Pain in legs with PMR

Posted by tomek456 @tomek456, Oct 1, 2025

Has anyone experienced severe buttocks pain and running all the way down into your shins and calves? My Rheumatologist says that is more likely a back nerve compression issue when it gets below the knees. But my spine doctor doesn't think that is the issue even though my MRI shows moderate spinal stenosis and a herniated disk. To my amazement, when I mentioned PMR, he asked what is that! It takes months to see a doctor and when you do they tell you go see another doctor! Meanwhile I'm in a lot of pain and the poison, prednisone.

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The rheumatologist has suggested 15 mg for 2 wk, 12.5 for 2 wk, 10 mg for 2 wk and then taper by 1 mg per month. I had met a rheumatologist from the US while in Mexico and he just goes down to 10 mg and stops, but the guidelines might be different in Canada. Not sure. It does sound like a lot of you on this site taper down. Has anyone just stopped after 10 mg?

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My symptoms began in my hips thighs and calves, as well as shoulders. What I termed a seering hot pain, like you describe. Often like my muscles were being torn off my bones. Made me drop in my tracks. Ine did relent after noon most days. OK, enough of that.
Once I started the prednisone, it was a 3 day miraculous turn around. Started at 15 mg and I 'self medicated' to 10 mg in 4 weeks and now maintain there. I seem to be an outlier, so far, with this 'spot on' diagnosis and treatment. However; one must always keep in mind, rheumatic diseases are fikle, they can manifest differently in a variety of situations.
Sometimes more info is more confusing. Sometimes you find you get what you need!

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My symptoms have also gone to behind my knees an calves.
Dr said that’s not a typical PMR symptom….

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Profile picture for farnhamlaf1 @farnhamlaf1

My symptoms have also gone to behind my knees an calves.
Dr said that’s not a typical PMR symptom….

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@farnhamlaf1 My pain has also gone behind my knees.

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My dr does not want kevzara. Said it’s too harsh

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Profile picture for pattiobrien111 @pattiobrien111

Hello Tomek,
Shin pain was my first symptom with a f/u diagnosis of PMR and subsequent hospitalisation a month later. My other presenting symptoms were chills, low grade fevers, fatigue and elevated heart rate, along with knee pain which was presumed to be osteoarthritis from an old knee injury. My CRP was 90! The knee tap negative for sepsis. But not one doctor addressed such a high CRP. I also had a dry cough. I could not walk my knee was so bad. Second trip to the ER I was admitted and they threw the book at me with every known test. All indications were PMR and pseudo gout of my knee. I had the Covid virus 2 months prior. Never felt quite right. In essence, I would say PMR symptoms won’t necessarily fall into a classic “tidy” presentation. Also, covid is complicit in many maladies and spurring on autoimmune issues. The research supporting this is out there. PMR is an inflammatory disease and thought to be autoimmune. Managing it can be challenging and diverse for each of us. I wish you well in finding better health.

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@pattiobrien111 Patti H here. May I ask how are you these days? I have similar maladies as you.

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I don’t understand why doctors make comments that pain behind the knees or in the calves is not typical of PMR. The worst of my pain was bilaterally from the hips all the way down my legs, back of the knees, calves, all of it. The pain in my shoulders was minimal next to the legs. I think it’s clear, doctors do not give the leeway for this disease it deserves. It is clearly not the same for everyone.

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