arthritis or GCA symptoms

[scooby96]

hello all, hope you had a good Easter . I’ve been taking 20mg prednisone for 3 weeks for PMR which has really helped but I still have bad neck pain, headache to forehead and top of head. Ache pain at jaw site below ears. Chewing and vision ok. Still having occasional mild night sweats. Your advice would be much appreciated

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Have you tried ordinary painkiller just to see if they make any difference?

If not, then please do. That should give an indication of whether it’s PMR/GCA related or not.

As you mention Arthritis in title, have you been diagnosed with that?

Could be a TMJ issue, but could be lots of things.

[scooby96 in reply to DorsetLady]

hi, no but my neck crackles when I move it so think that is arthritis symptom? Ive taken a couple of paracetamol which didn't do anything

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to scooby96]

Might need to take paracetamol for a day or two - rather than just a couple.

Maybe have a look at this link re TMJ/TMD

webmd.com/oral-health/tempo...

But if paracetamol doesn’t work or you don’t think it’s TMD issue you need to consider upping Pred …so speak to GP.. there are some symptoms there that could be GCA .

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Have you discussed it with your doctor? Despite the lack of pain on chewing I think you do have to consider it COULD be GCA lurking. Although if you have tight upper back and neck muscles that could be the culprit for the headache and neck pain.

[scooby96 in reply to PMRpro]

Hi, couldn’t get a face to face appt for a couple of weeks and I’m on holiday next week. I’ve managed to get a phone consult for this afternoon

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to scooby96]

Wouldn't do to be really ill would it!!!

[scooby96 in reply to PMRpro]

Hi again, spoke to a GP who has suggested I increase the prednisone to 30mg, stop the Alendronic acid and see how I go. Are there more side effects to higher dose? Haven't been on 30 mg before

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to scooby96]

There are more side effects but if this is PMR sometimes it does take 30mg to get things cleared out. I did think about suggesting that - and since the GP is suggesting it, I would try that.

I do wish they wouldn't start more than one drug at a time - your bones won't collapse for want of a few weeks on AA and you would have had a clearer view of what pred was doing for you. Did you start anything else at the same time as the pred?

[scooby96]

was already on ramipril and started on amlodopine just before the prednisone . I did wait and didn't start the AA till 2nd week on your advice. Think Gp not really sure what to suggest she spent a long time reading guidelines but I think this is a way forward to see if extra prednisone helps and if not after a week she said to reduce back down to 25mg and then again back to 20mg

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to scooby96]

Hopefully you won’t get too many side effect as you’re only on higher doses for short period…. But do keep a diary of all things on the different doses… good and bad.

[scooby96 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks yes I will do. Although gp said if 30mg works well to stay on it until end April so I’ll see how I get on

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to scooby96]

Okay..

[Numptybrain]

Hi I have osteoarthritis and osteoporosis also going through getting a diagnosis for a connective tissue disease which is difficult when you already have osteoarthritis. I get terrible night and day sweats, headaches back but now frontal ( which is new) TMJhad for a while a feeling of burning in my joints but no swelling ( new) neck pain on laying down (new) falls on which I can’t stop myself as if my muscles are weak. I also have bilateral pleural effusion and pericarditis hence why connective tissue connection as respiratory are saying inflammation is the cause Serositis. Hope you are easier to diagnose than me.

Good luck

Wendy x

[scooby96 in reply to Numptybrain]

Hi, thanks for the reply, that is a lot for you to cope with! I hope you have some support at home and that you get the diagnosis you need soon. Its not easy having to wait for appointments even just to speak to someone. Take care Anne