Re my painful jaw

[Lacelady]

I have an update on my jaw pain and my conversation with the doctor. He gave me one box of 5mg pred assuming I was going to take one a day. I felt that wasn’t enough for GCA so have taken 15mg this morning. Was I right or should I take more?

I am going to have to contact them again to get more very soon which seems to be a struggle.

My Inflamiitory markers came back as 40 so high

I have considered ringing 111 to see if they have any advise but they usually send you to A&E

I still don’t have a headache or sensitive scalp.

Thank you in anticipation

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Have replied to other thread -

To be honest, I can’t say whether an extra 15mg will be high enough IF It is GCA.

However, as an ex GCA patient if it is that, then I would want more.. but as you say I’m not medically trained -and we are not allowed to give medical advice-which is why I suggested contacting nhs111.

So please ring them -explain situation and say you’ve read the information from the charity (not just the internet) -and would like their input as to what you should do.

Has the increase made any difference? I know it’s very early day.. That’s probably an indicator..

Further comment re this - now you have readings there is something amiss - so ring 111 and explain you don’t need to go to A&E as they will only repeat blood tests - you just need to know if you should increase Pred - and to what dose.

[hill-walker]

As a fellow GCA woman whose main presenting symptom was jaw pain my advice is to get immediate competent care if possible. My rheum said jaw pain symptom is an indicator of greater likelihood of vision disturbances, so is quite serious. I wish you the best on your journey.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to hill-walker]

See this reply in previous thread -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Lacelady in reply to hill-walker]

Thank you for your advice as you will see from my recent post I have rung 111 and have had my pred increased so I am hoping that will cover it. If not I will hot foot it to A&E.

I see you are a fellow hill walker , unfortunately my days of walking the hills are about over now but still walk the valleys.

[hill-walker in reply to Lacelady]

Glad to know your GCA is being addressed, Lacelady. I'm not much good on the hills these days either, but maybe we can return to them in the future. At least we're still walking! And valleys can be so beautiful.

[bluecheck]

I have GCA and had jaw pain with scalp tenderness and headache at the temples, and was put on 60mg to start and symptoms were better within hours, then went on 40mg after a few weeks.

[Lacelady in reply to bluecheck]

I know they now start on 60mg but the doctor decided 40 would be alright. I am waiting for my surgery to get back after his email to them to see what they think. Thank you for replying it is good of you.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Lacelady]

They don’t always start on 60mg -usual dose is 40mg unless there are sight disturbances then they go for 60mg -or above!

[Lacelady in reply to DorsetLady]

That is interesting. It was the doctor that said they usually start on 60 mg As you said it does depend on the symptoms.

Thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lacelady]

Visual symptoms and jaw pain are the primary reasons for 60mg, otherwise, 40mg.

[Lacelady in reply to PMRpro]

Is see Thank you