Hi- I have asked for advice a couple of times in the past and the advice has always been excellent.
I have had GCA and PMR since April 2019. I upped my pred from 0.5mg to 1mg about 11 days ago because of back ache, stiffness on bending and moving but more than anything a really stiff neck. I had an appointment with my rheumatologist in January when I was on 1mg and had been for some months and questioned whether I should reduce to 0.5mg as I felt all the above symptoms although my neck was not as bad then. He said wear and tear could account for the symptoms as I was 6 years older. He also said wait until spring if you want before reducing. I reduced the next day.
To complicate the situation I injured my shoulder in a fall in August. I realised in November that I didn’t have ease of movement and was given some exercises by my surgery while waiting for a hospital referral which worked. I had my hospital referral in February and was given a new set of exercises involving stretches with elastic. I stopped the exercises and upped the pred to 1mg when my neck became really stiff and uncomfortable.
For the last two weeks I have been feeling completely wiped out even after the smallest task. I also suffer from dizziness which I assume is because of my adrenals. Because of my neck, I can’t do certain tasks. This is the worst I have felt since I was diagnosed. I am usually very busy and have coped well.
I am wondering whether inflammation is present and the exercises I did exacerbated the stiffness in my neck and also were too strenuous.
I have some 5mg tablets left over from when I was on higher doses (expiry date unknown!).
Should I follow the flare protocol and add 5mg to the 1 mg for up to 10 days and then drop to 1mg as I was fine on this dose for quite a few months. I have tried paracetamol and it has no effect on my neck.
Thank you in advance for any responses.
DOM, Flare or pred withdrawal
Is this a flare? And this headache.....?
Am I having a flare?
Am I really expected to drop 9mg?
withdrawal or flare
