can stress anxiety cause a flare up?

[Daughters2]

mum diagnosed GCA 4 years ago totally blind due to doctor negligence and in the meantime we’ve dealt with her having lung cancer (2 years ago) the lung cancer has reared its ugly head got results from CT scan last week a week before the results she was complaining of headache so I contacted her rheumatologist who is amazing and she said to increase to 4mg but since results meeting she’s saying she’s still got headache

Was wondering if the anxiety can being on a flare and she should go up to 5mg xx

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Sorry to hear about your mum's reoccurrence of cancer as if she doesn't have enough on her plate...and yes stress is one of the major reasons for a flare.

Would suggest she follows the advice in this link re a flare - not sure what dose she was/is on when Rheumy said up to 4mg, but use that as base - and then drop back down to just above it.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Obviously if she still has a headache after that, then you need to speak to rheumy again.. But it may not be GCA, it might be caused by tension [and no wonder] - but I guess she can explain the difference..

[Daughters2 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you so much xx

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I'm so sorry to hear your mum's medical woes. Not easy at all for either of you to deal with - and why couldn't it wait until after Christmas.

DL has addressed the headache in the context of a flare. However- I do need to address the elephant in the room as well: if the lung cancer has returned, is it the primary that has returned or are there secondaries? Unfortunately, a common site for lung secondaries is the brain so the headache also needs to be reported to the oncology team, just in case.

If it is a flare - it may need more than just 5mg to calm it down.

[Daughters2 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you yes. You’re spot on that is a possibility and why she panicked when we received written confirmation from scan results on Tuesday It was mentioned before that it can spread to the brain but oncologist said there was no sign of cancer anywhere else. They are sending her for a scan ( awaiting appointment) and given her codeine to take when needed. However we’ve upped her pred from today think my sister has done it for 8mg. Which is double what she recently went up to - she had gone to 3mg which is when the headache started so will see how she gets on and I’ll keep you updated. Really appreciate your help x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Daughters2]

Let's face it, she isn't a well bunny is she? And if a bit more pred makes her feel better, use it. They won't be worrying about weight gain with pred so if she eats a few more mince pies, all the better..

Have the best Christmas you can under the circumstances - the waiting will be the worst bit,

[Merryfield]

Sue the doctor. Personal injury attorneys often work on commission here.

[Daughters2 in reply to Merryfield]

We are doing x taken almost 4 years and it’s almost finalised even though Doc has admitted negligence. Just want her to live long enough to spend it! X

[Merryfield]

Yes, fab.