anxiety

[834527]

I was diagnosed with PMR 3 months ago. My starting dose of Pred was 20mg which caused my blood pressure to go up.

Since then I have been taking 7.5mg and following an anti inflammatory diet and my inflammation is now normal and pain under control.

Lately I have been experiencing slight headaches and little pain in my jaws. The doctor has increased my anxiety medication given me a supply of diazepam and advised me to start tapering my steroids.

I am terrified of developing GCA so maybe anxiety is my problem. Just thought that I would ask your advise.

Many thanks

[SnazzyD]

Can you say a little more about your headaches and jaw pain? What makes it worse, what makes it better, when it happens and for how long. Does Paracetamol help?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Are you saying you have gone from 20mg to 7,5mg within 3 months? Or is that a typo and you mean 17.5mg?

Not sure that anxiety meds are going to help headaches and jaw pain… and as requested a bit more information would help…

[834527 in reply to DorsetLady]

Originally prescribed 20mg but after one dose my blood pressure went wild. Next I was given 5mg and 7.5mg and advised to find a dose which suited me.

I have been taking 7.5mg since which has worked well and combined with watching my diet has reduced my inflammation to normal.

I am concerned that I have vague headaches and jaw discomfort my question is if my inflammation is normal could I still develop GCA? Or is it my anxiety (as my Doctor seems to think)

Many thanks

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to 834527]

It is possible to develop GCA even if inflammation markers are raised -it’s rare but not unheard.

Headaches could be tension caused by anxiety -and both that and jaw pain caused by TMD-

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

But as asked by SnazzyD you need to explain more about the jaw pain- is it there all the time ? On eating but then stops when you stop chewing? See this-

sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/...

Are headaches and jaw pain helped by painkillers?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

We do need more information to help really - but if you tell us about the headaches and jaw pain, we will try to help calm your nerves.

I will say though that just because BP rises with pred, that doesn't mean you cut the pred dose to a level that may not clear out existing inflammation - you use BP meds for as long as it is required. Did your BP return to normal after lowering the pred dose?

[834527 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your reply. Yes my BP is now down to normal and I am on 7mg of pred. I think it’s just my anxiety that’s the problem. Thank you again

[Missus835]

That's a big drop in Pred after just 3 months, but if it's working, good. I also have jaw pain, randomly. This was diagnosed by my dentist as acute TMD and I have to wear a bite guard. I also have anxiety disorder and the clonazepam does help to relax the back muscles. As I have a lot going on in addition to "just" PMR, my anxiety levels are on the increase, but doctors here are loathe to increase the meds, even by .5mg, and even though it helps with back muscles. Currently on .5mg once a day. I would suggest you get to the bottom of what's causing the jaw pain, whether the diazepam helps or not. All the best to you.

[834527 in reply to Missus835]

yes I have a lot of stress in my life, property on the market etc. I have an appointment in the new year with the dentist and also GP . In the meantime taking the pills.

Thank you for your advise