Why are my legs suddenly so painful?

[Tabletennis123]

Hello everyone This is my 1st post so I hope I'm doing it correctly.

A rheumatologist diagnosed PMR two years ago. I presented with bilateral shoulder agony. The Prednisolene did its job and I have slowly reduced from 22mgs to 4.

My side effects now are one-sided neck stiffness and, more recently, weakness in both legs. Like little electric shocks which really really cause me to flinch. Fine when seated. I am 67 and retired and still relatively active (golf/gardening/cycling) but the leg pain is concerning me.

I am now on my 7th week of 4mgs, soon to reduce to 3. I'm aware that below 5 is when it can get tricky.

1. Should I taper to 3 or 3.5 because of these leg spasms? Or should I increase?

2. Are these leg spasms normal at this stage of tapering?

Many thanks to anyone who can advise.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Definitely no reducing for the time being…. As for increasing 7 need to find out if it your PMR playing up -because you are too low - or something else…and have to say one side neck pain does need investigating…unless you can recall doing anything that may have caused it? Maybe try painkillers or heat treatment for that initially to see if you get any relief…

Many do get issues with legs from PMR - plus as you suggest it may be adrenals stuttering - that can cause muscular aches- but not usually spasms…. Do you think it might be emanating from your hips? Arthritis, bursitis?

Maybe low on magnesium? But think you do need medical input….

[Tabletennis123 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you Dorset Lady. A physio is going to look at my neck in a few weeks time. I should have said that. I guess I find out if the PMR is playing up by asking for blood tests??

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Tabletennis123]

Maybe …. Usually we would say symptoms are the key -but not sure it is PMR -so blood may give the answer. Worth a try…

[Tabletennis123 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you so much DL. Is there anybody else out there who has had these weird electric shocks in their legs?? I'm not sure if this is going just to Dordet Lady or everyone. Sorry, new to all this Forum chat!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Tabletennis123]

if you reply to me, I will get a notification-but anyone will be able to read to whole post. So hopefully others will reply.

[yogabonnie]

Sounds a bit like a pinched nerve in the neck which could account for the electric shock feeling in legs. Glad you are seeing someone about the neck I would certainly tell them all of it!! Will be interested in what you find out. Don't reduce now! and keep us posted. Best of luck to you!

[Tabletennis123 in reply to yogabonnie]

Thank you YB. I will.most definitely tell physio everything. Haven't had a fall or accident to account for neck pain

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The first thing I would try is magnesium supplements - that can cause strange effects when it is low. I have always had what feels a bit like electric shocks with my PMR.

Does anything here sound familiar

healthline.com/health/dyses...

Not suggesting for a moment it could be MS - it is mentioned because it is common in MS

[Tabletennis123 in reply to PMRpro]

Gosh that article is a bit scary PMRPro but I'll keep it to hand. Meanwhile I'll definitely investigate magnesium supplements. Thank you.

[Pixix]

Yes, I get the electric shocks, but it’s not connected to PMR, I don’t think. I had it before PMR, & I seem to get it in ‘patches’, comes one month, goes away a few weeks, comes back etc! I take magnesium supplement daily. I have had four car crashes that involved whiplash injuries & neck issues. So it could be nerve in neck?? Did you search on this site? I think I responded to a similar question a few weeks ago, but can’t remember details, sorry!

[Tabletennis123 in reply to Pixix]

Thank you Pixix. Four car crashes is pretty awful! I definitely didnt have these leg spasms/pains before PMR. Thank you for replying

[Pixix in reply to Tabletennis123]

it’s life…I was lucky! 3 of them I was stationary & somebody drove into the back! First one thr driver looked up, saw a queue & put foot on accelerator, instead of the brake!! Broke the chassis of one year old car!! The 4th was a turnover of a campervan having ‘side hit’ a 30 ft high bank (wrote off the campervan)! One other was in the USA on holiday on our 20th wedding anniversary. Never boring…life, that is! S x

[RachelJDH]

Hi TT I too get weird jerky spasms in mostly thigh muscles. I think I had them a bit before I was diagnosed when I first got out of bed. They have got worse and I now get cramps but all this much improved since taking a low magnesium dose as recommended by DL and PMRpro and I have found it makes a huge difference. I also need to drink more nowadays (sadly water) which does help too. I do blame most bad things on prednisolone but I think this is unfair. 😄

[Tabletennis123 in reply to RachelJDH]

Thank you Rachel and everyone. A wealth of knowledge in this Forum. I will definitely try a low dose of magnesium and drink more. And I won't continue with my tapering just yet.

[S4ndy]

I get "electric shocks" in my legs and numbness and pins and needles. Mine is not PMR related it's due to impinged nerves in my spine.I noticed you play golf. Do you notice the mini shocks more when you play or afterwards. I only ask this as my late husband found that playing golf aggrevated his sciatica. He used to find it difficult to complete 18 holes because of it. He ended up playing pitch and putt instead of full rounds as he found it better using only a 7 and a putter. Just a thought. If this is the case with you I suggest mentioning it to the physio.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to S4ndy]

That sounds as if there is low back muscular problems aggravating it. The sciatic nerve passes through the middle of the piriformis muscles and anything irritating that makes the piriformis tighten , worsen the sciatica.

[Tabletennis123 in reply to PMRpro]

Thx PMR Pro. I don't seem to have any lower back pain, but perhaps it's disguised elsewhere? I'm hopeful the physio will sort me out next Thursday. I had piriformis problems a few years ago, but it seemed to sort itself out. Thank you so much for your advice.

[Tabletennis123 in reply to S4ndy]

Hi S4ndy. The weird thing is that it's not too bad when I play golf. Whether that's because my mind is on the game or not, I know not. Am seeing the physio next Thursday so am well prepped. Thx for your reply