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[Brabazon]

Polymyalgia rheumatica, Hi, I am new to this kind of business, anyway I have had this problem for about 14 years,started on very high dose of Prednisolone 30mg +. I have crumbling vertebra top of neck, sever head aches, now I have an aneurysm in my stomachache, now I have to take asprin and stopped the Prednisolone . What can you do? I'm 76. Brabazon.

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Oh Brabazon, that sounds painful.

With regard to the severe headaches you describe, have you been advised that they are connected to the crumbling vertebra at the top of your neck?

At what level did you stop the Prednisolone? Just wondering, as PMR carries a risk of the condition, GCA, but hopefully this has been ruled out if the headaches have been linked to the neck problem. Just remain alert to any problem with your vision and seek immediate advice, at A&E if necessary, if you are concerned.

I do hope the aneurysm has been spotted whilst it is very small and that occasional monitoring will be all that is needed.

Thinking of you and hoping things get easier for you.

[Brabazon in reply to Celtic]

Hi Celtic, thanks for your concern, I cut the Prednisolone right down to 1mg a day as I hate taking tablets,I know it's foolish but I take so many of them for other problems I have. when I first started on them years ago, I could not move my head because of clicking and grinding bones in my neck, I live with a continuous headache which I have got used to. Trouble is I have all the aches and pains in my arms and legs. I have a check on my aneurysm every 6 months it is now at 4.2 not too bad yet, but having this, they were concerned about me taking Prednisolone, because I had a slight heart attack and was put on asprin to thin the blood, this happened just over a year ago. I have numerous problems too many to mention. Believe me I'm not brave, but I have got used to living with pain,I have also just developed a thyroid problem, more [tabs] and yes my eyes are getting worse. Well enough about me, how are you?. Brabazon.

P.S. If ever you need glasses, I would not recommend SPECSAVERS.

[Margaret1951 in reply to Brabazon]

Strange but I used to have bad heads and migraines , that is when they would not go so in the end I had to see GP who diagnosed GCA right away and put me on 60mg prednisoline. I have never had a migraine since ! Only my GCA heads , also affected my eyesight , have you had your eyes done at the eye clinic hospital at all, if not get your doctor to write to them !!