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GCA Head Sweats

Posted , 6 users are following.

somersetsue
somersetsue

Hi, I was diagnosed with GCA in May, put on 60mg predisone for a month, then 40mg for two weeks, now reducing 5mg every two weeks. Currently on 35mg. I am getting awful head sweats, does anyone know if this is likely to be the steroids? I also have Alopecia so wear a wig but get the sweats when not wearing it too. A welcome side effect from the steroids is that my hair is growing back, I hope it doesn't fall out again when I stop the steroids!

Any info re. head sweats would be appreciated.

Thanks

Sue

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Xxxxxtttttttttt
    Xxxxxtttttttttt somersetsue

    Posted

    I have terrible head sweatstoo but I have no diangnosise yet, it pours from my head and I have not started steroids. I have been told I have fibromyalgia, just looking into possibility of pmr. It is embarrassing when it happens during the day. When I do dishes it pours and drips into my eyes. When i am sleeping my pillow is saturated. Doc says possibly menopause related, tho that has not been confirmed for me either. I am 46 and take a lot of pain relief
  • EileenH
    EileenH somersetsue

    Posted

    It hasn't been too bad for me but I do know that quite a few people have experienced it whilst on the higher pred doses. Sweats are also common with GCA so it could be either. 

    Try sleeping with a towel over your pillow? And iced towels like they use during tennis matches maybe?

  • mrs_k
    mrs_k somersetsue

    Posted

    I had taken HRT (Premarin) for a long time before I encountered GCA.

    The headsweats increased so the GP upped the premarin, they reduced quite a bit, but when I got down to the lower doses (and that took quite a while) the frequency became less.

    I slept with a towel on the pillow and a spare by the bedside.

     

  • mrs_k
    mrs_k somersetsue

    Posted

    Meant to add

    Extract of Sage also helped quite a bit. 

    • somersetsue
      somersetsue mrs_k

      Posted

      I take sage for hot flushes and they have been effective over the years. A combination of hot weather and the steroids are probably the likely cause, just need to tell myself to 'get on with it!' smile
  • kathy67492
    kathy67492 somersetsue

    Posted

    Hi, I have had PMR since March. The sweats are similar to menopause, but these are on my head and neck only. They have gone away when I have been on 10 mg of prednisone for at least 3 weeks....but they come back whenever I have tried to reduce.

    No doubt, for me the sweats are related to the prednisone dose....but the pain is gone...just have the fatigue. Hooe this info helps!

  • marilyn46889
    marilyn46889 somersetsue

    Posted

    Hi Sue,

    I think sweats are one of the symptoms of GCA. You just happen to get it on your head. 

    I don't think it's anything to do with steroids.  My husband has GCA and gets the sweats on his torso.  Now he's being treated it's getting better.

    Hope you feel better soon.  

    • somersetsue
      somersetsue marilyn46889

      Posted

      I'm getting a bit worried as when this all kicked off,it started with a temperature raised as little as 1degree, going on 60mg steroids got my ESR and CRP levels down to nearly normal, I'm now on 35mg and notice today I have a raised temperature again, going on  holiday Wednesday so away from the medics, mind you I do have my GP email address, just wondering why the temprerature again and surelty the pred should have stopped the head sweats by now?
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