1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Can steroids cause peripheral vascular disease

Posted by elainemargaret @elainemargaret, 4 days ago

Can Prednisone cause peripheral vascular disease? I am 67 and was healthy before being diagnosed with PMR in October 2022, I was on Prednisone until September 2024. I have not been able to get my leg muscles strong, even with exercises and physio. Walking, stairs and getting up from a sitting position is still hard/painful after all this time. I exercised all through being sick. I thought it was steroid myopathy. There has been some small improvement since I came off Prednisone. My arms and hands no longer hurt. Tests are showing PVD in my upper legs. Waiting for a referral to a Vascular Surgeon.

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | 4 days ago

Hi @elainemargaret, Hopefully you can get some answers when you get a referral to a vascular surgeon. It might be helpful to write down any questions you might have and take them with you to the appointment. It always helps me remember to ask the questions even if I don't break the notes I brought with me. I did find some similar research that might shed some light on your question.

-- Increased risk of peripheral arterial disease in polymyalgia rheumatica: a population-based cohort study
https://arthritis-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/ar2664
-- Even low doses of steroids increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with inflammatory diseases:
https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/low-doses-steroids-increase-cardiovascular-risks-in-inflammatory-diseases/
My PMR has been in remission for almost 7 years now and I'm still working on strengthening my arms and legs. I'm sure my age at 81 has a lot to do with my lack of progress. I still have trouble walking a distance and need to use railings on stairs. It's good to hear that you are still doing the exercises and physio even if you don't feel much progress is being made. I think that might be my number one question when I got the referral - what can I do to help build my leg strength.

REPLY
2 replies
elainemargaret | @elainemargaret | 4 days ago
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi @elainemargaret, Hopefully you can get some answers when you get a referral to a vascular..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi @elainemargaret, Hopefully you can get some answers when you get a referral to a vascular surgeon. It might be helpful to write down any questions you might have and take them with you to the appointment. It always helps me remember to ask the questions even if I don't break the notes I brought with me. I did find some similar research that might shed some light on your question.

-- Increased risk of peripheral arterial disease in polymyalgia rheumatica: a population-based cohort study
https://arthritis-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/ar2664
-- Even low doses of steroids increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with inflammatory diseases:
https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/low-doses-steroids-increase-cardiovascular-risks-in-inflammatory-diseases/
My PMR has been in remission for almost 7 years now and I'm still working on strengthening my arms and legs. I'm sure my age at 81 has a lot to do with my lack of progress. I still have trouble walking a distance and need to use railings on stairs. It's good to hear that you are still doing the exercises and physio even if you don't feel much progress is being made. I think that might be my number one question when I got the referral - what can I do to help build my leg strength.

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Thank you John for this information I will mention it when I go to my appointment with the vascular doctor .Who knows how long that will be. I do have an appointment with my rheumatologist the end of March so I will ask him too. Thank you

REPLY
kathyv66 | @kathyv66 | 3 days ago
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi @elainemargaret, Hopefully you can get some answers when you get a referral to a vascular..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi @elainemargaret, Hopefully you can get some answers when you get a referral to a vascular surgeon. It might be helpful to write down any questions you might have and take them with you to the appointment. It always helps me remember to ask the questions even if I don't break the notes I brought with me. I did find some similar research that might shed some light on your question.

-- Increased risk of peripheral arterial disease in polymyalgia rheumatica: a population-based cohort study
https://arthritis-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/ar2664
-- Even low doses of steroids increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with inflammatory diseases:
https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/low-doses-steroids-increase-cardiovascular-risks-in-inflammatory-diseases/
My PMR has been in remission for almost 7 years now and I'm still working on strengthening my arms and legs. I'm sure my age at 81 has a lot to do with my lack of progress. I still have trouble walking a distance and need to use railings on stairs. It's good to hear that you are still doing the exercises and physio even if you don't feel much progress is being made. I think that might be my number one question when I got the referral - what can I do to help build my leg strength.

Jump to this post

Thanks for sharing those studies - I developed PAD when my PMR was active. I was also going through chemo and developed peripheral neuropathy - my activity level was quite low during that period. I have always felt there was a relationship between these things (ie PAD was caused by one of the other things) but my doctor wouldn't entertain that. My PAD is measured annually by doppler tests. I was told I could increase my endurance through regular walking but the test results would only get worse or stabilize. Well, the last two tests have shown a slight improvement and I don't walk regularly

REPLY
lindam1231 | @lindam1231 | 3 days ago

It is so hard to continue regular exercise with pain conditions. I explain to friends and family, “when it hurts to touch the hot pan you learn to stop doing it.” However, exercise is a true double edged sword: we absolutely need to exercise but cannot overdo it if pain conditions are part of our reality. Do it cautiously.

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