Blurred vision in left eye and feeling muzzy...

[Hopingsail]

Hi Everyone,

Haven't posted for advice/help for a while as things seemed to be going quite well on DL's slow taper: reduced from 15mg to 12 OK and now 3 weeks into 12 - 11.

Last week I had a few days sailing and on Thursday took a moderate blow on left temple from the yacht's boom (due to inattention whilst fishing...). I had a slight headache which passed with a couple of paracetamol, the bruise is till there and feels a bit tender.

This Tuesday I got a call to go for a Flu jab which I did - not really thinking about the 1.5 hrs I was expecting in the dentist chair yesterday morning! I felt really wobbly afterwards - shaky and stiff-necked but that passed as the afternoon wore on (and the anaesthetic wore off perhaps). I took 11mg as was due at 2am this morning.

Today I feel quite muzzy headed and vision in left eye is a bit blurred. Should I up my Pred for a few days, and by how much? (I am terrified of developing GCA as I live alone - my wife is in a care home with Alzheimers and a month ago I got a wheelchair accessible car to get her out and about which has been a boon for us both).

Regards to all.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Oh crikey... a combination of unsettling events no doubt causing a flare...usual advise is raise dose by 5mg from last dose okay (would go for 12mg) so up to 17mg (although you may get away with 15mg...really depends how bad it is) for 7-10 days.

Provided that sorts things, then you should be okay to drop back down to 12mg (maybe if you needed 17mg then in 2 stages, staying on 15mg for a few days, maybe a week) - then restart your tapering after you've established 12mg is okay.

But as you've hit your head it might be wise to get it checked out.

[SnazzyD]

I’d get that looked at ASAP. The reason being that just because you were ok (ish) after the bump things may have developed, it does happen. You also need to know if this is the bump or possible GCA.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I have to say I would be much happier if I thought you'd been checked out properly after bashing your head!! Just in case - humour me and head for A&E

[Nextoneplease]

Hi HopingsailI agree with other posters - get yourself checked out - most likely at A &E.

I hope to read later that you got checked and that all is well 😊x

[Hopingsail]

Hi Kind People! I phoned GP at 5pm - asked me to see her straightaway. Good examination - then she had long conversation with A&E and then Duty Opthalmic who got me in straight away as well!A friend drove me in to see the latter who was charming and thorough - very switched on to PMRGCA. Sent bloods for swift analysis and they all came back perfect. Eye exam all good. BP up a bit but not wild.

Verdict seems to be that the head trauma etc may have caused a bit of upset - unlikely GCA but COME IN STRAIGHT AWAY if you feel you should. But they all expressed some suspicion re potential TIA so I’ve been referred to TIA Clinic (Bad stroke and heart history in family as it happens).

Anyhow I feel easier in myself tonight - thank you for encouraging me to seek help. I might not have done so otherwise…

Xx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hopingsail]

Thank you - I am very relieved!

THAT is how it SHOULD work!

[Hopingsail in reply to PMRpro]

Indeed! I was glad to see the Hospital where I worked for 7 years working so smoothly. But I was glad my GP had arranged for the Opthalmic to meet me in A&E - waiting-room was heaving when I left at 10pm with the sorts of numbers one would have only seen on Friday nights and weekends… and they were the walk-ins. Sobering.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hopingsail]

Yup - every night is Saturday night now! My daughter did a weekend recently where there were 12 hour waits for doctors if you weren't an emergency.

[Canarylady]

Bless youHope you soon get sorted out and you get back to normal.did you catch any fish 🎣?

Take care

Xx

[Hopingsail in reply to Canarylady]

The Solent was full of screaming feeding gulls - so many fish about.

Bass in the pan!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Hopingsail]

Fantastic! Worth it then…

And good news on you..

[Hopingsail in reply to Canarylady]

3 of 15 mackerel!

Fish

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Hopingsail]

When we lived in Outer Hebrides (hubby in HMF) we used to go out on evening fishing trips in the summer - mackerel only used as bait for bigger and better things!

[Canarylady]

Well done you!They look lovely and bet they were tasty too

[Nextoneplease]

Fantastic news 😊 Glad you got checked out so efficiently and the fish look great 😋