Dizziness

[Ann-1]

Anyone else experienced dizzy spells on 60mg preds. Today has been particularly bad with pounding headache. Usually clears by lunchtime.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Dizziness is one of the common side effect s of Pred especially at high does, and early into treatment. It should settle as -

a. your body acclimatizes to high dose, and

b. as you reduce.

As it clears in the afternoon, that's a good sign. If it continues too long you could mention to doctor, but he may suggest you split dose, which is really not the best idea for GCA patients, especially early days.

[Ann-1 in reply to DorsetLady]

Your reassurance is always much appreciated. Found myself weeping at your response (more stressed than I thought 😭) x

[Hidden in reply to Ann-1]

🌻💜

[HeronNS]

I'm sure you're trying to get as much rest as you can. If possible try to have a little gentle exercise, like a walk, in the fresh air every day, and keep well hydrated. I think even those of us who start pred for PMR at a much lower dose than for GCA also often get headaches. This too shall pass!

[Smokygirl in reply to HeronNS]

Yes I do Heron. I feel clear headed when I wake up in the morning but an hour after taking my morning Pred I get a low grade fuzzy headache. This lasts until after lunch and then I sleep for an hour and wake up clear headed again. I’d hoped it would go away as I taper. ( I’m on 13.5 at the moment)

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Smokygirl]

Someone who had a similar problem took her pred at night so she slept through it - at the suggestion of her GP. It didn't have any effect on her sleep patterns either.

[Smokygirl in reply to PMRpro]

Thankyou for the tip PMR pro — I shall try that in a few weeks time as it’s still early days for me! x

[Marijo1951]

I had a couple of ''funny turns'' when I was on 60 mg, the first one when I was at the hospital for blood tests which was handy. I felt dizzy but the main symptom was a crashing frontal headache. I later felt a third one coming on but found that I could control it by deep breathing. I've had nothing like it since. I should add that at first the doctors told me it was nothing to do with the steroids, but a more honest doctor told me on the second occasion that it was my body getting using to the steroids and it would pass. I assume the first doctors were scared that I would stop taking the pred, as if I was incapable of weighing up the pros and cons and making the best decision.

[Janstr]

I described it as feeling spaced out & at times at to hold onto the wall. It does get better as you lower the pred dose.

[Poppylop]

Hi, I was diagnosed last monday with PMR and possible GCA, put on 40mg pred, I've been having terrible side effects, headaches, dizziness, burning face, arms and chest, indigestion and a few more, the Dr told me to try splitting the dose, which I have done, I don't get quite such a bad tummy now , i still get the burning dizzy feelings but they don't last as long, but it's done nothing to help the headaches, I have them on and off all day but seem to have a permanent one in the evening but it's gone when I wake up next morning, having a problem getting my first rheumatologist appointment, hopefully when I do he might drop the dose, fingers crossed.