Will 9 mg steroid reduce risk of sudden blindnessdue to GCA?

[PMRfacebook]

Hi

diagnosed February this year with PMR and successfully tapering fr9m 15 mg - currently at 9 mg

Over Easter suffered with lot of shoulder and neck pain which has subsided. However have mild sensation of pressure on the sides of both eyes - bit like wearing glasses that are too tight. also bit of numbness around top gums and nose.

All I've read 're GCA seems to suggest sudden and very painful symptoms

will raise with my GP this pm but does anyone know whether 9mg will protect against sudden blindness until I am reassured it is not GCA? Also has anyone else experienced these types of discomfort with PMR?

thanks

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Doubtful if 9mg would be enough per se, but if your other symptoms have subsided I would also question whether it’s GCA or PMR. But certainly mention to GP. Have you done anything that could have caused the neck/shoulders pain?

Quite quick getting from 15mg to 9mg as well, so could be you’re on the cusp of going below the dose you actually need.

Let us know outcome of GP appointment.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

No - if you have GCA you will need considerably more than 9mg to protect reliably against that. If it were enough - they wouldn't use such high doses.

Sudden and severe pain happens once it is bad - everything starts small, even GCA. You may not even get severe pain - that is the tricky side of GCA. And if you have any jaw pain or visual symptoms of ANY sort - don;t hang around, get thee to A&E.

[alvertta]

I have GCA. Did not have headaches. Had locked jaw, flashing lights in left eye and sore head. Started at 60 mg.

[PMRfacebook in reply to alvertta]

thank you - hope you're doing well

[alvertta in reply to PMRfacebook]

Doing ok. Not super. Ever onward.