A series of flares

[parsifalwiz]

I was first diagnosed with PMR at the end of 2018 after a very stressful journey to Australia, and since then I have managed to reduce to 3.5 mg of prednisone. I started to taper slowly to 3mg and then to 2.5mg and I had a flare. I needed to go back up to 5mg to control the pain in my neck and shoulder. Then a month ago it seemed as if the PMR was attacking my neck and shoulder and I had to go up another 1mg to 6. Then last week I had a severe pain in my head and feared it might be GCA. The pain wasn't continuous, but came and went. It was on the right hand side, and strangely I realised that it worsened each time I blinked my right eye, paracetamol didn't touch it. I increased my pred. to 3mg going to bed and 4mg in the morning. Over the next few days the pain became more intermittent and then stopped, and I have been clear of pain for the last four days. I am hesitant to start tapering again. I have a great GP and I have booked an appointment in ten days time. What should I do next. I am 85.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I don't think I would taper before seeing the GP - is there no chance of seeing them sooner?

[parsifalwiz in reply to PMRpro]

No, and I don't want to see anyone else.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

As PMRpro has said, stay on 7mg... and try and bring appointment forward.. stating you think it might be GCA and requires a quicker response.

[parsifalwiz in reply to DorsetLady]

Since the headaches have stopped and I have not had any other GCA symptoms, I am questioning my first thoughts and wondering if this has been sparked off by driving for four hours in busy traffic before the pain first appeared?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to parsifalwiz]

wondering if this has been sparked off by driving for four hours in busy traffic before the pain first appeared?

Well that certainly wouldn't have helped..😲.. try not to repeat too often..

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to parsifalwiz]

More than likely!!!

[parsifalwiz in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your responses. I now feel more comfortable waiting for my appointment, and I will report back afterwards.