Pains walking

[Abbey17]

I was bumped up to 15mg 4 weeks ago due to major flare, but it’s not kicked in fully yet. Still having really wiped out days and pains at the top of both legs walking and pins and needles in hands and arms on waking I’m due to go down to 12.5mg but my own GP away at the moment. Not sure if it’s okay to stay on 15 for another week but it’s painful to walk. I think it’s too soon to taper but is it normal to stay on increased dose for so long?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Normally one would hope that 4 weeks at the higher dose sorted the flare, but if it hasn't, then maybe you need a higher dose that 15mg.

If you cannot speak to GP at the moment, then stay where you are until you can, then explain the situation and maybe "suggest" you need a higher dose. certainly don't reduce if you are problems, if you do, they are likely to get worse.

Maybe you need further investigation on legs as well...

[Abbey17 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you I will do that

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I agree with DL - flares as bad as this appears to be sometimes need more than 15mg.

Are you trying to do too much since you say you have pain when walking? Where is that pain exactly? Have you also got low back pain?

In which fingers do you have the pins and needles? Could it be carpal tunnel syndrome?

[Abbey17 in reply to PMRpro]

It’s the very top of the bone on either side of legs - just as when I was first diagnosed. Pins and needles in hands but go after about 15 minutes after getting up. Again like my earlier symptoms. I don’t have any back pain though

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Abbey17]

That sounds very like trochanteric bursitis, also now called greater trochanteric syndrome, and it may well respond better to more targeted management rather than just increasing the pred.

Mine responds brilliantly to a steroid injection - and physio also helps me a lot.

[Abbey17 in reply to PMRpro]

Brilliant thanks very much

[piglette]

Whatever you do don’t reduce until you have sorted out the pain.

[Abbey17 in reply to piglette]

No I definitely won’t. Thank you x