Smart move or dumb move?

[whitefishbay]

I have finished with PMR (or it has finished with me...probably a year ago although I get the shoulder twinge but who knows what that is. I was meeting some uni gal pals for 8 days of walking around Florence a month ago. I did not want to be the elderly one that couldn't keep up. In order to be on top form of walking all over and going to 1 million museums I would put Volteroll on my feet (osteophytes on top of feet) and then take .30 or .45 mg of pred. I did this for eight days in order to keep going. I kept going (even when my feet were killing me). Is this okay to do occasionally (when I travel) or a dumb move?

Thanks.

Whitefish🎣

[SnazzyD]

I’m not sure it would save you. My logic says that if the exertion were enough to trigger PMR it probably wouldn’t politely stop when the holiday is over and the fraction of a mg withdrawn. If you are trying to stop DOMS I’d say that’s a slippery slope and not an ideal way to use Pred as it could become a licence to over do it. It isn’t clear how good Pred is for DOMS anyway; it didn’t stop me getting it on much higher doses.

The fact you’re asking the question with words like, “is it a dumb move” suggests you are not sure it is a good idea. Would it seem better if you had a stiff whiskey to blot out the pain of potential damage you’re doing? Many of us have a choice of whether we throw caution to the wind at some point. It’s down to whether you want to know you gave it all when you could and hang the risk of that ability to end sooner than you’d like. Or regret what you didn’t do later? Some of us will read about your travels and will, ‘go girl! Wish I could do that”. Sounds like you were on your limit and it’s your choice and I’m not sure it’s right and wrong.

[whitefishbay in reply to SnazzyD]

Thanks for your reply...most of the time I am steroid free but I just didn't want to slow the group down. I guess it worked (but I was happy to get home and put my feet up). Next trip is Japan in Feb.....I need to find the perfect shoes for my feet.

[piglette]

The real question is was it just you suffering with your feet? Were your uni friends also having foot ache too, as it often happens on holidays where you visit lots of attractions, at any age! I don’t think I would use steroids to help if I had actually come off them. I think I would find out soldiers for example use for their feet when on manoeuvres!

[whitefishbay in reply to piglette]

I have terrible arthritis in my feet w osteophytes on top (bone spurs). None of my gal pals has any issues w feet. We are 66.

[piglette in reply to whitefishbay]

Fair enough. As I said I don’t think I would use steroids for the arthritis but I would look for something else. Have you tried pads and some of the other things like that available for arthritis?

[whitefishbay in reply to piglette]

Well I have insoles and wear ON boots which seem to be better than trainers. I go to a podiatrist that tells me I need shoes with a firm sole.....Onwards! Thanks for your reply.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to whitefishbay]

That reminds me that I wore Meindle walking shoes at the start of PMR, only thing that held my feet firmly enough for it not to be agony at every step.

[whitefishbay in reply to PMRpro]

I will have to try them. I will try anything!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Certainly I think having the right footwear is an important move - whatever your feet look like!! Did the voltarol help? If it allowed you to do something that you couldn't have otherwise - I'd say it is acceptable as long as you don;t do it every day indefinitely/

I've just had what could only be described as a strenuous week - with nothing like the effect of walking Italian streets and museums/art galleries. I took a crutch with me because that has a very beneficial effect on others and definitely helps with steps and stairs. Two would be better but double the inconvenience ... And I was very reticent about walking. If I were going to Florence it would have to be on an accessibility basis - taking the lift makes a lot of things easier. But I started my trip by upping my pred dose to cope with travelling - and it has had the added benefit of improving the low back pain that has been plaguing me all summer. I am being refused the steroid injections that would almost certainly sort it out, nor are NSAIDs an option long term. Oral pred was accepted for improving cardiac management - where's the difference? Big discussion with Christian come January.

[whitefishbay in reply to PMRpro]

I wear ON boots which seem to keep pressure off my osteophytes. I have to say I try to get out of walking anywhere but you have to keep moving. I am the oldest of all my friends so I try to keep the old lady vibes down. It's one thing having hearing aids (due to vestibular schwanoma) but I really wish my feet did not hurt. My gp said they would not give me steroid injections in my feet but a private podiatrist said I was a good candidate (£300 per injection - ouch). Sorry to hear about your back....we just trudge on. Thanks for your ongoing advice and support.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to whitefishbay]

The last 2 years has been achilles and peroneal tendons, trochanteric bursitis and this low back thing. As one improved, the next appeared. Feet and legs hurting is the worst - every step you take is awful isn't it.

[artfingers in reply to PMRpro]

"as one improved, then the next appeared." That is me to a "t". Soldiering on with a slow, slow taper but as the pred is reduced, all the other pains from old injuries, mild osteoarthritis, etc. rear up and bite me. I'm pushing on.

[whitefishbay]

Yes. Whenever I say yes to something I think about my feet. Wish there was a magic cure....for feet and back pain. xxx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to whitefishbay]

I have a folding mobility scooter in the cellar - OH bought it and never used it as first he fell and then Covid turned up. It is still in its original packing. Come the early spring I will dig it out and start using it.