headache return whilst tapering.....

[karools16]

2 Days ago, I mentioned that I was tapering from 7mg Pred to 6.5, and that I was doing well in 3rd week. However, since yesterday, I have had a real 'zinger' of a headache. Left side, browline. Yesterday, took Pred at 6am, still headache 10am. About 4pm, headache returned. Am not prone to headaches, of any kind, so didn't take anything. At 5pm, in Tesco, headache pain. Comes and goes. Today, took Pred 4am. Now, at 9am, headache.By how much should I up the Pred? 5mg?

[karools16]

ps From this morning, the headache is now in my hairline, into scalp.

[SheffieldJane]

See a doctor karools. Fingers crossed but this in an unusual headache. Of course you are already alert for the jaw and your precious eyes. I had a spell of migraine type headaches and those were the remedies given. Nothing worked and it went but we do need to educate as we go along.

[karools16 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks Jane. After 13 years GCA,I haven't had a headache for a very long time, so this is quite a shock for me.

[PMR2011]

I did get the occasional headache as a withdrawal symptom when tapering. Have you tried Tylenol? If that works it may be withdrawal as it sounds like it came on very soon after the taper? As Jane says, though if it persists you’ll want physician input.

[karools16 in reply to PMR2011]

At 10am, I took 5mg Pred, and before that I took 1 prescribed extra strength co-codamol, which is the only painkiller I can take, being on Warfarin. I went back to bed, as I sleep very poorly at night.The pain is now not so bad, but still there.I am also under a lot of stress at present.I am reluctant to go to my GP. Last year, after 13 years, with my wonderful Neuro, and at 2 mg Pred, he handed me over to my GP and ENDO, WHO sent me for a Synacthen test, which revealed Addison's, at a time, when I was really well.My GP scoffed at me, and said I should've been off Pred a long time ago. I raised my hand to silence him, mid-sentence, and told him not to even go there.Otherwise he's a good dr.Thanks for reply.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Have you tried normal pain-killers? If it responds to them it is less likely to be a return of GCA.

If it gets worse - or persists for long - it needs Dr input.

[karools16 in reply to PMRpro]

I have just taken another co-codamol.Thanks for reply, PMRpro.

[piglette in reply to karools16]

How did you get on with the co-codamol?

[karools16 in reply to piglette]

Didn't do anything for the headache. At 4pm, took 10mg Pred, and around 7 pm, noticed there wasn't any pain. I actually slept better last night. I also take 1 co-codamol, at bed-time, which is around midnight, to get me off to sleep. Thanks for reply.

[Daisychain12]

Karools please update us darling. We are all waiting. Much love. Linda xxx

[karools16 in reply to Daisychain12]

I took 15 mg Pred at 6am. Will speak to dr today. No headache this morning. Thanks Linda.

[Daisychain12 in reply to karools16]

No headache? Oh wonderful!!! But you know you must be on the alert sweetheart. So happy you feel better!! Xxx

[pmrkitty]

So glad you are doing better. The headaches can be quite scary, I do hope you contact your doctor and nip this in the bud. Feel better!

[karools16]

I rang the surgery, yesterday, at 9am, and left message, asking dr to ring me re;gca headaches. He almost always rings lunch-time. By 3pm, heard nothing. Rang 3pm, and was told he would ring, must wait. 6.30 closing time, no call. I am out today, so who knows when he, or anyone else, will call? Thanks for reply.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to karools16]

Wouldn't want to be ill would you?

[karools16 in reply to PMRpro]

No. Took 15 mg Pred yesterday, and again today. I had 1 call yesterday, and, apparently, he rang at that time. Didn't show on phone.Left another message, and will keep on trying.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to karools16]

So you need to broadcast on all media that your friends/family/contacts are not to phone you for the rest of the day! For goodness sake...

[karools16 in reply to PMRpro]

Foolish me! Thought call was dr. Should've ignored.I'm not into all the social media, no family here,not many other calls. 'For goodness sake, I've got the hippy hippy shake'.....

[Hidden]

Hmmmmm? Must be something in the air! I was blaming my headache on the stupid Macrobid (which it may be) but mine sounds so much like yours... a constant (in intensity) dull ache, but it comes and goes. I increased from 20 mg to 25 mg this morning and have felt no relief... also have neck and shoulder pain. I will up to 30 tomorrow if it's still hanging around. I'll let the experts advise on pred intake as I am clueless and just play it by ear! Good luck I hope you find relief soon... xxx