Flu symptoms

[JanieBaxter]

Never rains but pours!! I have developed flu like symptoms with a horrible cough and slight pain in my temple at right hand side!! Now I know there are so many bugs going round that I probably have the flu - so why is my mind panicking again about gca 😩😩I hate how normal worries are being manifested in my mind and ruining my life as I just looked at symptoms of gca and all sound like how I feel - but if I didn’t have pmr I would just accept that I had flu as hundreds of others at this time of year 😏

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Which puts you one ahead of someone who develops GCA without a history. Don't panic, just be watchful and if the one-sided headache gets worse, seek help.

[Hidden]

It's normal to worry a bit. I was singing carols with the kids in the family and my jaw was sooo painful by the end my first thought was oh no GCA! Then I thought again and calmed a bit. It's still sore today but after 3 days of singing and shouting with 10 people when I normally spend time alone is bound to make muscles hurt. I had a bad flu bout 6 weeks ago and sinuses filled up on right hand side as well as chest infection. Fortuntealy these things calmed down too. I just try not to stress too much but just keep it in mind.

[SheffieldJane]

You’re not alone Janie. I’ve got a long haul flight to Australia tomorrow and I have a headache and eyestrain. So you can guess the scenario running around my head trapped on a plane. Let’s just breathe shall we. I doubt the hyper vigilant get caught out.

[JanieBaxter in reply to SheffieldJane]

It’s horrible dealing with all the worry on top of everything else but as you say at least we are aware - enjoy Australia 🇦🇺 I have family over there just now for 3 weeks they flew out Xmas eve x

[Hidden in reply to SheffieldJane]

Safe journey....dont squeeze too hard when you get there. You need them for full hols 😂

[yogabonnie in reply to SheffieldJane]

Have a wonderful trip. Let's home someone didn't get on the wrong plane with you and you have to fly half way there and all the way back to let him off!! Did you read about that..trip from LAX to Tokyo. CRAZY! 8 hours to nowhere!.. Happy Travlels.

[SheffieldJane]

Bless you gang! X

[yogabonnie]

So sorry you feel so awful. Sending big healing vibes.

[JD4pmr]

Hi JanieBaxter - I was 'there' about four weeks ago ! Flu symptoms, exhausted, sinuses blocked, which was probably the reason for the headache and PAIN IN THE TEMPLE [panic ...as you say what could it possibly be but GCA ! ]

Its a fine balancing act staying aware without becoming paranoid about every new ache or stiffness. I am so relieved to have had my pred dose revised upwards in the summer - and now tapering at 1mg or less a month and pacing myself so feeling OK, but the idea of descending into the pit of a PMR flare [for the fourth time over 5 years] does set the alarm bells ringing when in reality its just some bug doing the rounds.

Thank for posting this it made a lot of sense !

[JanieBaxter in reply to JD4pmr]

It’s a nightmare trying not to panic about symptoms that before pmr wouldn’t have raised alarm bells 😩glad you are doing well - I’m only 6 weeks in 🙈x

[JD4pmr in reply to JanieBaxter]

Ahh I do wish you well. Stick with this amazing forum - it took me three years in the wilderness before I found it, and when it comes to tapering the pred take the advice to go at SNAILS PACE, I had to learn the hard way.

[JanieBaxter in reply to JD4pmr]

Oh I will stick with it it’s been a godsend found it in the early hours of a dark night when I was totally overwhelmed by finding out I had an illness I hadn’t even heard of and doc sent me away with a bag full of medication but no info at all 😩x