On a number of occasions now, I've had tender temples on one side of my head (this evening included). The veins (or is it an artery?) in that area feel swollen compared to the other side. When I first had this I contacted rheumatology who put me on 60mg pred as a precaution. Subsequent ultrasound was negative and I was ok after dropping to 15mg pretty quickly. I'm now on 12.5mg and the first time I got sore temples on that dose I decided to take an extra 5mg and the next day it had subsided. Rheumatology said it must have therefore been a pmr flare as 17.5mg wouldn't help GCA.
I didn't realise that pmr could cause swollen/tender temples. I assumed it was always indicative of GCA.
I just wondered what you all thought about this?
By the way, I know you're not supposed to use pred like this but, as I've become paranoid about GCA I've just taken an extra 5mg. Hopefully it will do the trick.
Just been diagnosed with GCA - some help please
Tenderness over parts of scalp and over the temple but no headaches is this normal with PR? 
Is it GCA or not that is the question 
Pain an tenderness on top ofhead
Well I do know other rheumatologists who think that 15mg can be enough - the reason they use such high doses is because of the high risk to vision and to get the inflammation down very quickly. But if it is in the early stages there is no reason at all why 17.5mg wouldn't do the job.
The sore temples bit with PMR symptoms would almost always lead to a GCA suspicion/diagnosis. If it is GCA it would be a swollen artery you can see - where is it?
Thank you for the prompt response. It is on the side of my head, about a cm higher than my eye.
That is a suspicious position - sort of along the side of specs if you wear them?
Exactly.
Would agree with PMRpro - don’t think Rheumy Dept can dismiss GCA with only a small increase without actually seeing it.
They did see me the first time, but that was after being on 60mg for two days, by which time it was normal.