Another Prednisone Question…sorry

[Stickgal316]

Diagnosed about a week ago. PA placed me on 40mg pred to decrease to 35 or 30 at my discretion in 4 weeks. Meantime I will make appt with rheumy. This seems high, but because I’ve had some blurred vision and left forehead headaches I am taking it. No huge side effects yet, but just wondering if I should be concerned about the high dose.

[piglette]

Up to 40mg is considered a moderate dose. If you have got GCA the pred is definitely preferable to losing your sight. A lot of people diagnosed with GCA start on 60 to 80mg.

[Stickgal316 in reply to piglette]

Thanks! I am hopeful I don’t. No jaw or scalp pain so far

[123-go]

If your sight problems and headache worsen you must contact your doctor straight away or go to the ER. I see that you are preparing to move house which is exciting but can be very stressful on both mind and body. If you are able to, step back as much as you can and let others take the strain. This is the way to go.

Good luck with everything.

[Stickgal316 in reply to 123-go]

Great advice. Thanks!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

PA is being responsible..and sensible.

I was on considerably higher doses, and although the side effects weren’t particularly nice, as piglette says certainly preferable to sight loss. Been off Pred now for 5 years and not fallen to bits yet!

Hopefully, if no GCA, you will be able to reduce soon….but be sensible about it.

[Stickgal316 in reply to DorsetLady]

I will. Just wanted some reassurance that the dose made sense. I’m going to be at 30-35 in a month and then I think I’m going to try to follow the very slow taper in the forum

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Stickgal316]

Yes it did/does make sense if there’s any possibility of GCA..which hopefully it’s not. Good luck with tapering - but if there’s any relapse - stop and ask! Don’t continue and hope it will go away.

[jinasc]

AS DL says, be sensible about it - no more than 10% at a time.

[thegrayghost]

Hi & thanks I relate to your post and all responding.