GCA/PMR and spa treatments

[Buchanan16]

As some of you may know my mum was diagnosed last March with GCA and since then has successfully tapered to 9mg using DL 5 week taper with no flares so far.She has had ups and downs over the past year but at the moment she is looking and feeling well which we hope continues.

My question is with regards to getting massage while on steroids and while having GCA/PMR as my mum got a spa voucher for my sister and I and herself at Christmas. The SPA are aware my mums on long term steroids but I am still a bit concerned about what treatments it's safe for my mum to get. I did mention it to our ophthalmologist at her last visit and he said she was okay to get a facial buy wanted to ask you lovely people on here. The treatments available are Holistic Taster Facial(not quite sure what that is) an oriental head massage a collagen eye treatment and a foot and leg massage.

I'm just very wary of getting anything that could trigger a flare given we have come so fat but on the other hand maybe a nice facial would be beneficial?

Her skin is very thin and fragile and she bruises or tears it every time she bumps into anything so as much as she would love foot and leg one would it make things worse?

Any advice or if anyone has had any experience of any of these therapies would be greatly appreciated.

Thanking you all in advance.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Very much depends on how delicate her skin is on her shins I think with regard to massage. Is the skin currently actually broken? As for the other things - never had any of them so really don't know.

[Buchanan16 in reply to PMRpro]

Her legs are actually really good just now the bruises and cuts are generally more on her arms.Ive never had any of those treatments either ive just got this probably irrational fear that them doing a head massage (which my mum wld abs love ) or any kind of eye treatment could make things worse for her which is prob ridiculous as the worst has already happened.

I am a natural worrier about everything though which doesn't always help.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Buchanan16]

Not sure I can identify any reason why a head massage would wake up GCA again. Nor the collagen eye treatment - though one spa does warn it may not be suitable if you have received treatment for a serious condition such as cancer in the last 5 years and should be discussed with the therapist. I am wearing my sceptics cap at the moment ...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

As PMRpro says, think it needs to be discussed more fully with therapist f2f - and presuming Spa voucher is a 'catch all', I'd be looking for something really gentle...

[Buchanan16 in reply to DorsetLady]

We are going tomorrow and ile be in with my mum so I will discuss with therapist though I'm not sure they will know anything about GCA as its hard enough finding a gp who does. She is so looking forward to it to and as long as it wouldn't waken up the GCA ile make sure whatever she gets is extremely gentle as I certainly wldnt want her going for a relaxing afternoon only to come away covered in bruises.I think a gentle facial and maybe a foot massage might be best way to go and im sure she will also enjoy the lunch and a glass of fizz afterwards just as much.

Thank you for replying.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Buchanan16]

Sounds a good idea-and yes sure she’ll enjoy the overall experience…

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

I'd particularly enjoy the bubbles ...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Me too!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

Maybe a couple of bottles to take home instead of a massage ...

[Buchanan16 in reply to PMRpro]

Haha maybe not the prices these hotels charge for a bottle of prosecco lol.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Buchanan16]

Even so, I bet it doesn't add up to the price of a massage if spa day prices are anything to go by!

[Buchanan16 in reply to PMRpro]

Very true.