prednisone and numbness in my feet!

hello all!
I was on prednisone for six weeks beginning last christmas eve. A short time after going on it, the balls of my feet experienced numbness as well as some toes. It hasn't really gone away either. If I put my feet up for a while, it gets a little better. My dr said it was relatively common and said it should go away. But its been 9 months and I am getting worried about permanent nerve damage. Has any else experienced this? does it every go away?

I can't find any answers, but I know I can always depend on this board to help me out.
Terrie

Terrie,
I've had a lot of problems from the steriods; but, I was on them a lot longer than you and on higher doses. I wouldn't think that six weeks would cause you much problems. I get numbness and cramps in my feet and hands. My hands bother me a lot from taking the steriods, too (like achiness). But, I still keep active by exercising and swimming--trying not to dwell on it too much. My personal opinion is that the steriods are probably as bad as some of these other meds that other IPTer's have to take. My worst problem (besides the fatigue) is that my hearing and my site seems a little worse than before. As long as I can stay in remission, I really don't mind putting up with these things. I don't get a blood test until some time in November.

Try not to worry too much because it sounds like you are doing really well:)

Terrie:

I don't think that is a common side effect, especially after only 6 weeks. Do you have any tingling with it?

I experienced cramp like sensations for a while earlier on this year. I read the steroid info then read the indegestion info and found out mine was probably due to the indegestion remedy they give me when one steroids

Gingerly I stopped the indegestion and not taken any more this year as been on steroids on and off throughout the 9 months. I found the cramp pains etc gone away too with it.

The other year I developed not spurrs but that other foot issue I can't remember what its called as a result of getting my feet wet on a walk. I was wearing usual boots but only discovered once started the walk they should have been waterproofed recently. It took a good year to get rid of it. The treatment then was a pain killer and exercises the nurse had down loaded for me and doing them worked. How old are you. I was 40 with that and females 40 over more prone to it.

If you are still concerned I would get your feet checked with your family doc anyways. I tmay be nothing to do with steroids, just co-cidence. Or it may be steroids weakend something that always been there but you not noticed before. Steroids can bring things to the front so to speak. did you have an injury there at any time? Though I think you guys pay every time you go don't you? Am English and am used to the idea one can just pop along etc...

Thanks for the quick responses!
I do have some tingling, too,but not as much as I used to. While reading your responses, I remembered :blush: that my taking ciproflaxacin caused my itp. There is now a class action lawsuit in process due to the tendon problems it causes as a side effect. My achilles tendons still hurt. I have asked my gp about the numbness and she said it was the prednisone. I didn't ask her how long it would go on or if it was permanent because I thought it would soon go away. Maybe I'll call my heme. He probably has more experience with it. I don't let it stress me out too much. Its just that my mom has diabetes and she can't feel the bottom of her feet and recently had a toe removed. I don't have diabetes though.I'll ask my gp too. Maybe I should be referred to a foot dr.

Rhinnan, I remember having lots of cramps too. They took a while to go away. Its a serious medicine but I think it does more good than harm.

I suppose I should concentrate on the good things that happened and that I am doing so well.

There is a big difference between Achilles Tendonitis and numbness in the feet. I've had both, and they are diagnosed and treated by different doctors.

You can possibly let it go if it's not getting any worse, but if it does progress, I'd take it further.