Puffy eyes

[mamma1027]

I've been on pred for four weeks now, and my face is definitely a little rounder (but no weight gain yet, still 8.5 stone) but last night my eyes puffed up and still are this morning. Is this the pred or the pmr or could it be gca?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Pred causes some fluid retention and it is common to find it sometimes affects the face more than other places. I had puffy eyes for a long time and it wasn't GCA - it was after a higher dose of pred. The GCA doesn't really affect the eyes externally - it can stop the blood flow to the optic nerve, deep in the brain and running to the back of the eye.

Mention it to your doctor but I don't think it is anything to panic about.

[mamma1027 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMRpro. I thought it was probably the pred, but I'm seeing my gp on monday anyway, so will mention it, as I'm having migraine-like headaches which aren't really responding to my sumatriptan tabs. I'm still smiling though

[Angela123 in reply to mamma1027]

Hi Mamma1027. I had horrendous headaches starting a week after my first dose of pred and lasting many weeks. Also had migraines for the first time in my life (I'm 60). My Rheumy gave me Amitryptiline, a low dose antidepressant. It helped the headaches a lot and I sleep solid which also helps a lot. I've felt better since I got below 10mgs (now at 7.5). The usual painkillers didn't work for me either. Good luck with your appointment. Angela x

[mamma1027 in reply to Angela123]

Thank you Angela, I've suffered migraines for 42 years now and have tried amitryptaline in the past. I'm just hoping its the ored causing this and not pmr's ugly sister! Haha I'm sure I'll get it sorted in the end x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to mamma1027]

New headaches? That always makes me a bit twitchy! If you have any visual symptoms between now and Monday don't wait until then - go to A&E.

[Jan1961]

I had puffy eyes and dark circles due to lack of sleep... I searched internet and now use snake venom eye cream and other products... It works wonders for me and I have now dropped to 45mgs... You can buy it in shops too... Good luck x

[mamma1027 in reply to Jan1961]

Thanks Jan1961 - I will go online and order some to try.

[EdithWales in reply to Jan1961]

Thanks Jan, what other products?

[Jan1961 in reply to EdithWales]

Face creams, face scrubs with snake venom in them.. Loads on market I use the balance ones... Also cucumber straight out the fridge ... Lol doc thought I had been hit in both eyes as the dark circles under them looked awful and the puffiness looked as if I was carrying water incase I got thirsty! It's all calmed down now and looks a lot better despite the high dose of pred... I hate this GCA and PMR find it all very confusing not sure what is affecting me worse!! Those conditions or the pred! Let me know if you get the products and how you get on x

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Mamma, I had such a swollen and puffy face in the early days of GCA that my eyes were reduced to little slits, and with your mention of headaches as well, I think you are very wise to be checking this out with your GP on Monday. Hopefully all will be well and it will be due to the Pred, so keep smiling!

[mamma1027 in reply to Celtic]

Thank you Celtic. I keep thinking I'm getting a bit paranoid with all this, but I've suffered with migraines since I was 7, and these ones I'm getting now are just a wee bit different. Sumatriptan tajes the edge off of them initially (whereas before they went completely) but it returns within a few hours. Triptans work by shrinking blood vessels down, but if it is gca then im guessing as soon as the triptan effect wears off the pain returns. I'm hoping its just a side effect of the pred.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to mamma1027]

I wouldn't worry about being paranoid! Just remain really aware - lots of people KNOW the theory but when the practice happens they just sit there and wait! Once too often worrying is better than ignoring things.

[mamma1027 in reply to PMRpro]

I took an imigran and the headache has definitely lessened, so maybe it is just a run of migraines, but I will keep a close eye on it. Thank you PMRpro for your advice and support, and to everyone on here xx

[Hidden]

I have been on pred for nearly a year now and for the past 5 months have had oedematous top and bottom eyelids. Apparently it is a pred side effect. I have also had headaches, blurry vision and jaw/ facial pain for all of that time. I have had no weight gain or swelling of legs, my face is a little more " puffy " than normal. Usually if you develop odema it is in " dependent " areas, ie feet, legs etc.

It may be worth getting a urine sample checked for the presence of protein and make sure your kidney function is ok.

[mamma1027 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Keyes, I'll ask for a check when I see my gp on Monday.

[jinasc]

mamma1027,

Feverfew tablets help with migraine, but and I emphasize the BUT, you must check out with a Pharmacists and new prescription or homeopathic remedy for compatibility with what ever medicines you are already taking.

[jinasc]

Keyes

You wrote " I have also had headaches, blurry vision and jaw/ facial pain for all of that time".

Have you been checked for GCA, those are classic symptoms.

Visit pmr-gca-northeast.org.uk and under Useful Medical information read the BSR Guidelines on Treatment and Diagnosis of GCA. Alternatively visit either the BSR website or PMR GCA uk website.

[Hidden in reply to jinasc]

Thanks Sambucca, although I have all the classic symptoms of PMR/GCA I don't have a diagnosis of such , only " auto immune illness ". Am still on pred and now taking mycophenolate.

[jinasc]

Hi Keyes,

I am curious have you been prescribed mycophenolate as a steroid sparing agent, or because you don't have a diagnosis as such and they think whatever is going on is part of the Vasculitis family.

Mycophenolate is a type of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD).

arthritisresearchuk.org/art...

[Hidden in reply to jinasc]

Hi Sambucca,

Was on Methotrexate but even on the highest dose it wore off after 5 days. My lupus bloods are equivocal and my C3 complement is low. Sought a second opinion, they recommended mycophenolate as they believe whatever I have is a connective tissue " thing " and mycophenolate is being used more often for Lupus. My Rheumy is not prepared to put any label on but was happy to try it. Fingers crossed.

[jinasc]

Will keep mine crossed as well. Thank you for the information.