Lasix is a new friend

[Wallysma]

Hi. This is for those who have had issues with swollen ankles and calves....

My ankles have been huge since I first started feeling bad. Not much relieved the problem. In the morning they might be a smidge smaller but it was not a lot and did not last long. Enter PMR diagnosis and lots of prednisone mostly.doses in high teens and 20's. Currently on 29.5. Best dose for me but I am having lots of pred side effects. Waiting to start.Actemra because of moderate RA which is active again. Had some skin stuff to deal with but that's mending so back to waiting on the infusion folks.

Anyway as time has gone on my feet got.strangely.swollen and legs' skin thinned out....got ugly and blisters developed so now they both are wreping. What fresh hell is this?

Anyway.my GP wanted to help me but PMR is hard to help. At my last appointment we talked about the increased fluid so he gave me Lasix, told me to try for a week, eat an orange for potassium. I did and it helped up to a point but my ankles reduced some. I also felt lighter overall....that was a good thing. Then I went back for check-in and he said to double the dose (20 mg per dose). 1 in am and then 2nd 6 hours later. I have almost normal feet and ankles. Woo-hoo. I am happy it worked. He told me I could continue as long as I watched my potassium and kidney labs.

So I wanted to share in case folks could benefit...they could ask their docs about it.

Be well

Mickie

[piglette]

That is interesting, I was told that you should not take a diuretic with steroids. drugs.com/drug-interactions...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

It is OK as long as they keep a close eye on blood electrolyte levels as Wallysma has been told to do.