Aching feet, ankles and legs with swelling

[HappyDiamonds]

Two days ago my feet started to hurt and shoes felt tight, yesterday ankles joined in and today my legs ache up to and a bit above knees. This afternoon my feet and ankles appear to be swollen, presumably fluid retention. I get regular exercise so its not from sitting about, anyone else have this and is it Pred related? What can I do about it please its really making walking a problem? Just to add I have GCA and not PMR. Thanks.

[RoadTrip]

I get swollen feet and ankles if I have too much salt in my diet. I have no added salt on veg., meat etc. , have no preprepared sauces and restrict the amount of cheese I have. It seems to work as puffiness has been minimal since first days at 70mg pred for GCA.

I did also get sore, red feet feet at higher doses of pred which were tender to the touch especially in the evening but that seems to have disappeared now at 10/9 mg pred.

[HappyDiamonds in reply to RoadTrip]

Thanks RoadTrip, I hadn't thought of cheese as a possible culprit. I don't use salt but cheese is my favourite food and I do over indulge, in fact it would be my choice of a last meal with French Bread and lots of butter but sadly as I'm low carbing the bread is out.

[RoadTrip in reply to HappyDiamonds]

Know how you feel. Breads my favourite, darn’t even have a mouthful on low cab diet, just know that would be the slippery slope.

[HappyDiamonds in reply to RoadTrip]

I buy a 500g loaf from Waitrose or Ocado its Livlife super seeded half carb bread £1.55 has 80 calories a slice (its small) and 3.4 grams carb. Have one slice for breakfast usually with poached or scramble eggs, have even had cheese on toast. Not french bread I will admit but makes breakfast more enjoyable for me. It doesn't send me off on a binge.

[RoadTrip in reply to HappyDiamonds]

Good to start off the day well, I do find the low carb diet a bit boring as I also can’t have any spicy food as causes bad indigestion. Would love a spicy stir fry or curry, hopefully one day when off pred.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Does the swelling go down overnight? Do you sit with your feet up at every opportunity? Have you checked your BP?

I think it is something to bring to your GP's notice on Monday.

[HappyDiamonds in reply to PMRpro]

Its much improved today strangely, no swelling now. Checked my blood pressure last night and this morning and its 135/80 ish so no problem there. I have a Specialist Nurse appointment this week so will mention it to her. Hopefully just one of those odd things, thanks for your reply.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to HappyDiamonds]

Had you been out for meals? All I need is to eat non-home cooked meals for a couple of days and my feet go up like footballs!!!

[HappyDiamonds in reply to PMRpro]

No meals out but I have had a couple of meals from Waitrose Easy Cook range this week, they were low carb but probably had more salt in them than I would use. I tend to eat very plain food mostly fish, chicken, eggs & cheese and greek yoghurt. One slip on sweet stuff and I binge big time.

[Carver63]

sounds like GCA/ Pred. have had swelling feet and legs. some relationship to the food i eat and the amount of exercise. any salt food or alcohol seems to start swelling. i try not to "over do" my standing and walking workouts. I wear pressure stockings and raise my feet above my head for 15 minutes when the swelling starts. on lower dosage Pred the swelling has been less. sore feet issue was more common when on high pred 60 mg. now between 6-10 depending on flareups

[HappyDiamonds in reply to Carver63]

Thank you for replying. I am much improved today and was able to manage a good few miles walk with my dog this afternoon. Good to know that it will hopefully occur less often as I lower the Pred, such a learning curve isn't it which is why 'talking to each other' helps.

[Carver63 in reply to HappyDiamonds]

yes there is happier days ahead but it is a roller coaster ride. this forum is excellent for sharing the little known realities of GCA and PMR. i so far only have GCA and with improved healthy habit hope to kick this and lead back to a more normal life. your walking is amazing. my price for 2 miles walk is laid up for a day. Take care and be an easy Rider