pain on one side and head pain on the other side, is it a flare?

[Mstiles]

I have stiffness and pain in shoulder and neck, worse in the morning, on the left side. Also head pain on the right side occipital and temple area that comes and goes. Not severe. More tinnitus and somewhat blurrier near vision on that side.

Diagnosed with PMR and GCA IN 2018. On 9 mg. pred.

I’m 80 and in the last few months fatigue and gait, pain in muscles and joints has worsened, trying to sort it with several doctors, but the head and neck pain is worrying and I’m wondering if I should increase pred.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[yogabonnie]

I think you should call a doc. ... GCA??? maybe someone who KNOWs will reply soon. Good luck.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

As you have GCA then you do need this to be checked out.. and sooner rather than later. And maybe treat as flare in the meantime - so add 5mg Pred and see if it makes any difference, then you can report that to doctor

[HeronNS]

Like the others I think you should see a doctor as soon as you can - as you know, a GCA flare, if this is what it is, should be attended to asap.

Hope things get sorted out soon and you feell better.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I agree with the others - you need it to be checked for a potential GCA flare, It does sound to me that at 9mg you are at slightly too low a dose and the inflammation is building up again.