ADVICE NEEDED PLEASE

[siran-22-46]

At the end of last year I had to increase my pred up to 8mg because of sensitive teeth. I went very slowly back down to 6.5 mg Thursday this week being my last 7mg. Its been a stressful few months after 8 weeks holiday in spain we came home then had to fly to Germany to be with our grand daughter who was seriously ill a very emotional 4 weeks. We spent the summer re-designing our garden not stressful but hard work Then 3 weeks ago I fell into a tree hole and sprained my ankle just getting back to walking on it.

On Friday evening I was reading some paper work and realised I couldn't see properly and I had moving jagged lines in my eyes I was frightened my husband held my forehead and massaged my neck and eventually it went away but I was so drained my head and eyes felt heavy and I just had to sleep.I also had a flash of lightening and I have seen this before. It is Sunday afternoon and I am feeling much better. What I am wondering is does anyone think this may be GCA or is it because I have reduced back down to 6.5mg. Should I go to the eye hospital tomorrow. I don't see my doctor very often she leaves me to it but i will book an appointment tomorrow.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Amongst other things it could be a visual/occular migraine or it could be due to the vitreous shrinking a bit and tugging on the retina:

medicinenet.com/script/main...

But if you have the possibility of going to the eye hospital - do so asap. If that isn't possible a good optician/optometrist should be able to examine the back of your eyes and see if anything concerning is to be seen. If you do either it would be better not to drive yourself - they may put drops in to be able to see the retina and driving afterwards isn't advised.

[siran-22-46 in reply to PMRpro]

I just needed a push. I feel a lot better but know that my head is off and my eyes feel tired. I will go to the eye hospital tomorrow and see what they think. Many thanks for the info.

[Pollyanna16 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes it sounds very like an ocular migraine which I get when overtired/stressed. Rest/sleep needed all very well to prescribe not so easy to practice. Take care.

[SheffieldJane]

Firstly I hope your grand daughter has made a good recovery!!!!

You certainly have had a shed load of emotional and physical stress. No wonder your body is protesting and PMR is lapping it up ( if that's your diagnosis). Yes get your eyes examined asap! We have to be vigilant for GCA. Any more symptoms, eyes, head, jaw, get yourself to A and E pronto.

My teeth are also sensitive, I didn't really connect it with PMR. I recently had a course of antibiotics though. Could you be grinding your teeth or is this jaw pain? Did the increase in Pred help your tooth discomfort at all?

Do not fall into anymore holes!

[Rimmy]

Yes I have also noticed my teeth seem more sensitive lately ( I am still on a higher dose than you) - but hadn't attributed this to pred. Unusually I was jumping in the dentist chair just with cold air on front teeth - my dentist was surprised as they looked fine. You have certainly had a lot to deal with - the last thing you need - but certainly as PMRpro wisely suggests - best to get eyes properly checked to be on safe side.

Best wishes

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Tooth sensitivity can be associated with PMR - I was bothered with it for much of the 5 years I had PMR and no pred so it definitely wasn't pred for me! I have been using Sensodyne Proenamel toothpaste ever since - none of the other sensitive teeth products helped. I couldn't even drink a glass of water from the cold tap at times! It improved with pred and I have no trouble at all now.

[Hidden]

I definitely have sensitive teeth which only that brand helps. I am a big big clencher and grinder..lol teeth wise. lol.😁 I have found a night time bruxism guard helps. Was supposed to get one from dental hospital but student graduated and they are bad at keeping you on books thereafter. I buy them and mould them and keep them for a few weeks cleaning with steradent tabs. I find this helps teeth and jaw pain. To be honest over the years I have ruined teeth because of chronic pain. I try and just keep mouth open but often find I and grinding doing a task. A bit like when you realise shoulders have risen to ears and you have to drop them.

[siran-22-46]

Have been all day at the eye hospital it was really busy. The doctors couldn't find anything wrong with my eyes that was really good news they thought it was migraine they suggest I see my doctor. I hope this isn't the start of something else because it was awful.

Thank you for your support and advice much appreciated seems you were right in your diagnosis

[MayH]

I have had the very same thing happen to me. About three years ago ( before PMR and pred) I had a cluster of three or four episodes which doc thought were ocular migraines. Then nothing until this year (2 years into PMR) I had several over about six weeks. I had been tapering at the same time. This time I was sent to A and E in case it was GCA but everything was fine and doctor again has concluded they are ocular migraines. They are very frightening when they happen . Doc also said they usually come in clusters.

[blackstone1]

This sounds like the visual migraines I get, usually harmless. The lightning flash cold be early macular degeneration and might be worth getting it checked out.