Jaw pain intense when chewing after a dose drop.

[Aleish]

Was on 60 mgs. Of prednisone for two weeks but sed rate went very low and came down to 50 mgs prednisone and now a chopped salad is almost impossible to eat. Can only tolerate soft food but still causes slight pain. Can this pain dissolve or is it just not long enough at 60 mgs prednisone? My headaches are gone and most of the other body pain issues are not noticeable.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi Aleish,

I would say you need to stay at Initial dose for a month, that enables the Pred to get a control of the inflammation caused by the GCA. I know lots of doctors disagree, but from personal experience, and reading about others on here it's the way to go.

Your sed rate should be low with the initial dose, that's what happens if the Pred is doing its work correctly, another thing the doctors don't always seem to "get"!

I also think you may have dropped too much - 55mg would have been better. You may find the jaw gets better within the next few days, but if it doesn't then you may have to consider going up to 55mg to relieve it.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I'd check with your doctor if I were you. And I'd suggest only dropping 5mg at a time - 5mg every 2 weeks is 10mg a month but much easier on your body.

And REST!!!! Give your body a chance to heal!