GCA and Prednisolone
Posted , 6 users are following.
I am wondering if anyone has had these symptoms. I have been taking Prednisolone since March 2016 for GCA. Had a bad time with side effects and sideffects from Omeprazole and Ranitidine. However, I am now down to 3/4mg Prednisolone on alternate days. About 4 weeks ago I started getting terrible pains at the back of my head, back of neck, top of back, one of the vertebrae in middle of back, thighs, bottom of back and I still have these ongoing pains. Is this a common symptom of reducing Prednisolone? I also have a general feeling of being unwell some days and slight nausea.
0 likes, 8 replies
EileenH Fandango
Posted
No - not from reducing pred I wouldn't think. Not wanting to sound depressing but I do think you should speak to your doctors because if someone quoted those symptoms I would be concerned it could be GCA - the headache is commonly occipital, at the back of the head. BUT - the localisation of pain along your spine could be indicating something else.
EileenH
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Fandango EileenH
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EileenH Fandango
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Guest Fandango
Posted
Did you stay on th the same dose for the last 4 weeks since the pain started? Have you seen your Rheum since then?
I have PMR and the symptoms you describe are familiar to me. It seems to me that you got below the dose your body needs right now and you have to go up with the dose to get it under control again.
Eileen and others have more knowledge and will give you are more detailed response, but give them the information I asked at the top.
All the best!
Michdonn Fandango
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jean12178 Michdonn
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Anhaga Fandango
Posted
I think nausea can be a sign of adrenal insufficiency, which is a temporary condition after being on pred, necessitating a very slow taper even when disease is in remission. It's possible some of the pains could also be a sign, although I don't really know. You definitely need to be checked, sooner rather than later.