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Posted , 8 users are following.

anne28129
anne28129

I’ve been told I need to go from 7mg of steroids to 30mg as I have had a flair up  with bad headache and jaw pain! The doctor is sending me for blood test tomorrow but says I need to up the steroids, just in case!! 

Is my doctor over reacting of should I follow her suggestions?

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • r.d.s26296
    r.d.s26296 anne28129

    Posted

    Your Doctor is being cautious and not taking any chances with your well being. 

    Through the blood test the doctor can get the full picture of your situation  Anne...

    Stay strong. 

    👍

    • anne28129
      anne28129 r.d.s26296

      Posted

      Thanks! I’m really worried! My blood pressure is through the roof!!
  • Elijo
    Elijo anne28129

    Posted

     I agree that the doctor is being cautious,good thing, but I do not think it is always the best thing to rely on the results; mine were never very high  Of course if a really high number shows, then it would help the dx.   DMy opinion from past experience.

  • Anhaga
    Anhaga anne28129

    Posted

    I think your doctor is wise to be treating your returning GCA symptoms seriously.  Whether your inflammatory markers are raised or not you will still need to be cautious as you taper again.  Please don't taper at all until those symptoms are securely under control again.  Eyesight is precious.

    All the best.

  • nick67069
    nick67069 anne28129

    Posted

    I understand your concern, but the risk of GCA  returning is too high not to take it seriously. If untreated, you may lose your sight permanently. Also, as others have mentioned, your blood test may not show increased inflammation markers because you are on steroids, but SYMPTOMS are more important. Listen to your doctor, and take higher dose of pred until your symptoms are under control. As some  pointed out, if you are on increased dose only for a few days (~week or so), then you can drop back to lower dose directly.  Considering that you have reduced your pred very quickly, 7 mg most likely is too low and you may settle for higher dose for while that would manage your symptoms better. Not sure what that would be, you would have to think about the last dose that managed your GCA properly ( ~10mg or so).
  • r.d.s26296
    r.d.s26296 anne28129

    Posted

    Are you drinking enough fluids?.  

    You also could be dehydrated, which can cause crippling headaches and body pains....

    Are you taking any other medications...

    just an afterthought..

     

  • EileenH
    EileenH anne28129

    Posted

    I've replied in detail on your other thread - but I'll just say here and now - no, your doctor is not overreacting. If it is a flare and is left you run the risk of a full blown flare, as bad as it was at the start. Symptoms always trump blood results - many people's ESR/CRP don't rise while they are on even a relatively low dose of pred. Flares/relapses are common in the first 18 months of GCA, especially when the starting dose was relatively low (40mg is the bottom of the range) and the taper to low doses (under 20mg) relatively fast as yours has been. You may find that having cleared it out now you can manage at 10mg afterwards - which is far better than straing over again.

    • EileenH
      EileenH

      Posted

      starting over again!!!! Oh for an edit....
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