Reducing steroids

[Sheenjoanie]

Hi SheenieJoan . I have been on steroids for two and half years. 10 weeks ago I was down to 4mg and then I started to have problems when I tried to go down to 3 3/4 pain started, was on that dose for six weeks, then went to 3 1/2 .I have started to have more pain in my eyes and are blurred at times. But the other night I woke up with pain in my left eye very blurred pain in the side of head along side of eye and headache and was feeling very unwell have now gone back to 4mg feeling a bit better still not happy with eye

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I don't want you to worry but please contact your doctor as soon as possible. If the eye problems get any worse even consider calling 111 if you are in the UK or going to the ED/A&E. It may well not be - but those symptoms could well be GCA and need to be checked out. Pain in the eyes and blurring MUST be looked into - there are several things that could cause it and most need medical treatment.

Of course it is the weekend - just to complicate things even more!

[SnazzyD]

Do get advice asap. One of my very early symptoms of GCA was waking in the night with one eye not working. The pain on that side came later but there is no set pattern with this. As PMRPro says, there are other eye conditions that need to be ruled out can be equally devastating if not cared for early.

[alvertta]

I have GCA. Was down to 9 from 60 after 21 months. Overnight lost 1/3 sight in right eye. No warning. Get check up please.

[SheffieldJane]

I can only reiterate and reinforce what others have said. These warning signs have to be treated with the utmost urgency. I would be tempted to have an emergency assessment at the hospital. Let us know.

[Telian]

As others have said you need to get checked out urgently.

[S4ndy]

Please get your eyes checked. I had blurred vision which turned out to be shingles in my eye. It's definitely worth getting them checked. My GP sent me to A&E who sent me home and called the next day to say I needed an urgent appointment! Still waiting on that!

I went and saw my optician who was very on the ball. He referred me directly to an eye clinic to see a cornea consultant at a different hospital as soon as he saw what he described as small cracks on my cornea. I was seen the following day!

I've been treated now but there is a small amount of scarring which I have been advised may be permanent. Better to be safe than sorry.