I have had PMR for many years started in 2016 I started on 10 mg Pred and have been ok on 3 mg pred for many years I have been suffering from similar symptoms for a few weeks now my doctor has put me on 5 mg pred now but not helping with the pain is it possible that this could be GCA?
Mike
PMR flares up itself - and 5mg is rarely enough to sort it out. Your original starting dose of 10mg was also very low. Our usual suggestion for a flare is to add 5mg to the dose where the flare occurred. That means you would be better trying 8mg since your flare started at 3mg. If that doesn't work, then ask your GP if you can try more, But unless you have symptoms of GCA I wouldn't jump to that sort of conclusion.
Like PMRpro I doubt it’s GCA - more likely a PMR flare maybe in conjunction with adrenals stuttering.
If your symptoms are the same as you describe in your initial reply - dull pain in my hips and my knees and legs feel very weak, then that’s more like PMR than GCA.
You need to add 5mg to existing dose to get a flare under control, not just go to 5mg.
PMRpro has given link for GCA symptoms - so you can see, mainly head issues rather than hips, knees and legs.
Thank you for your prompt answer
What are these head symptoms - GCA or pred?
Reducing Prednisolone GCA - what symptoms to look out for?
Depression from GCA or from prednisone
