Superficial thrombophlebitis

[Estcarpwitch]

I've been diagnosed with PMR since April 2024 though I had symptoms since the beginning of February. I was diagnosed by a Rheumatologist who gave me the usual steroid regime to follow. I have managed to taper to 7.5 mgs and am slowly moving towards 7.0mgs, following the suggestions how to do it from here. On Monday i had a pain in my left leg which I though was from a knock. It turned into a red streak down the inside of my thigh. By this time I was concerned enough to show it to my sister and she told me to show it to my GP. By some miracle I got a GP appointment for the next day and he sent me to A/E. There they did an ultrasound and said there may be some clots or vein inflammation so sent me home with both antibiotics and blood thinners. They thought it may be linked to the prednisolone I was taking. I was phoned back to go for a scan on Sunday and then show a consultant in the emergency day care unit who said I had had an infection of the vein which had caused inflammation which had led to clots from knee to the top of the leg . I now have to take the blood thinners for 40 days after which I should be ok. The care shown by the hospital has been exemplary.

Sorry for the long post but this has been stressful and more than a little scary, What I was wondering is whether this has happened to any one else and if they are ok now or if anyone on the forum knows whether this is connected to the PMR we all suffer from or the steroids we have to take. Any help or advice gratefully received.

[SheffieldJane]

Not sure of the connection to our conditions but my goodness your medical team sound on top of things. Very competent and on the ball. I am very glad you heeded your sister’s advice. Follow the medical advice to the letter and always err on the side of caution. Accept any assistance on offer and have your groceries delivered, particularly in this treacherous weather. We are white over this morning. Get better soon.🌺

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The scientific answer:

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

It is more common in GCA/PMR. Pred is often used to manage it so I'd hesitate to say the pred caused it - though pred is sometimes blamed for causing clots. But phlebitis isn't uncommon at our age anyway.

[Estcarpwitch in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for the link it is very helpful. Its been a long time since I've had to read a statistical study but I think I have gained a basic understanding of it. 😊. It does seem to me that this is most likely linked to the PMR rather than the pred. Fingers crossed the blood thinners sort it out and it doesn't happen again. 🤞

[Excelsior80]

thank you for sharing this, very interesting! Im on similar journey, diagnosed Spring 2024 and now on 7mg . I hope everything resolves OK, scary.

[ShinglesbeDamned]

Hi, I’ve had 2 bouts of it on pred, one in each leg for good measure. I had the 6 weeks of blood thinners and have an appointment at the vascular clinic next week.

For my own peace of mind, I take a small dose of aspirin every day. Doctor wasn’t overly keen on this but it hasn’t upset my stomach and makes me feel safer so until I’m off pred, I will continue to do so.

[Estcarpwitch in reply to ShinglesbeDamned]

This is probably not the way to look at it but It is very comforting that it isn't only me this has happened to. I'm so sorry that it happened twice but am glad that you have been referred to the vascular clinic . Fingers crossed they can help. The low dose aspirin daily sounds like a sensible thing to do and must he reassuring that you are doing everything you can to keep yourself safe. Once I am off the thinners I may well follow your example as this has been an unexpected unpleasant experience and I really dont want it to happen again. Thank you for sharing.