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swollen face

Posted , 8 users are following.

sonej
sonej

I would be grateful for information on how long I may have to endure a swollen face plus swollen feet. I am on 20mg Preds and decreasing gradually  for GCA . I also  have had insomnia since taking steroids  [40mg] five weeks ago and wonder if this will disappear as I decrease dose?

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • linda83143l
    linda83143l sonej

    Posted

    Prednisone isn't condusive to sleep.

    It makes you agitated also.

    Reduce slowly as per your gp.

    x

  • lodgerUK_NE
    lodgerUK_NE sonej

    Posted

    ssonej

    I take it that your a very new to GCA.

    If you go to this link https://patient.info/forums/discuss/browse/polymyalgia-rheumatica-and-gca-1708 which is on this site, you can follow the link given their and read up about GCA.

    A five week reduction from 40mg to 20mg is a fast reduction, it tool me 6 months to go from 60mg to 20mg.

    The 'moon' face is one of the many side effects of prednisolone, but don't worry nobody gets them all and it will go away as the pred is reduced but this can take time.

    Talk to your GP about the fluid retention - re swollen ankles.

    You need to learn as much as possible about GCA, so do read up on it.

    Also it is possible that there maybe a support group in your area.  They are listed on the website.

    • EileenH
      EileenH linda83143l

      Posted

      Try this link

      https://patient.info/forums/discuss/pmr-gca-and-other-website-addresses-35316

      and in the first post there are the links that lodger mentions. A PMR GCA support site, another forum and a paper from top experts in managing PMR and GCA

      As she says - for GCA that is a VERY fast reduction, have a look at the paper by Quick and Kirwan which gives their reductions. It takes then 6 MONTHS not 6 weeks to get to 20mg. Recent scientific work suggests that GCA can still be present after 6 months above 20mg so great care is needed in reducing to avoid a relapse.

  • panamabob
    panamabob sonej

    Posted

    This issue has been discussed recently and a number of us are equally concerned.It seems that the major improvement occurs when the dose dips below 5mg daily.I too get swollen feet.

    I also fall asleep maybe ten times daily without any warning about an hour after meals.But I am diabetic,so maybe this problem is not PMR related.

  • ptolemy
    ptolemy sonej

    Posted

    I have got swollen feet from the pred and have started to have manual lymphatic drainage. The first visit did reduce the swelling a lot, so I had wrinkly feet instead!! However I am not sure what the long term effect is yet. The therapist did say that it was important to reduce the swelling as it could lead to lymphadema. I don't know if this is true or not or just a marketing ploy by the therapist.
    • EileenH
      EileenH ptolemy

      Posted

      At least with fluid the wrinkles go away fairly quickly - different matter with the subcutaneous fat disappearing ;-)  I have my first wrinkles - not sure I approve TBH!
  • Bababoyd
    Bababoyd sonej

    Posted

    My football face and neck remaided until I was down to 10 I believe Never did really have any other swelling. Don't rush the dereasing or you could have to go backa while. I am so exausted, I fall asleep aearly 8 or 9 na dsleep until about3 AM then I am done.  I am not a napper, but have to power nap during the day sometime.
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