leg pain

[Caradomben]

I have been having terrible tight cramping pains in my legs when I walk. My GP thinks it is fluid retention and has given me a diuretic which does not help. I am wondering if it is PMR . I have been off prednisolone for 18 months now …does anyone had this type of pain in their legs with their PMR

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Many -

Try magnesium supplements or spray -or good old fashioned Epsom salts bath before bed….

Try searching for posts -enter leg cramps in search box

Also see this post from FAQs on magnesium -healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Is it a tight cramp in your calves after you have walked a short distance that then goes when you stop and rest but starts again when you walk again? Is it both legs or just one?

[Caradomben in reply to PMRpro]

Yes it starts when I walk then settles when I rest. Never died when lying down but as soon as I put my foot on floor to walk it starts

[Caradomben in reply to Caradomben]

both legs

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Caradomben]

Ask your GP why they don't recognise claudication pain. They should check your pedal (in the foot) or ankle pulses and the AB ratio (BP in ankle and brachial artery).

You need to be referred to a vascular surgeon for assessment in the vascular unit to identify where the restriction is on blood flow to the legs. It is a not unusual long term complication for patients with a history of vasculitis like PMR, especially if they didn't identify your PMR may have been due to LVV (large vessel vasculitis) in the arteries in the abdomen. Since it is both legs the blockage could be as far up as the lower abdomen, just above where the aorta splits to form the femoral arteries.

Are you feet cold? Do you get thigh pain too?

[Viv54 in reply to PMRpro]

Thats exactly what i have now ! Had to go privately , fantastic consultant ! He picked Claudication pain within 5 minutes ! I have all the symptoms . ITs awful pain ! Just finished 8 week course of B 12 injection , Now on to see the channel blocker is for me ! Plus i asked if it was a side affect of long term Pred. He said he could not rule it out. So i will have to hobble a while longer !

[Blossom20 in reply to Viv54]

I've recently been diagnosed with PAD which causes the claudication. I'm interested in why they prescribed B12. And what do you mean by 'the channel blocker'?

They want me to go on Aspirin and Statins which I'm not keen on because of the side effects.

I posted an article a couple of months ago which said that Pred can cause cardiovascular disease. I think that the inflammation from PMR must also cause damage to the arteries..

[Viv54 in reply to Blossom20]

Hi, the Vitamin 12 was to put oxygen into my blood stream, it may have helped a tiny bit , a channel blocker is form of BP tablet.I take a aspirin ,and it was discussed about a statin.I refused them at the time , but to be honest I'm in so much pain , I will try anything! Hope this answered your question.🌹

[Viv54 in reply to PMRpro]

PS , forgot to add ,my feet are like blocks of ice !

[Caradomben]

hi thank you for your reply .. yeah I’ve been thinking it is a vascular problem. I’m going back to see GP again. Feel as though I’m not getting to the bottom of this. I have pain in both thighs and they are burning hot which is probably inflammation at times . Don’t have cold feet though x

[Viv54 in reply to Caradomben]

Dear Caradom, Please read PMRpros reply i sent her , it is exactly what im going through ATM, Dreadful pain i feel for you ! Viv54 🌷

[Knitwits]

hi Caradomben

I have pain in my calf’s when I walk on the smallest incline, I am ok on the flat. It feels like my muscles have totally ceased up and is so painful it calms down when I stop but starts up again if I carry on. I have had no answers as to why it happens. I have had pmr for 3 years now and am on 9/8 mg pred and methotrexate injection.

[csummerday in reply to Knitwits]

I have started getting that but do not have PMR. I am on this page because am undiagnosed. It could be PAD - artery thing! It is so annoying because i have to keep stopping.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to csummerday]

It could indeed be PAD and you need referral to the local vascular team for assessment

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Knitwits]

It is what is called claudication pain and is due to reduced blood supply to the muscles - they may be fine with some excess demand when sitting rather than walking but walking uphill or faster is too much for the oxygen supply to the muscles. If your GP doesn't recognise it - they need to start looking it up and doing some CPD!!!! (continuing professional development)

[csummerday in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks so much for this. I am pretty fit and and have never had this. I will go back to GP. Now you mention it, uphill is really painful and hard.

[Knitwits in reply to PMRpro]

thank you for that I am due to see my GO on Saturday

[Blossom20 in reply to Knitwits]

See my reply above, and also Pmr's reply above

[Caradomben]

thank you everyone for replies. I am going to suggest this to my GP. Hope to get to bottom of it soon. It’s making me depressed now