Can I increase pred for a couple of days

[Reddev]

I was diagnosed with GCA in 2018. I was off prednisolone for three weeks but had to restart because PMR returned. Started on 5 mgs but had jaw claudication and low grade headache. Went up to 10mgs. Which seemed to help. I’m now in 7.5 mgs and having loud tinnitus and low grade headaches. No jaw claudication. Could I try 10mgs for say three days and then return to 7.5 mgs again. Don’t want to call doctor yet. I thought I could try this to see if it was my GCA. Thank you.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Why don’t you want to call doctor?

If you think it’s GCA, and that’s quite likely, as only diagnosed in 2018, then you need to take a higher amount than 10mg.

Just because you haven’t did have jaw claudication as severely at 10mg as you did at 5mg doesn't mean it’s gone...and your other symptoms are suspiciously like GCA.

Please don’t think you can sort this out with minor increases, it needs to be checked and treated (if it is GCA) with an appropriate dose.

Please contact doctor, and get it checked...if it isn’t GCA fair enough.

[Reddev in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you. I’ll ring in the morning and I’ll also book a blood test.

[Reddev in reply to DorsetLady]

Once I had restarted the prednisolone again (because of PMR) should I have gone on 15 mgs ??instead of 5. My doctors don’t seem to be of much help and it was me who suggested 5mgs and they just said yes ok. Maybe if I’d been sensible I should have gone to a higher dose. Silly me. I can’t bare the thought of having to start on a high dose and go through all the months of reducing again. 🥱😔

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Reddev]

You did what you thought was best, but GCA cannot be tiptoed around...15mg would have been better - but that's hindsight, which as we all know is fantastic!Please let us know outcome of call to doctor.

[Reddev in reply to DorsetLady]

Have phoned the doctor she would like me to go up to 40mgs of pred. I will tomorrow after my blood test. Not very happy but if it’s going to save my sight needs must. If blood test ok she says I can go back to my old dose. I will wait and see what the blood test say and even if normal will judge how I’m feeling before reducing. Thank you.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Reddev]

Good, the right approach, even though you might not like it! As I know, if you read my profile, protecting sight is paramount.As for dropping back down, suggest 10mg might be appropriate.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Reddev]

Excellent - even if you don't like it. Better safe than sorry.

[Seawife in reply to Reddev]

It took me many tries at the lower doses before I could completely come off. A temporary doctor at our surgery who had been working Temporarily, said her consultant recommended going up a dose but then doing one dose at the higher level and the next day at the lower level since PMR love steroids and fights hard not to come off. This was an aside from the doctor but it worked for me it might be worth a try

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Seawife]

Should have followed one of the slow tapers we talk about on here....Not sure “since PMR love steroids and fights hard not to come off” is strictly accurate.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I would be calling the doctor - not least because it is close to end of the week ...

DL has said it all.

[Reddev in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. I will the doctor.