?Flare up & fear of GCA

[moconnolly]

PMR for 3 years , flare ups in past when tapering. Now down to 3mgs for about a year and stable . Not tapering further at present due to stressful situation but starting to get intermittent pain in both knees and both hands and wrists. No stiffness, so could this be connected to a flare? Also concerned re GCA as lately have experienced pain behind one eye (could this be migraine?) No other GCA symptoms but always worried about the possibility. Advice would be appreciated.

[SnazzyD]

With this stressful situation, has it been associated with extra driving, sitting, standing, activity etc?

Can you describe the eye pain in more detail? Like when, type of pain, how long, do pain killers help much? Have you had this before?

[moconnolly in reply to SnazzyD]

Thanks for response. Have been driving more and also walked up steep hill prior to the knee pain. Normally would have linked that but getting more stabbing intermittent pains in hands for a couple of months made me wonder if flare up was cause. Eye pain there for a while on and off during the day but athough had eye test recently, thought it might be eye strain. Pain not bad enough for pain killers, which I avoid if possible. Paraceutemol rarely works.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Stress will very often lead to a flare - especially as Snazzy says if it is associated with more than usual of various activities.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Could be PMR flaring -maybe try upping dose for a short while as per flare protocol we often suggest -as explained in link

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

I would doubt eye pain is GCA, but when you can you should get it checked out.. do painkillers help?… it could be down to tension/stress.

[moconnolly in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you Dorset Lady, helpful as ever, Have printed out link to consider flare up. Also did check with optician recently re fear of GCA and he at that time put my mind at rest.I did not have eye pain at that time and pain is not bad enough to take medication.

[christine2715]

If you have not done so i would suggest you get your GP to do an ESR CRP blood test which 8f high could point to GCA also an aching in your jaws called claudication