Calf problems when walking

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi, was diagnosed in November past with PMR but was undiagnosed for approx 6 months.  All my pain and stiffness was from neck down to knees.  I have never had problems below my knees.  When I go for a short drive to do some grocery shopping it's really not a problem (my son comes with me so that he can pack and put away my groceries).

Two weeks in a row I have walked to my slimming club which is 5 mins away but after a short while my calf muscles start to ache, the left more than the right.  I have to hold on to my son for support.  Before PMR and on a good day I could walk 4 miles.  Never in my life have I had a problem with calf muscles.  If it's not bad enough having PMR, now I cannot go out for a short walk without real discomfort.  Thank you in advance for any replies.  Also I have lost 1lb in weight in 7 weeks even on a very low carb diet.  So am not going back to slimming club, am just fed up with everything at present, but it will pass, when I don't know, but sure I'm not going anywhere.

2

Does the calf pain go away when you stop and then return when you walk again? If so, that is something called claudication pain and is an indication that the arteries supplying your legs with oxygenated blood are narrowed. This is something that can happen with GCA and other forms of vasculitis but can also happen independently.

Your GP should refer you to a vascular surgeon for assessment to identify where the problem is and for recommendations as to the best way of managing it. Your doctor can check the pulses and blood pressure at your ankles - but that is going to be at rest, the problem occurs during exercise so you need to be sent to a vascular diagnostic laboratory to get it tested properly.

3

Hello pat, as I understand it prednisolone can cause muscle wastage and that's one of the reasons  we are encouraged to exercise as much as we each can. Also exercise helps with lessening the effects of preds of bone wastage on our bones. Some days when I exercise later on that day or even the next day I get pains in my muscles. I simply ignore it and continue with walking or exercising a day or two later. I am no Dr and have no medical training but I don think it's anything to worry over. All the best, christina 

4

Yes Eileen it does, as soon as I stop walking it goes away, after a short rest period. As soon as I start walking again it starts. So I need to make appt with dr and get her to refer me to a vascular surgeon.  Oh but I thought ME was bad but managed it quite well, most times I forgot I had it (well after 14 years) but this PMR has really stopped me in my tracks.  Thanks Eileen, I don't know what I and others would do without you and a few others on this site.  

5

Hi Christina, thanks for your input.  Simple walking, not excercising causes the pain in my calves, I have to push past it in order to get home.  I want to strenghen my bones as I am aware of the damage of steroids.  I just want to be able to walk, even a short distance but the pain in my calves stops me in my tracks.

6

Hi pat, I hope you get a drs appointment soon and things work out well. Regards, Christina 

7

Thank you Christina, will make an appt soon.  I have yet to see a Rheumy.  It's just this PMR sometimes gets me down.  But thanks again.

8

One of the first approaches suggested is often to walk through the pain: you walk until it hurts, rest and then walk a bit further before resting. It has the same effect as training for an athlete:

"Walking programs, when carefully followed, can double or quadruple the distances you can walk without pain.

Your vascular specialist will tailor your walking program to you, but walking programs generally follow similar guidelines. Your walking program will work best if you:

- Walk three or more times per week

- Increase the amount of time that you can walk without reproducing the pain in your legs by gradually walking for longer and longer periods without stopping

- Avoid tobacco completely

- Maintain your ideal body weight

You will need to maintain the walking program for at least three to six months to maximize benefits from it.

Although your physician will tailor your walking program to your specific needs, typically sessions contain the following elements:

- At first, you should walk until you feel mild leg pain, often about three to five minutes after starting

- Continue walking until the pain becomes moderate to severe (on a scale of one to five, the pain is three or more)

- Then stop and rest until the pain goes away, usually after a few minutes

- After the pain goes away, begin walking again

- Repeat this cycle of exercise and rest for a total of 30 to 35 minutes

- As your program continues, gradually increase the time you walk to a total of 50 minutes to one hour

- As you progress in your walking program, you will usually be able to walk for longer periods of time without pain"

It isn't an instant cure but it does work if you are consistent with your exercise. If the narrowing gets worse or you start to get what is called resting pain they may consider other things. 

Getting yourself some walking poles will help your balance and help you manage further - and are easier to use and less "old granny" than walking sticks. If you can find a class to teach you how to use them, Nordic walking poles are best as they have hand pieces which help your action. AgeConcern and other age charities used to do them and some local authorities can provide advice.

9

I do get severe calf pain sometimes..its more of a cramp. I use magnesium spray which helps but the best help I have had is from arnica and even better pernaton gel.

Since the bowen treatments its not happened though

10

Thanks Eileen, even 30 to 35 minutes of walking seems like a mountain to climb at present.  I will try soon.  I don't want to do anything just yet as I have just reduced from 17.5mg pred to 15mg just yesterday, so don't want to  jepredise that.  

11

Hi Jennissw, I cannot say my calf pain is severe but terribly uncomfortable, I have to stop walking in order to get ease.  What is a magnesium spray?  I have arnica gel but don't need to use it because the pain/ache stops as soon as I stop walking or when I get home and am resting.  

12

Exactly - so you start small and build very slowly, always having your rest and then walking again. You don't walk for 30 minutes in one go but a total of that with rests in between. Five mins to a park bench, rest, five minutes to another park bench, rest, another 5 mins to a cafe - have a cup of coffee and then do the same walking back! That adds up to 30 mins altogether. If you get a rollator you have some support when walking - and always have a seat with you! You also walk better than with a walking stick.

13

Thanks Eileen that is something I need to plan ahead for.  I live near a park so maybe when the weather is better or I am stronger or both I will start the progressive walking with interval stops.  Much obliged.

14

I had extreme muscle atropy taking prednisone, so much so that I had a few days in a wheelchair. I had to work my way back to walking very slowly. One tool that was fabulous was my daughter's exercise trampoline. My 10 year old has sensory issues so I bought her a lovely fitness trampoline with a bar a couple of year ago. That thing allowed me to just stand on it and sway back and forth. the bar gives you balance and the gentle pushing helps build the calves really quickly. it's just the amount of resistance that your body needs. And best of all, you use it when you want. I could do just a minute of it a few times a day (even in my pajamas). awesome. so those days at the beginning when I could barely walk it was fabulous. I climbed on, swayed a bit and got off. perfect. And I didn't need to wait for my family to take me out for a walk (though I did go outside for walks later). Anyway, if you can swing getting one, they're lovely. 

15

Pat, In my healthy and young days I went to a gym and I put on 3 kg.  Muscle is heavier than fat!  Since starting PMR, after putting on 4  kgs at first, I have lost 10 kgs.   I have just moved, followed by an agressive flu (I hear you all moan (old news!!) In the 4 weeks I have been ill I have lost 4 kgs.  The old saying of "eat less" seems to be the answer.

By the way - how are you getting on with your pilates machine?

16

Lisa, I also have one of those little round exercise trampolines and part of my keep fit regime is to pop up and down on it as if I were sort of jogging but not quite a jog. I think it's excellent as it uses my muscles whilst protecting my joints from the jolt you get when jogging/running. I do 3 times a week only for about 5 minutes each time, not much I know but that is only part of my exercise regime and the journey of a thousand miles starts with one step! All the best, christina 

17

they are totally awesome. best thing ever for this sort of issue. so glad we have one and I can't imagine making the progress I have without one. plus they're great for those 3am wake ups with prednisone. I can exercise a wee bit, but not too much, just like a quick walk, but on my trampoline. and it doesn't wake anyone but the cats smile.

18

Thanks Lisa for your input.  I wouldn't have room for a little trampoline.  Having said that when I am out shopping in Malls wearing heels I don't have a problem walking up and down aisles.  It's only when I put trainers on and go outside that thie calf problems start.  

19

Oh a little round exercise trampoline seems like a good adea but would not have the space for it.  I would prefer a walk and some fresh air and also when I get my pilates machine up and working I will be doing gentle exercise.  Thanks again

20

Hi Constance, it's not so long ago  (3 years) that I was assigned a personal trainer at my local gym I was a gp referral.  She put me through my paces and at my best I was burning 560 cals per hour.  I had to fill a food diary in every week.  In the end she asked my permission to ring my gp and she said that there was something wrong as I lost 7lb in 12 weeks so was referred to Endocrinology again.  I did not put weight on and I know muscle weighs heavier than fat.

I have went back to my slimming club and lost 1lb in 7 weeks, soul destroying when I stick to the plan, record everything I ate and also reduced my carb intake. (to no avail)

I am sorry that you had a time of it having to move and also an agressive fu.  Hopefully you are getting back to your health.  I have been told many times that I am not eating enough so eating less doesn't work for me and for the pilates, well it's still in it's box and the stand is still in it's box.  I need to clear a room out before it can go down and  then new carpet has to go down and with PMR I am just not able to clear the room but hopefully will get there, what year I don't know at this present moment in time.