR symptoms? How long have you been on your reduced dose? Might be worth checking in with your doctor about it before increasing pred. The pain from osteoarthritis in my knees returned when I got down to around 10mg pred, luckily for me, it's still mild so I don't need medication for it at present.
Hi, thanks for your reply - yes I was dx'd with arthritis previously but it never felt this bad! I tapered slowly from 6.5 to 6 0 and then slowly to 5.5. I'm also getting terrible cramps in my feet. I REALLY don't want to increase the Pred!
Why did you reduce a whole mg rather than just a half?
It could be OA - but it could be PMR reminding you it is still around - I had hand and foot pain and pred often does make OA feel better.
Hi, thanks for your reply - to be clear, I tapered slowly from 6.5 to 6 0 and then slowly to 5.5. I def had some arthritis before but nothing like this. I'm also getting terrible cramps in my feet.
Try some magnesium supplements - see if that helps with the cramps. I also had toe cramps with PMR alone and pred can make it worse.
Re the reduction steps - that's good then, just wondered.
It has certainly helped mine.💥
Might be worth trying ordinary painkillers for a few days to see if they help….could be arthritis, and as said by Purpleazalia those pains do return on lower doses……plus as also stated did your PMR manifest itself in those areas pre medication ?
Thanks for your reply, I've only taken painkillers sporadically and no, the PMR wasn't in my feet etc
In that case maybe you should be checked for arthritis... and perhaps try magnesium supplements or Epsom salts bath for feet and hands.
Epsom salts sound good - I'll try them!
Hi, I was going to ask the same question as Pro - did you go from 6.5mg ->5.5mg as that is a big drop percentage wise.
Have you tried a simple pain killer such as Paracetamol, as that may ease any OA if present.
And, maybe go back to 6mg & see if it improves, l found whenever l got lower on Pred my old ‘War Wounds’ reappear, old familiar twinges 😖
It’s not easy, is it.
Kind Regards
MrsN
Hi, thanks for your reply - to be clear, I tapered slowly from 6.5 to 6 0 and then slowly to 5.5. I def had some arthritis before but nothing like this. Cocodamol helps a bit. I'm also getting terrible cramps in my feet. Yes, it's not easy (and it's not fun!)
You probably need an X-ray and / or ultrasound to confirm one way or another. I have OA in both knees, the left being worse. I’ve recently had steroidal injection into the soft tissue of the knee joint. Definitely helps, and the steroid load is metabolised within a week leaving the local effects for approx 3 months. At the moment with Covid guidance states only one knee can be done in one sitting. The other after one month.
To summarise I’d start with a GP consultation and X-ray confirmation.
Thanks for that - incidentally, my right knee occasionally 'gives way' (no pain though)
My right knee used to that before my OA diagnosis. You may find a support bandage helps with stopping the giving way. I had a few occasions when I was out shopping, it would give way and I just fell over wherever I was - really embarrassing!!!! I would have only been in my early 30's at the time as well.
That hasn't happened to me (yet)!
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