Problems with leg

[Purplegloss]

Hi everyone,

Just wondered if anyone else has the problem with their legs that I have at the moment. I am currently going down from 3.5mg to 3.0 started this morning! However for a few months now I have had trouble with my right leg, which I am having to lift into the car as it only lifts up a little way. I know it isn't good to cross your legs, but my left leg will cross quite happily over my right, but not my right over my left. There is no pain, and I can walk ok. What is also strange is that I can lift my leg into the bath, which I guess is a different movement. Any suggestions as to why this is happening? Thanks.

[HappyDiamonds]

Can't offer any useful help but I have the same problem. I cannot lift my left leg in to my car or sit in the chair and lift my leg to put my socks on, I have to get my leg up by lifting my trouser hem. Physio at the Hospital asked me to show her my good leg and I showed her the right one, when she pressed down on it I had no resistance what so ever. Her verdict was what I though was my good leg is actually my bad leg and because Im walking awkward on it the left leg is taking the full strain. She gave me exercises to do and I have a slight improvement after 2 months. Will be watching any replies with interest and I hope we both get some information and preferably a magic solution as its a strange thing to happen.

[Purplegloss in reply to HappyDiamonds]

That's very interesting. I thought maybe the Pred reduction was the cause of me not being able to get in my car without lifting my leg in, same with the socks as you by the way. However it made me think that the problem I have in my lower back on the left side- it feels like a needle sticking in my back at its worst, and is very painful, could be connected. I am seeing my Chiropractor on Monday about both problems.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Purplegloss]

Could be hip - has it been checked for osteoarthritis?

[Purplegloss in reply to DorsetLady]

I had a dexascan in 2021 and my hips were ostopenic then. Been having lots of whole milk, yoghurt, vitamin K2 and vitamin D since then. Took AA first two years of my four years so far.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Purplegloss]

Osteoarthritis -not osteoporosis…

[Purplegloss in reply to DorsetLady]

Oh, hope not.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Purplegloss]

So do I, but might be worth getting it checked.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Purplegloss]

Where is the sharp pain? It could be muscular and causing irritation of the sciatic nerve making the leg weaker.

[Purplegloss in reply to PMRpro]

It is in the small of my back, but doesn't go down my leg. Sometimes it is a lot worse than at other times, and almost makes me fall over. The weakness of having to lift my leg by hand is in my other leg though.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Purplegloss]

It does need checking out though - the low back is very complex and can cause a lot of pain and problems.

[Purplegloss in reply to PMRpro]

I had an appointment with my chiropractor today, and have been diagnosed with Sacroiliac joint sprain, in the small of my back left side. I have to use ice three times a day on the affected area plus I have exercises to do three times a day-going back again next Monday to see if things have improved. Not sure how it can have happened, as I have not had a fall or anything, but maybe lifting shopping in and out of the boot of my car. Bit of a mystery really, although maybe nearly five years on Pred has not helped the situation. Not sure what is wrong with my right leg yet, but it could be affected by the problems with my back on the left, as it reacted as it should have done with the tests he did, so not sure why it is happening at the moment.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Purplegloss]

“maybe lifting shopping in and out of the boot of my car.”..,

Very likely especially if you twisted, even slightly at the same time.

Shopping bags have a lot to answer for! ..and the design of most saloon car boots mean you have to lift the bags up and over -unless it’s an estate or 4x4.

I have sacroiliac issues so almost never put bags in boot of car…heavy shopping gets delivered as well.

[HeronNS in reply to Purplegloss]

As pred can cause weakening of muscles this could very likely be at least part of the cause. Do your exercises involve strengthening muscles which support the spine? I don't know much about chiropractic but physiotherapy has certainly kept me upright and functioning for many years so I hope you have a similar result.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Purplegloss]

Doesn't surprise me - and those shopping bags alone will do it in conjunction with PMR and pred. I'm a martyr to the same ... I have had myofascial pain syndrome for most of my life (I have a scoliosis which doesn't help) and a PMR flare always starts with a bad episode of the MPS.

I split shopping into smaller cotton bags and use a sack trolley to transfer a bigger bag which has the small bags in it. I also have an estate - no sill to lift over or the bag is put on the rear seat which is also easier to remove it from.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Purplegloss]

It could be multi-factorial - I was watching a programme last night where an elderly gentleman couldn't lift his leg as you describe - it turned out to be OA in the hip and he got a hip replacement.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

My thoughts too!,

[Koalajane]

I had this problem before my diagnosis. Also I still find that sometimes I stumble due to not lifting my leg enough

[HeronNS]

Possibly similar reason, although not quite same difficulty. When I was at about 4 mg I remember some weeks or maybe all summer feeling like I was walking through water. For many years I've done exercises and at that time was definitely walking 10,000 or more steps a day (hardly ever do that these days) so it wasn't lack of fitness, I assumed it was the pred level. It resolved after time without further action on my part, but as I said, I did remain as physically active as I could.