Temple Headaches

[RaisinBran]

Im sorry, this is a repeat intro from a few days ago. I have been tapering 1/4mg every 3-4 weeks from 8mg. I'm having difficulty adjusting to the 3 1/2 mg that I have been currently on for the past 22 days. Shoulder pain, neck pain, fatigue etc. I am ready to increase my dose to 8mg and hopefully start to feel better. I guess it takes awhile for me learn that I just cant rush this. I have been on Prednisone since 2018 and have rushed the tapering to zero, only to realize-It didn't help, and here I am again. PMR Pro already warned me about yo yoing.

For the very first time, I developed temple pain and headache. It started yesterday and it has me worried. I have been taking 1000mg of Tylenol every 6 hours and that seems to take the edge off a bit. Any suggestions from the forum would be greatly appreciated. I plan to call my Rheumy on Monday, but he is the one that was pushing me to get to 3mg, by this past October. Is there anything I can do now that would help relieve the headaches? Thank you

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Is there anything I can do now that would help relieve the headaches?

Obvious answer is to take more Pred….I’d treat it as a flare - so until you can speak to Rheumy on Monday, go up to 8mg [which would be in keeping with usual advice]. However, 10mg might be preferable.

[RaisinBran in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you for the quick response DL

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I'd have said the same - but I think your rheumy needs to consider that it is POSSIBLE that your GCA is still active and you still need enough pred to manage it. The headache may be due to something else - but he shouldn't be risking it. Do you have any other symptoms? Do you feel unwell, feverish?