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PMR,Iritis and Neuralgia

Posted , 9 users are following.

barbara73592
barbara73592

Hello,

i have had PMR for two years now and like most of you have had the yo yo experience of tapering.

I am currently tapering from 9 1/2 mg on the dsns method and doing not too badly at the moment PMR wise. I have had iritis for 40 years since I was 29 and since being on the Prednisolone for PMR have found that the bouts of iritis have reduced somewhat. However I am experiencing a flare of iritis at the moment which is annoying but this time I have some facial pain/neuralgia around the cheekbone.  Some eye discomfort too which I am treating with the usual pred 40 drops prescribed for the eye. My question is do any other sufferers experience this neuralgia. ( No headache or jaw ache etc ,just the cheekbone spreading to one side of nose)

Regards,

Barbara

2 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • EileenH
    EileenH barbara73592

    Posted

    Are they sure it is PMR and not a spondyloarthropathy? Just wondering since uveitis/iritis is a feature of the spondyloarthropathies and it is not uncommon for them to get confused in diagnosis.
    • barbara73592
      barbara73592 EileenH

      Posted

      Definitely do have PMR Eileen but the other condition you mention might be a possibility as well. Seeing doctor on Tuesday. Will run it past him. The iritis I have stems from a condition called Stills disease which I had as a young child . Thanks as ever for your reply.

      regards,

      Barbara.

       

    • EileenH
      EileenH barbara73592

      Posted

      Then the iritis appears to have a long-standing cause - but either way, I think your symptoms need some closer examination!
  • Kdemers
    Kdemers barbara73592

    Posted

    It may be a form of GCA.  When I have it my cheek on left side hurts.  It is close to jaw pain  but not exactly the same.  I thought it came from pain or tension radiating from jaw---cannot get cheek on pillow comfortably.  Also, when I have a GCA flair my eyes hurt.  Check your scalp, is it tender?  The back of the eyes hurt.  I wish you luck.  Keep track of symptoms.  
    • barbara73592
      barbara73592 Kdemers

      Posted

      No tender scalp or really bad headache,only one eye involved. I am seeing my doctor on Tuesday and will run it past him. Thanks for your reply.
  • darlene36688
    darlene36688 barbara73592

    Posted

    Wow....I never thought about it but a couple of times one side of my nose went numb for a while. It was on the right side of my face & my right temporal area gives me the most problems. That's a interesting thing I need to tell my doctor.

    I just learn and pick up so much useful information from all the people on this forum.

    Take care of your eye. Wouldn't want anything to happen there.

    • barbara73592
      barbara73592 darlene36688

      Posted

      Hi Darlene,

      Saw my GP yesterday. He doesn't think GCA so I am seeing my optician on Friday to let him look at my eye. Here in Scotland our GPs do not take anything to do with iritis,/ eye problems which are different to the simple ones likes styes  etc. The optician is the first port of call ( once you know you have iritis) He will then refer you to an eye infirmary appointment. I always have a supply of Pred drops in the house and for holidays as like PMR it can flare anytime.

      Great forum this isn't it. Like you I have picked up so much useful info too.

      regards,

      Barbara

    • darlene36688
      darlene36688 barbara73592

      Posted

      Good to hear it's not the iritis.

      Good to have a stash of the Pred. eye drops.

      I've had many eye problems due to other things & almost lost vision in my right eye but a wonderful retina specialist saved my vision.

      Because of the iritis my eye specialist has me going to him every 6 months to be safe. He does all the photo's etc.

       Better safe than sorry.

    • EileenH
      EileenH barbara73592

      Posted

      I had a wonderful optician in Scotland - recommended him to a friend with severe autoimmune problems and she thinks he is as good as I do! I used to drive up to Blairgowrie from Durham to see him!
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