3 opinions regarding headache

[Heinrich7]

Symptoms: I have PMR and on 5mg Prednisone. Past month having consistent pressure on head.

Monday- urgent Care for eyes. Went to get headache checked fearing GCA. Dr said eyes looked good. Take 2-400mg Ibuprofen every 4-6 hrs.

Tuesday- Family Dr examined me and thought not neurological but a tension headache. Take 10mg Amitriptylene before bed for pain. (And ok to take with my 75mg EffexorXR antidepressant which I take in morning). And get a massage.

Thursday- Saw Rheumatologist. Prescribed 50 mg Prednisone with 40 mg Pantoprazol. Sending me for biopsy to check blood vessels within a week. Did blood work for CRP and ESR levels. And we both know they can come back negative and I could still have GCA. I also don’t have all symptoms for GCA but know I could still have it.

I dislike taking all that prednisone if it’s not GCA. If I do take it and headache goes away, does that mean GCA?

OTOH, if I took the Ametriptelene and headache goes away, could be tension. However, painkillers thus far have not taken it away.

Not sure what to do.

I appreciate any advice.

[HeronNS]

Please try to relax about the prednisone. The high dose will not continue forever even if GCA confirmed. And the other pain medications each come with their own lovely suite of side effects. Pred not all bad!

Good that the doctors are taking you seriously. I know this is a tough time. I'm sure when the UK and Europe wake up you'dd get lots of support from others who have travelled this road before and come through. All the best.

[Heinrich7 in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you as I’ve been stressing about what to do. Whether it is GCA or not and I start the prednisone in am, I will still have to go through slow weaning process. Those lovely people (including yourself) on the other side do need their beauty sleep!☀️

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Heinrich7]

You can stop Pred quickly if you are on it for only a couple of weeks, it is often used like that for COPD and asthma. It only once you’ve been on it long enough for your own adrenal glands to stop functioning that you have to wean off slowly.

But as HeronNS rightly said no point in worrying until you get some results - then hopefully you will know what you are dealing with and can get the right treatment.

[Yellowbluebell]

Are you actually taking the ibuprofen? This shouldnt be used whilst using pred. Paracetamol is ok.YBB

[Heinrich7 in reply to Yellowbluebell]

Yes for a few days but stopped as didn’t help.

My daughter is on 7.5mg prednisone and takes ibuprofen occasionally. Was a constant user before prednisone. She has lupus fibromyalgia enlarged liver and possibly colitis.

But I have read numerous times on forum that not supposed to. Her Rheumatologist and Liver Specialist seem to think it’s okay.

[Yellowbluebell in reply to Heinrich7]

As long as a specialist thinks its ok for their patient thats fine but i would check what your own gp thinks. Just to be safex

[Heinrich7 in reply to Yellowbluebell]

Thanks yellowbluebell!