GCA starting again?

[Susanmod]

Started with GCA 2016, had a couple of flares but got down to 3 mg. Then a couple of years after that started with PMR up with the steroids. Had a couple of flares, arthritis too now in knees and shoulders. About 3 years ago started with vertigo which hasn’t been bad. For two days have had really bad headache, yesterday dizzy with it. Taken paracetamol not doing much to help. Currently on 1/4 to 1/2 Prednisolone as was trying to get off it. Could I be getting the GCA back! Don’t know what to do? Do I need a blood test, should I take more steroids till I can see dr? Help! Xxx

[piglette]

I think if I were getting headaches and you have had GCA, I might think about getting medical help. How bad are the headaches?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Two years ago you asked a very similar question when at 2 or 3mg …. Re headaches and dizziness anyway… so what happened then? You didn’t respond with any feedback…

Does this feel the same? What’s happen between them and nor dose wise, symptoms wise etc?

Could well be adrenals - certainly the dizziness - but you do need medical input.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Seek medical advice as soon as possible. It COULD be GCA but impossible for us to tell.

[SnazzyD]

Did you get dizziness before and is the headache the same as before with GCA? It’s best to get it checked in any case.

There is a virus about that causes headache and dizziness, at least here locally and we had it last week. I’ve had a lot of it since Covid but find the Epley manoeuvre really effective. You can do it at home and it realigns the crystals in the balance area of the middle ear. Sounds all candles and rocks but it is actually a physiological thing; I was talking to a clinician about it in the tinnitus dept yesterday.

youtu.be/qoJnKt7Tmf0?featur...(Not working as expected?)

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

One of the GPs on "GPs Behind Closed Doors" the other night was demonstrating it in full, showing the guy how to do it alone at home, not as easy but do-able. Really interesting.

[SheffieldJane]

You need to see a doctor urgently. If this is a return of GCA you know that time is of the essence. If there is no faster way ( eg GP urgent referral to a Rheumatologist, seeing if your previous one - if you had one, can fit you in. Seeing an Opthalmologist as an emergency patient) I would go to A&E. Good luck!

[Mlangston]

Really sorry I can't help you with this as luckily for me I don't have any experience of GCA. Hope you manage to overcome it. Best wishes