hi.just want to know about flares.

[Flosy]

does a flare cause headaches,acheing too.i a m on 9mg.do you have to ask drs.to go back up to a higher does.i am so worried about this.i get good days and bad ones.i hope no one thinks i am silly as i have only been on steriods since march this year. its worried.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

A flare is a return of symptoms and is most likely to happen after you have recently reduced the dose because you have gone to too low a dose. Sometimes, though less often, it is because of a worsening of the underlying autoimmune disorder. If your symptoms return or get worse if you still have some left you need to speak to your doctor. Do you have PMR or GCA? Do you have a headache that you didn't have before?

I know it is easy for me to say but there is no point worrying - it might never happen. Take one day at a time, everyone has good and bad days and often the bad day is because you did too much on a good day. Learn to listen to your body and don't overdo things. The pred takes care of the inflammation - but you aren't cured.

[Flosy in reply to PMRpro]

i have GCA. i have dull headaches morning and at nite,that when i worry at nite,you know what its like in bed.i do take paracemols.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Flosy]

And does the paracetamol help at all? If it is GCA it won't - only pred will work.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

As you have GCA -and started on 60mg in February/March this year it could well be the signs of a flare.

You have reduced very quickly - has been discussed in previous posts - you were on 15 in July - and if I read correctly reduced to 10mg in August despite our concerns.

You really need to stop reducing - no point if you are having problems which will only get worse the lower you get . ...,and you need speak to your Rheumy ASAP to get directions of how to get things under control.

He has set you on a tapering plan which is ridiculously fast. Might be okay if it works - but it’s not!

If it’s GCA, paracetamol will do nothing.

[SheffieldJane]

Nobody thinks you are silly. This forum is all about sharing our worries, fears and experiences. I have been helped enormously by the kind generous people on here. PMRPro has outlined good advice for you as she often has for me.

[Hidden]

I’ve had a couple of flares whilst reducing And you do get used to managing them, it’s hard at the moment to wait for doctors/Rheumy appointments for advice. I would increase your dosage and see if it helps then stay at that dose for a good month. We understand that doctors want us off steroids ASAP but PMR/GCA sometimes has other ideas. My method is to reduce by 1mg ever 2 weeks once I’m stable but the withdrawal from pred is the same as the symptoms so it’s not easy. I came off steroids at the beginning of the year but the condition returned a couple of months ago if indeed it ever went away. So I’m on the treadmill once again x

[Flosy in reply to Hidden]

hi, thanks for the advice,i am on 9 mg. at moment,so what do u suggest i go back upto.

[Hidden]

If it was me... at least 15mg as you have GCA its even more important to get the inflammation under control, but you know yourself best, and obviously you need to speak to your doctor. I have just restarted at 15mg and I felt better within a few days. I agree with a previous reply you seem to have reduced very quickly x

[Flosy in reply to Hidden]

Hi,I went to see my Dr.today,had a blood test and she said to go back to 10mg for at least 4 til 5 weeks.thanks.