For the last 2 weeks my knees have started giving way on the stairs/-mostly right knee.
I am 70 and have been on Prednisolone since December 2020.
Now on Actemra and Pred is down to 2 mgs from 60 mgs.
Just wondering if this is due to muscle weakness as I am not in pain and there is no warning before they give way.
I walk my dog every day for about 45 minutes without any problems.
Something to ask your GP I think really. There are many reasons for knees suddenly giving way - knee instability CAN be muscular in origin but also due to other soft tissue damage, ligaments and tendons. The most common is probably meniscus damage.
Thank you for this- I will see more GP about it.
This happens to me after I have flared for a while. I think it is due to instability in the muscles and tendons. It helps when I increase the prednisone. It also happens if I change the shoes I walk in (it starts the day after). I think this is because a slightly different set of muscles are being used, and since they are not functioning properly, they get tired, causing the knee to hurt and give in - maybe a flair is on you way...
Thank you for your reply, Krilemy.
I’ve got an appointment with GP on Thursday but maybe I should increase my Pred too. Fatigue has also increased but not sure whether to try and ride it out.
That’s always the difficult thing to decide and you can never really be sure if you were right to or not, even with hindsight. Hope your leg weakness is only temporary, it’s very disconcerting when something stops working properly without good reason. Good luck with your GP, hope they are one of the more PMR aware ones.
Thank you Stevebran,
GP is referring me to physio for assessment.
I decided to double Pred to 4 yesterday after others on here said it could be a flare, because I was getting some tenderness in scalp and my blood pressure has gone up alot which could be due to the LVV?
It’s hard to not feel under pressure to reduce when Rheumatologist wants me down to Zero by Christmas.
It’s hard to not feel under pressure to reduce when Rheumatologist wants me down to Zero by Christmas.
Have they discussed that with your LVV… not quite as simple as what Rheumy wants…. and definitely shouldn’t be putting you under pressure.
What the rheumy WANTS is nothing to do with it - the LVV holds the upper hand and it is known to persist for a very long time. And frankly - since you are currently still on 2mg, almost certainly have a degree of adrenal insufficiency after 4 years on pred and the pred is acting as a replacement therapy, the likelihood of you getting to zero safely by Christmas is minimal. Actemra MAY replace the pred - it doesn't always, about half of patients don't get off pred entirely despite Actemra - only time allows the return of adrenal function. He will need to be patient.
I sometimes have this, for no apparent reason one of my knees gives way going up the stairs. I’ve had it on and off for an About a year or so. Only happens for a few days then gone, I’ve had it happen maybe 4-5 times.haven’t seen GP as it’ clears up before I get an appointment. It could be as Krillemy says and be the unused muscles complaining.
Bet best to get it checked out though x
Thank you for your reply, 9lives.
Its reassuring that others have had the same problem!
Could also be osteoarthritis-even though no pain - further investigation required methinks
PMR now? 
Synacthen Test Results and Endocrinologist’s Advice.
I fear I might have made a mistake with yo-going dose at a very early stage of treatment and would value your opinion.
Trouble Tapering
