Tendon issues

[carriej22]

Hi Guys,

I feel like at one point and time there was a drug I was on (can't recall which) that my doc warned me of Achilles tendon injury. I have been off most drugs (except still taking imuran, rabeprazole, bactrim, ventolin when needed) for over a year now, so I *thought* I would be alright. However, I did manage to do something to my achilles tendon. My doc is pretty much playing the "wait and see" card and had not recommended any further treatment. However, it's pretty painful. It's like a burning/pulling/tight feeling when I walk or do anything really. Much worse in the morning.

Anyone have a similar issue?

[annekat]

The class of drugs that sticks out in my mind for possible tendon issues is the fluoroquinolone antibiotics, including Levaquin, Avelox, Cipro and others.... they can be easily searched and you'll find discussions of these negative side effects. I only know about this because I took Levaquin and had some of these issues right away, while others reported a delayed reaction months later. Since then, I've taken Cipro and it didn't seem to cause these problems. Mine included extreme joint pain and stiffness, too, but then I didn't know I had Wegs, so some of it could have been from that. I've also heard of prednisone causing tendon issues, but I know you are off that. Whatever the cause, you have to be careful going up and down stairs or any other activities that might pull a tendon. Good luck figuring it out. Maybe it's just something you did that's unrelated to meds, and it will heal itself in time.

[MaxD]

I had severe pain and swelling in my left achilles tendon before diagnosis. The prednisone masked the pain; when I tapered down to 7mg, the pain and swelling came back though not as bad as before diagnosis. 6 months later (and 3 months since getting off prednisone), the tendon becomes stiff after a period of rest. It's worst in the mornings, so before getting out of bed I flex my feet for several minutes and that helps. Ditto before I get up after sitting for a while. The rheumatologist is sure I'm in remission, recommended an orthopedist who couldn't say what was wrong (MRI was normal), but suggested that the disease might have been responsible. She recommended physical therapy and that has helped.

And, as best I can recall, I wasn't on any fluoroquinolones prior to diagnosis, although I was on various antibiotics for 5 months. I've also read that prednisone weakens tendons - maybe that's not 100% reversible? My knees also aren't what they used to be.

I'd suggest flexing your feet, gently at first and slowly extending the stretch until you really feel it in the tendon, and then hold it for 30 seconds. Repeat a few times and see if that helps. But, don't take just my word for it!

Good luck!

[Christina32]

Hey Carrie,

Last year I had problems with my left Achilles' tendon and heel. We didn't think much of it until I had similar symptoms and pain on my right side. When it started I was at the end of a prednisone taper - to zero - and was also on azathioprine. These symptoms (Achilles/heel pain) worsened over a couple months, felt like someone smashed my heels in. My bloodwork continued to rise and my ignorance or denial led me to relapsing and not being able to walk. It was only after both sides were the same that it became more than 'tendonitis' and my doc started leaning away from the common injury. We are pretty sure this was caused by wegeners. Keep your eye on it, hopefully it's something simple but we can never be sure. I learned this diseases capabilities the hard way....

[Bing505z]

One of the many side effects of Prednisone = Tendon Ruptures. I just had shoulder surgery #1 and will have the other shoulder done in another year. It's not the GPA ...it's the Prednisone...take that to the bank

[annekat]

One of the many side effects of Prednisone = Tendon Ruptures. I just had shoulder surgery #1 and will have the other shoulder done in another year. It's not the GPA ...it's the Prednisone...take that to the bank

I believe it is true about the prednisone, and it is also true about the fluoroquinolone antibiotics. There are warnings of such in the literature that comes with them. If someone is unfortunate enough to be taking both, as I was during the time I mentioned above, it can be a double whammy. And none of my docs ever said a thing about it. I haven't had much trouble with the pred that way, but occasionally feel a twinge in a tendon, and know the possibility is there. Moving carefully is of great importance. As to the original question posed, my guess is that Carrie's doc would be more likely to warn about the fluoroquinolones, if she took them, but it could have been the prednisone, too.

[mishb]

I had shocking Achilles heel and tendon troubles and also tore my calf muscle.
The specialist said that prednisolone is the main cause.

I hope it has started to come good now Carrie

[annekat]

I had shocking Achilles heel and tendon troubles and also tore my calf muscle.
The specialist said that prednisolone is the main cause.

I hope it has started to come good now Carrie

I do realize that prednisone can do this. But I've talked to Carrie fairly recently about prednisone and believe she has been off it for quite awhile now. Would this effect continue for some time after stopping the pred? Or maybe as a withdrawal symptom? The fluoroquinolone antibiotics are known for causing this problem in some people months after stopping the drug. I know this from research I did after taking it. That is why I was suspecting this as what Carrie's doc might have warned her about, if she is having current problems without being on pred. But I have no clue whether she actually took these antibiotics and we won't know until we hear from her.

[mishb]

I have only been on 3mg pred for the past 2 years and he said that it is not the amount taken but the length of time you are or were on it for.
I thought I would be fine to avoid all such pred related problems because I was never on anything as high as most people......25mg has been my highest.

I have never taken fluoroquinolone antibiotics (that I know of).

I guess it's just one of those things

[annekat]

Yep, if you haven't taken those antibiotics, it couldn't be them. Interesting that you'd have that awful tendon and muscle injury while on that little pred... good to know about the length of time on it being such a factor.