GCA, adrenal fatigue, migraine or something else?

[CheshireBooth]

I’ve been doing brilliantly tapering. Got to 3mg without problems. Began a very slow taper to 2- using 3, 3, 2, 3, 3, 2 and now feel rotten. Had headache for about a week, neck pain, all joints ache, stomach problems and fever overnight. How do you tell the difference between GCA, adrenal fatigue, migraine or something else?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

hi,

Would say a combination of too low a dose [very quick taper even if your PMR was the Covid related version which does seem to be a different strain] and adrenals struggling.

But any new headache must be checked.

See this re adrenals -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

..and at such lower doses, you’ll probably find a reduction of only 0.5mg and and a slower taper beneficial -,for disease and adrenals. See this for tried and tested variations -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

If it is caused by too low a dose you may need to follow protocol for flare -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

* all links from FAQs.

But unless you have done something that could account for neck/headache please get it checked out.. and let us know.

[SnazzyD]

You can’t always tell exactly. Did this set of symptoms come on relatively quickly? Your symptoms have some aspects of all of GCA, adrenal insufficiency (not fatigue) and migraine. I’m not sure typical migraine comes with all of them such as fever, joints, aches and gut so it wouldn’t be my first thought. Adrenal insufficiency tends not to cause a fever or acute, specific pains with headache, but that is in my experience. GCA doesn’t tend to come with that pattern either, not the gut.

My first thought is you’ve got a virus. There is a bug around here that features a persistent headache and gut issues with overall feeling rubbish. I’m hearing of Covid again from my dentist who gets data via the amount of cancellations and he’s got it now. Getting a positive test is very hit and miss these days.

[123-go]

I’m sorry you are having problems. I wholeheartedly echo DorsetLady's advice to get those head and neck symptoms checked out as soon as possible. I also feel you have tapered too quickly. PMRpro has a wonderful ‘dripping tap’ analogy that I can’t find right now but someone will hopefully post.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to 123-go]

PMRpro has a wonderful ‘dripping tap’ analogy

Among other places it’s included in my flare or steroid withdrawal post.

[123-go in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you- I should have looked there!🌸

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to 123-go]

No probs… I know it’s there… don’t expect everyone to! 😊

[123-go in reply to DorsetLady]

I did look but in the wrong place 🙄. I’ve just accidentally deleted a reply to someone here: not my day! Haven’t the energy to re—write.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to 123-go]

Happens to us all.. I can assure you.😳

[PMRpro Ambassador]

That is something of a conundrum - the best you can do is stick at a dose where you feel well.

Did the symptoms start as soon as you started to taper? Were they sudden? What you are describing isn't a very slow taper by our standards - especially at this stage. The change in dose is recommended to be not more than 10% - by 5mg that is 1/2mg. You can do 1mg at a time but then you need to spread the change over much more than 3 days for comfort.

If the fever is marked it is less likely to be GCA, it is usually low grade, and neither of the other options tend to cause raised temperature. Like Snazzy, I would be more inclined towards a bug of some sort.

[Cancercrusher]

Thanks ladies,

symptoms started as soon as I started my next step of taper but my symptoms were very different to with symptoms I’ve experienced on previous tapers.

I’m really lucky, my GP is brilliant. I’m booked for a scan tomorrow. Will keep you posted