Temporal Arteritis : Hi I’ve been put on 40mg of... - PMRGCAuk

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Temporal Arteritis

Misty12345 profile image
13 Replies

Hi I’ve been put on 40mg of prednisolone and an urgent referral to hospital had blood test with raised inflammatory factors and a headache from hell and for over a week , also aching joints . The doc said she thinks it’s temporal Arteritis I’ve been on steroids for 4days how long do they take to start working as headache hasn’t gone yet and feeling very worried about what’s ahead I’m meant to be going on holiday in 9days flying to Croatia so not sure if I should go any advice greatly appreciated

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Misty12345 profile image
Misty12345
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13 Replies
Soraya_PMR profile image
Soraya_PMR

I hope your holiday is insured, you may well need to cancel.

As for headache, I’ll leave that advice to those with GCA/TA (I’m PMR only)

But.....are you resting?

Misty12345 profile image
Misty12345 in reply to Soraya_PMR

Thanks for reply Yes it’s insured I’ve done nothing for over a week so bored

SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane

You may need a higher dose than 40 mgs, 60mgs seems a usual start dose. Please ensure that your doctor knows that you are still suffering so much. I am sorry this has happened to you!

I would postpone your holiday until the symptoms are more tolerable . If you are a reader, audio books might help with the boredom, without increasing your head pain.

Misty12345 profile image
Misty12345 in reply to SheffieldJane

Thank you for your reply I will have to wait till Tuesday to speak to my doctor

in reply to Misty12345

If it gets worse try the emergency dr or the walk in or a and e...you may get the go ahead to up the dose. 48hours is a long time if it gets worserer as i used to say as a kid.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

Hi,

Good advice given..

Contact doctor and tell her you still have pains, 40mg is usually the lowest starting dose for GCA so you may need more, but if I recall it did take a few days for things to settle - although I did have other complications so maybe not fair to compare.

Holiday may not be possible, not really recommended you fly in early stages of GCA, but you need medical advice for that. Personally I would try and rearrange.

Misty12345 profile image
Misty12345

Thank you everyone

SnazzyD profile image
SnazzyD

All good advice so far. I know a holiday cancellation may seem an awful thing, but it doesn’t bear thinking about going to a foreign country while in this ‘unstable’ stage of the illness and while you are still feeling your way. Go when your dose is doing the trick reliably and you have got a handle on all the odd feelings that come with Pred.

sondya profile image
sondya

Main thing is that you are on pred, so reducing the risk of losing sight in one eye if diagnosis is GCA.

Rimmy profile image
Rimmy

More important than travelling is that you are on enough Prednisone to control the inflammation- as others have mentioned. Don't hesitate to get more urgent treatment if you get any worsening of your symptoms or if you have any visual symptoms at all - you may well need a higher dose of Prednisone - even double what you are on (or more) initially.

Sorry to hear, had a similar situation to yourself. Make sure your Insurance Co is advised, that is important ,may have to increase premium. Even then you would still not be covered. I am still engaged with SAGA since May last year and now it is with Ombudsman! My Son is helping me fight my case - He at a high level but practical in the insurance business . Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but better you know. John -

Sorry Soraya have just seen your reply, please accept my apologies, John

Pippah45 profile image
Pippah45

I am afraid we are all different - but I had a headache like you suspected TA aka GCA. I was told I could take paracetamol with the 60 prednisolone. My headache wasn't all that bad but had been going on for two weeks - I am hoping it was a false alarm BUT it is important to take it seriously. Please go to ER if anything gets worse - this is a condition that needs urgent attention. My brother also had it with eye disturbances that were critical. I would take advice about that holiday and maybe be ready to postpone that? I think there is plenty of hope with the right treatment. Good luck.

Misty12345 profile image
Misty12345

Thank you the headache isn’t quite so bad today just extreme fatigue today paracetamol makes no difference at all so don’t bother to take it now I have a doctors app Wednesday so will sit it out till then and hope my hospital referral is in the post tomorrow morning I won’t be going on holiday feeling like this that’s for sure thank you for thoughts

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