Down to 2 mg PRED but now have numb tingling toes

[Versaman]

I am down to 2 mg of PRED after 20 months treatment for PMR. I have had slight numbness in my toes for a few weeks, particularly noticable in bed at night. Always wear comfortable trainers in the day. Is this long term PMR or Steroid use? This site has been very helpful to me while very little nhs support. Regards Versaman. ( I have a Comet Versa Dinghy)

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Impossible to say really - but it isn't uncommon. Have you been monitored for diabetes? Both it and pred are known to cause neuropathy. But trapped nerves further up the leg could do it too. Is it both feet?

[Versaman in reply to PMRpro]

Yes both feet. Wearing shoes masks the feeling. Maybe I need to have a diabetes check.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Versaman]

Good idea… feet can be badly affected with diabetes-always best to get it checked out,

[yorkieme]

The diabetes check is good advice. I suffered with very much the same complaint as you on most areas of my feet and the first thing that I did was ask the G.P. for the test, thankfully it showed clear.I have been told that the pain is peripheral neuropathy but not with any certainty and that it could be as a result of steroids. The strange bit is that one medic even mentioned long term use of Omeprazole too.

I took 20mg Amitriptylyne for a few nights and that helped,however it left me feeling groggy so I reduced to 10mg and only when needed.

The two things that helped the most have been regular sessions of reflexology,(every two weeks,) and walking.

[Versaman in reply to yorkieme]

Mamy thanks for the tips

[KASHMIRI1 in reply to yorkieme]

Good morning. I have had tingling and numbness in my feet and legs for two years. I take Amitriptyline and have done for a long time. I just wanted to say that the groggy feeling wears off after a while but it has to be taken regularly just the odd one won't give the relief you require. It can take up to six weeks to work.

[yorkieme in reply to KASHMIRI1]

Thank you, that may be where I am going wrong. I think that like many of us I have come to hate taking yet more tablets but sometimes, as in this case, it might prove to be the wrong move. Not the first time for me I might add.

[KASHMIRI1 in reply to yorkieme]

you are welcome none of us want more pills do we

[piglette]

I have an Hba1c blood check about once a year as steroids can cause diabetes.

[Raewynne]

I have numb toes too.I think my diabetes has settled down with reducing pred and watching my diet.Im putting it down to pred induced neuropathy. I will be letting my Dr know about it AGAiN.I don't like the nerve conduction tests they do.Very painful.I also have Sore big toe joints.Like chilblains. I think it Prednisolone induced.

[Hidden in reply to Raewynne]

Sore big toe joints? Classic sign of gout. My gout all but disappeared after starting in pred for PMR. Ask your doc for uric acid levels check. The Pred may be interfering with the bodies ability to metabolise uric acid n the acid is crystallising in your joints. This happened to me when I was in huge doses of opiate based painkillers after Total Knee Replacement. The liver can only handle so much at a time.

[Raewynne]

Ok Thanks.

[Bobbury]

Unfortunately ive been in same situation. I have confirmed neuropathy in both feet and upper legs. It has been muted it is down to Pred!!

[Tahiri]

I’ve got identical problems with the numbness in my feet- toes especially. I’m now on 2.5 mg Prednisolone for GCA. I found magnesium helped to alleviate it . It can be bought either as a spray or as a powder. I spray both legs too . The liver doesn’t have to deal with the magnesium taken as a spray. I hope this helps as it’s such an unpleasant sensation.