Would like your advice please, ?increase Pred

I was diagnosed with GCA in July 2021, but it wasn’t confirmed, partly due to the fact that I have a problem with my neck which requires denervation and my rheumatologist thought this could be the problem. However, she put me on 60mg of Pred, I got down to 12 a couple of weeks ago but felt so bad, as PMR has now become apparent, that I am now on 20mg.

This morning I woke with a severe headache particularly across the back of my head, bilateral temple pain and slight visual disturbance just on the edge of my vision on left side. It only lasted for a few minutes and the headache has subsided a bit with paracetamol.

Do you think I should increase Pred until I can speak to nurse advice line tomorrow?

Thank you so much.

This forum is a godsend x

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Might be worth taking another 10mg or 20mg now as a precaution, ..until you manage to get advice. You can go back to 20mg tomorrow or day after without causing an issue.

[Hidden in reply to DorsetLady]

thank you DorsetLady I’ll do that

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

I agree with DL

[piglette]

I should particularly mention the headache and eye problems and ask about GCA too when you talk to the nurse.

[Hidden in reply to piglette]

Will do, thank you

[jinasc]

The GCA symptoms are more important than the PMR. So take the time to write everything you want to say, starting with the GCA.

Writing it down means you do not get distracted or thrown off track in the conversation which is not face to face. Me, I did it even though it was face to face. Ticked them off as I went along.

[Hidden in reply to jinasc]

Good idea thanks