feeling of woolly head and wobbly legs after taking 40mg steriods

[jaida70]

Is it usual to feel so odd after taking my morning medications. Some days are worse than others but most days I feel very wobbly and as if my head does not belong to me. I have been diagnosed with GCA about 6 weeks ago and started on 60mg of preds.

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

jaida, yes, it's unfortunately very common to have a woolly head and the wobbles, particularly on such high doses. Shortly after starting the 40mg dose, I was carted off to A&E feeling especially odd and with my pulse all over the place. You should feel a great improvement as you reduce the dose but meanwhile have as much rest as possible, even on the better days, whilst the steroids get control over the inflammation and your body adapts to the onslaught of the treatment.

[jaida70 in reply to Celtic]

Thanks for that Celtic and the other people who replied. I also notice that my pulse goes all over the place shortly after taking my meds. At least I now that this is what other people have experienced. Glad that you are in a better place now. I am having my blood tests tomorrow and hopefully if ESR's ok then I should be able to drop down the dose. I do try and rest when I can - thank heavens I am retired as I don't think I would be able to work at present!

[jinasc]

jaida70

As Celtic has said, that feeling is quite common.

You may like to visit pmr-gca-northeast.org.uk and read up on GCA

PMR GCA Scotland's website also has a load of information.

PMR GCA UK's website has information and a list of Support Groups.

Both Celtic and I are in remission after our encounter with GCA, you will improve but don't expect miracles early on.

Knowledge is Power, read all you can.

[raymck]

I can also verify Celtic and other posts. As an ex GCA sight loss sufferer who felt similar symptoms and thankfully now rarely feel any so am happy driving again. Keep on the reducing plan and it will sort itself out! Good luck and no flareups to deal with we hope.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

As the others have said - very common. But you are in the very early stages still and that is a very high dose of pred for your body to cope with. Do try to rest as much as you can - sleep is probably difficult but don't try to force yourself to do too much, however manic you may feel on pred.

I know there is very little to SEE when we have GCA - but it is a quite serious systemic illness and needs to be treated with respect.

[30048]

You could ask your doctor if you can split your dose so you are not getting it all at one time/ That has helped me but I am not in the early stages so I do not know if it is okay to do at first.