walking

[TedTheMaineCoon]

With PMR does anyone else’s find that their walking becomes slower over time ?

[papadapadoo]

When I walk it feels as thought there is a rope or elastic cord between my thighs, resticting movement. After about 5 minutes, it eases, but I never get to the point where I can walk the way I used to. I used to do some hill climbing, too, but my balance on rocks is now undependable. Part of the gift from PMR, I believe.

[TedTheMaineCoon in reply to papadapadoo]

oh balance !!! Tell me about it . Crumbs always losing balance !

[MrsPractical in reply to papadapadoo]

my biggest problem now is walking. After seeing 2 physios, they both agree that I have patellofemoral syndrome which caused by weak core muscles and this had changed my gait and way I walk. I was also walking slightly bent. I’m finding the exercises they gave me to do are very slowly improving things. I was finding walking so difficult that I tried applying for a blue badge but was turned down because of the possibility of improvement in my condition. I hope you too are able to manage some improvement. Remember PMR weakens muscles.

[TedTheMaineCoon in reply to MrsPractical]

Thank you for your reply . Yes my muscles have certainly weakened . I got turned down for blue badge too ! Gait has changed and I’m so slow 🐢 !!

[Heron82 in reply to papadapadoo]

yes most days, I liken it to trying to walk through treacle and my balance is poor too. Pilates helps. But best not to give up and take some daily walks outdoors. If nothing else the endorphin hit one gains from being in the fresh air does wonders for one’s mood. PMR is such a frustrating condition to have. Good luck and I hope things improve for you soon.

[TedTheMaineCoon in reply to Heron82]

Thank you so much for the reply . It is frustrating! But I’ll endeavour to take a little walk each day 😊

[jls93 in reply to papadapadoo]

Yup..I refer my walking pace as a "slogg "

[Bridge31 in reply to jls93]

Mine is a saunter with added difficulties 🤣

[Gimme in reply to papadapadoo]

I have the elastic band on the legs thing too, or some times, they just feel like they are hollow and wobbly.

[WaltzG]

I have PMR and GCA. I am a (strictly social) ballroom and Latin dancer and find that in the waltz which is all lowering and rising my legs just won't do it anymore. Actually until saw this post and the comment bout rope restricting hadn't put two and two together and was berating myself for being out of practice.......oh denial denial !!!!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I'm surprised you haven't been flattened in the rush!!! Loads of us ...

[Gimme]

If I go for a walk, I describe it as going out for a plod, because that is what I do. I can neither walk far or fast now and I have getting worse over the last year, even on prednisolone. To think that not so long ago, I walked the Inca Trail into Macchu Picchu and I used to do treks in the Himalaya. I'm just a pudding now. It's the aspect of whatever it is that ails me that I find hardest to live with. Walking is core to my being. Even as a child, I walked long distances for hours in the woods. It feels like the bit of me that is really me has been stolen away from me. It makes me feel very sad.

[TedTheMaineCoon in reply to Gimme]

Yes it’s true! You do feel like a part of you has been robbed 😢 Now as you says ‘it’s just a ‘plod’ . Awful 😞

[Gimme in reply to TedTheMaineCoon]

It is awful. On the plus side, at least I lost the Donald Duck waddle from PMR when I went on pred and I no longer stomp down the stairs in the morning. My movement around the house is fairly good now, but I would love to be able to enjoy a walk in the woods again. I went out for the day to go birdwatching at RSPB Minsmere in Suffolk recently and I asked them if I could borrow one of their mobility scooters for the day, not for my mobility, but the fatigue. I would never have got all the way round otherwise. Had a lovely day.

[Mayadill]

My rollator and I of course proceed at the pace of a happy sloth, nonetheless i expect movement to be smooth, a certain feline grace. if movement is impeded might be worth putting the entire leg under the microscopic and finding out exactly where the prob is - knee, ankle, hips, whole leg, feet

[Dochaz]

I have definitely slowed down. A circuit of about 8 km used to take me 10 mn less than now. I also get shoulder pain towards the end of the walk and I need to stop now and again and get my breath back when going uphill. Still, I do feel the need to walk outside when weather permits. It's the best therapy!

[Body_bonkers]

My legs were stiff and now feel like jelly - lost confidence in using them

[TedTheMaineCoon in reply to Body_bonkers]

yes my legs are jelly like most if the time, and numb ! I’m sure they are going to give way !

[Nextoneplease in reply to TedTheMaineCoon]

I feel so unstable that I’ve taken to using a stick out of doors. In itself I find it super helpful, feel steadier and gait somewhat improved BUT the pressure on my wrists and especially my shoulders has brought back the PMR pain there 😳 I’ve upped my pred from 5.5 to 6 and paused tapering. Still consider it worthwhile to get out of the house…

All the best x

[TedTheMaineCoon in reply to Nextoneplease]

me too ! I need my stick when I venture out ! For stability and support , I so easily lose balance .

[Nextoneplease in reply to TedTheMaineCoon]

I find the worst thing is if I have to stand in a queue, or stop to talk to someone- I just shake and feel like I’m going to fall 😳

I’m doing gentle exercises indoors to try to maintain leg strength but it’s hard going x

[TedTheMaineCoon in reply to Nextoneplease]

I’ve got one of those mini exercise cycles you pedal whilst sitting . They are suppose to be good . Hoping it’ll help my thigh muscles . It’s called an Opti mini bike .

[Nextoneplease in reply to TedTheMaineCoon]

Hi, I tried one of those but couldn’t stop it slipping away from me 🤷‍♀️

So I use YouTube on my tv and do ‘exercises for seniors’. Plenty of variety and some good routines. Somehow I’m better on a carpet in my living room 🤞x

[TedTheMaineCoon in reply to Nextoneplease]

Oh I’ll give that a go ! Yes that’s a bit of a problem to be honest , the mini cycles do tend to slip away !

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to TedTheMaineCoon]

It helps if you put it on a non-slip mat. But the absolute best solution is sit in a chair with legs or an office chair and use a loop or two of just plain old string to keep it in place!

[Darkchocolate1]

my walk changed greatly after PMR. I finally realized it could be more than PMR and have learned I have 6 discs compressing my spinal cord. I see a surgeon next week. Multiple things confuse the picture.

[Breester in reply to Darkchocolate1]

This happened to me, although gradually reducing Pred I found my walking was no better. I would be in a shop & say to my husband I have to go back to the car. Finally spine was scanned & LSS, discs were repaired my back straight for the first time in years, walking greatly improved. One leg feels numb from knee down likely a neural problem & not PMR. In Y4 now & down to 1mg Pred per day. Need Gabapentine 300mg per night otherwise my leg wakes me up as it stiffens up because inactive.

I sympathise fully with your confused picture.

Good luck. My surgeon gave me back my life.

[Darkchocolate1 in reply to Breester]

Thank you for giving me hope that a surgeon can help me also. I am very glad you got some help. I have to limit my walking with a walker and the back pain has continued to get worse. No quality of life. I too take gabapentin at bedtime helps me sleep.

[HeronNS]

But it doesn;t need to last forever.

I am feeling very well these days, after 8 years on pred, and seem stable at 1 mg. Can't stand walking with my husband because he is so d*** slow! He doesn't have PMR, but he is aging, expecially since he had covid last year. Me? After ups and downs and dealing with PMR and knee injury (and apparently an aging heart) can zip along like I used to. But not for as long as I could before, and I do need recovery time afterwards. I'm 76.