Walking difficulty

[Leorastar]

When folks describe walking difficulty associated with PMR does this relate to muscle weakness, muscle pain or muscle fatigue or general fatigue? The reason I ask is my diagnosis is pending and myositis is a consideration.

[Bridge31]

For me it’s muscle weakness when climbing ( either stairs, steps or any kind of incline however slight )resulting in muscle pain but I would say it’s general fatigue for me to walk further than a couple of miles on the flat.

[Clarinet1234 in reply to Bridge31]

I have only had this condition for a couple of months. Although my PMR leg pains have gone my legs feel a bit wobbly when I walk. I used to have really strong legs. Now if I walk a bit further or up hill they feel like I have over exercised with muscles aching as in strained a bit. It does settle down again. Also I find that it is easy to pull a muscle in my thighs.Sorry but I am new to all of this. But learning a lot from you all.

[krillemy in reply to Clarinet1234]

Yes, thats it. Also if I walk slowly at some point (1 mile) my thighs feels like I am walking in mud. Sadly. I I up the dose of pred than swing I am back to almost normal. But you may have some loss of muscle

[Clarinet1234 in reply to krillemy]

Thank you

[Gala123]

For me it was mostly stiffness for walking. Climbing stairs was a combination of stiffness and muscle weakness, I think. I never had fatigue.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It can be any or all of the above - in that for the average PMR patient, it is difficult to distinguish between muscle weakness and the effects they feel of the pain and stiffness which makes muscles difficult to use and feel weak. It really is a problem because patients say my legs/arms feel weak but tests show that in PMR there is no measurable lack of strength and the different use/meaning of the term for medics and non-medics is confusing.

What are the grounds for suspecting myositis - is it blood tests showing raised creatine kinase? Other than that, the presentation can be very similar.

[Leorastar in reply to PMRpro]

I have a very slight CK increase and an itchy eye rash. However my original diagnosis was PMR with normal bloods. The eye rash, I believed was eczema. I was treated with 15mg prednisone and over a week I found walking better. That was 11 months ago. I am down to 5 mgs prednisone with some shoulder/thigh soreness. My rheumatogist wants me to stay at this level until he reviews lab work. I feel reasonably well and I am very active but my muscles tire easily. Also my eyes, which were clear, are now itchy at 5 mg. Does any of this make sense to you?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Leorastar]

It does - whichever it turns out to be. Up to 1 in 5 PMR patients don't have raised bloods. I think all of us would say we tire easily - and especially if you say you are very active. It is all about pacing and resting appropriately and a lot of activity can leave you very flat.

Itchy eyes could be due to dry eyes - do they water a lot? The proper viscous tears aren't being made so the eyes make loads of thin watery tears to try to protect your eyes - you can get eye drops and gels to help so try that. Dry eye is very common in many autoimmune disorders and pred can make it worse.

[Tappo in reply to Leorastar]

I found my muscles tired easily when walking and climbing stairs was knackering!I had a huge amount of muscle loss at the start of the illness, which was made worse by prednisolone. My muscles felt weak and shaky. I started going to the gym to do weights to help prevent osteoporosis (as well as undertaking other measures). Although my muscles aren’t as strong as they were before the illness, I found a positive side effect of going to the gym was that my muscles didn’t feel so weak and shaky when walking. I think it is a matter of striking a fine balance between exercising and trying to regain strength and muscle bulk, but overdoing it and causing more damage.

[InTheMoors]

When folks describe walking difficulty associated with PMR does this relate to muscle weakness, muscle pain or muscle fatigue or general fatigue?

I get all of these but generally not all at the same time. Yesterday I felt fine but judging from how I feel today I must have overdone it. A stick helps with balance when standing or walking.

[Oddmanout]

I've had PMR for over 5 years. Walking is probably the thing that affects me most because I did a lot of walking on a daily basis together with countryside walks with friends. Sometimes it's hip pain, leg weakness (a bit wobbly) and calf pain. It's far worse when I come across anything uphill. On Monday last I did a 4 mile walk with friends. I was very pleased to have made it but suffered halfway through when a short but fairly step section (150 yds) left me completely knackered, resulting in the need for Paracetamol due to neck and shoulder pain. Thankfully it was time for our butties and a welcome drink. Despite the difficulties I thoroughly enjoyed the company who are very tolerant and kind. I got home and slumped in the armchair exhausted but happy with myself.

[Heron82]

I liken it to walk g through treacle. Legs stiff and takes effort to move them.

[Leorastar in reply to Heron82]

These descriptions have been very helpful. I think that a diagnosis of PMR is more likely for me. The lack of inflammatory markers led to a search for another cause of my walking difficulty.

[Heron82]

I always have symptoms with relatively normal CRP levels. The medical professionals always look for evidence, but symptoms trump lab results.