Is it just a flare or something more sinister

[WHL67]

Hi good people I need some expert advice .. I started off back in August on Pred 60 mg and I'm currently on 40 mg, everything seemed to be going ok when 4 days ago I started to get severe pain in the left hand side of the back of my head, travelling down my neck to my shoulder. No jaw pain but I can barely move my neck left or right. I have upped the dose to 10mg the last 2 days but nothing has changed. Have I tapered down to quick and should I increase my dose and go back to 60mg or is this something more sinister. I would be interested if anybody else has experienced this.Thank you for taking time to read this .

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Try giving the extra Pred a bit longer to see if they help - what about your ear that side, does it hurt? Can be affected in GCA - see here -

link.springer.com/epdf/10.1...

But if it’s one sided are you sure it’s not something else - slept awkwardly, been in a draught, wrenched it by lifting something heavy . Maybe try paracetamol and warmth/cold treatment - try the RICE approach -

As soon as possible after an injury, such as a knee or ankle sprain, you can relieve pain and swelling and promote healing and flexibility with RICE—Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Rest and protect the injured or sore area.

But you may need to speak to doctor if it doesn’t improve.

[WHL67 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks Dorset lady.. my ear is fine but as for lifting something heavy, chance would be a fine thing some days I'm to weak to carry a message 😤 Sleeping awkward I wish, overactive bladder means I'm constantly paying a visit to the bathroom.

I think a word with my GP is next step !!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to WHL67]

Yep -agree. Let us know what words of wisdom they come up with.

[WHL67 in reply to DorsetLady]

After seeing two different docs on call over the weekend (one of which was certain that it was NOT shingles), its been confirmed as shingles (that's all I need).!!!! The left hand side of back of my head covered in crustations and scabs, as for the pain I have never experienced that level of pain before, my head felt like it was in a vice just being crushed. Thankfully co-codomol/paracetamol are getting on top of the pain.

What's next? 🤬

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to WHL67]

Oh, flipping heck... have you got anti virals from GP to help? It may be a bit late, but might help a little -

NHS advice -

Antiviral medicines are most effective when taken within 72 hours of your rash appearing, although they may be started up to a week after your rash appears if you are at risk of severe shingles or developing complications.

Hope you soon feel better, plenty of TLC required 🌸

[WHL67 in reply to DorsetLady]

yes thankfully I’ve been put on anti-virals and I think things are starting to settle down 🤞🤞

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to WHL67]

Good...at least they got something correct...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to WHL67]

Ouch, that is rough luck. I hope you know who that OOH GP was - needs a bit of education!

[WHL67 in reply to PMRpro]

I know I couldn’t believe it when she started to disagree with other doc whilst I was still in the room !! Thankfully he was her senior and I received the correct medication !!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to WHL67]

Just as well it wasn't the other way round! What did she think is was?

[WHL67 in reply to PMRpro]

didn’t say as she was too busy googling similar pics on her computer 🫣 I despair !!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to WHL67]

Did you think it was shingles?

[WHL67 in reply to PMRpro]

Most definitely as I've had shingles once before

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to WHL67]

She had some cheek arguing with you then!!! Have you had a shingles jab? Once this is over you should see about getting the Shingrix jab to reduce the risk of more attacks. (NOT the Zostavax one, Shingrix is approved for us to have).

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Sorry - confused! You are at 40mg? And upped the dose BY 10mg (not TO 10mg)?

Where on the neck is the pain? Could it be the sternocleidomastoid muscle? That starts just behind the ear so I'd call it the back of the head and extends to the collarbone - shoulder?

physio-pedia.com/Sternoclei...

is maybe a stiff read but does cover a lot! (Sorry about the irritating voice-over! Do you have to pass and irritating voice test to get these jobs or is it just me?)