Advice needed

[Deneez99]

On my final week of slow taper 1mg to 1/2mg then I am going to do another 5weeks to get me from half to zero.Last Tuesday I woke up fine but by mid morning I started with what felt like a trapped nerve pain in my neck. The pain increased my neck, stiffened and my headache was dreadful. I took pain killers and sat with a heat pad and by tea time it subsided.

I got up on Wednesday morning thinking all was well but the exact same thing happened then again on Thu, Fri, Sat and today.

I have been reading about cluster headaches and cortisol.

Has anyone ever heard of anything like this. I am going to make a doctors appointment tomorrow but I don't have much faith.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Bit left field, but have recently changed bed, mattress or pillows? Or did you do anything a few days prior to the first day it occurred that could account for neck pain?

[Deneez99 in reply to DorsetLady]

Have changed my pillow and I really think we need a new mattress so won't adjust my steroid dose just yet.

[piglette]

If the pain killers are working, it may not be the PMR but some other problem.

[Grammy80]

Have you had any blood tests recently to check your ESR and CRP? Long before I was ever diagnosed with GCA I used to get terrible pains in my neck, up my neck and then throughout my head. I don't want to frighten you, but better to get it checked and 'nip it in the bud'. It would give you peace of mind. 💞

[Steal]

I had been diagnosed with PMR about 2 months before I woke with stiff painful neck and appalling headache which wore off by midday but left me feeling ill and exhausted. GP consulted rheumatologist, outcome was that I was swiftly diagnosed GCA and put on 60 mg pred.I do hope this will not be the outcome for you but thought it might be safest to mention it.

All the very best for your better health.