Update

[Trish21]

I have been to rheumatologist today for results of biopsy, no inflammation found. I am reducing pred 10mg per week as advised. Pain in scalp gone, pain free in joints at the moment, better energy than I have had for what seems like forever. I mentioned my quarterly stress flu. 48 hour fever with swollen glands in neck and under arm. Rheumatologist asked about my nationality, seems there is a syndrome which has high fever and joint swelling, I am going to have to have blood test if and when I get another episode of this and another rheumatologist appointment to investigate.

[pmrkitty]

Good day to you Trish, there are so many on this site that have a lot more knowledge than myself but I did know 10mg reduction a week is far too much. Your reduction should be the go slow method depending on how much prednisone you're taking and how long you have been taking it. I will leave it at that and advise you to wait for Sheffieldjane or PMRPro to come along. You are on the right sight to get the answers you need. Take care, Kitty

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Fair enough - but if the GCA-type symptoms return as you reduce at that speed (perfectly OK after a short time and if it really isn't GCA) then stop reducing and report it to the doctor. A negative biopsy does NOT mean you definitely don't have GCA, it just means they didn't find what they were looking for and there are various reasons for that, not least it is affecting other arteries, just not the temporal one.

All the best

[Trish21 in reply to PMRpro]

This is really helpful as I am just bewildered by it all, however I do now feel I am being taken seriously by the medics and everyone on this forum