How do I know if I have a flare?

[Yorksman]

Not having had a flare before I'm unsure if I now have one.

Was diagnosed with PMR nearly two years ago and slowly reduced to 13mg Pred which I reached three weeks ago with no problems and no increase in symptoms. In the past week I now have increased pain in my shoulders arms and wrists. Also for first time pain and swelling in my thighs and lower legs. In addition I have increased headaches, lack of concentration, lack of energy, lack of motivation again for the first time.

Reading FAQs there's lots of information about flares but not having had one before I'm unsure if my condition is a flare or something else. If it is a flare do I increase my Pred back to 13.5 or higher? The additional symptoms headache, lack of energy etc concern me. Where have they come from and what might they indicate?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Sounds suspiciously like it, maybe have a read if this and follow example, adjusting to your own levels of Pred -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

If you were slightly lower, I might suggest the additional symptoms were adrenal related….they could be of course - but see what happens when you increase,

But do monitor the headaches, always a concern, and a possibility of GCA. If they aren’t helped by higher dose, then please speak to doctor.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

DL has covered it all. To still be at 13mg after 2 years of PMR and reducing is quite a high dose - what did you start at? I think you do have to be wary that maybe the PMR is still very active or that it might be developing into GCA so do check with your doctor as soon as you can.

[Sharitone]

I echo everything DL and PP have said. I had GCA/LVV flare up a year after PMR diagnosis, but in retrospect the. energy levels had been increasing for months before that. The headache started off mild.

I do hope you escape, but if you do develop GCA, then the consolation prize is that there is potentially other medication available to you. Best of luck!

[Lollybygolly]

taking note: I’ve levelled at 10mgs Pred after GCA scare at the beginning of last year. After bronchitis I’m suffering chronic back pain, thigh and hip girdle pain when once my dose kept me pretty active. Added sweats breathlessness and exhaustion from the smallest chore… maybe this is a flare?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Lollybygolly]

Could be, but could also be the beginnings of adrenals struggling. I know we often quote a slightly lower dose of around 8-7mg for that to happen, but for some patients it starts at different levels -some higher, some lower.

Link re flares is above if you need it…

[Lollybygolly in reply to DorsetLady]

thanks Dorsey Lady I appreciate your help today. Feeling so jittery and tired at the same time I’ve now acted to speak with my Doc.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Lollybygolly]

Good - let us know how things go please.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lollybygolly]

As DL says - could be either, but are the symptoms increasing or steady/improving? If things are worsening - almost certainly a flare.