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Symptoms of GCS?

Posted , 8 users are following.

Heron82
Heron82

Hello All,

what are are the symptoms of GCA? ?Over the past few nights I’ve been experiencing pain in both my temples and tonight it’s woken me up. The pain is not severe enough to take painkillers but it is getting worse. this is coincided with Fleur why have had to increase the dose of pride to 10 mg for the past two weeks.

Advice from this forum as always is very much appreciated thank you.

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • EileenH
    EileenH Heron82

    Posted

    What about your PMR symptoms? Them worsening can also be a sign of GCA developing.

    Headache, in the temples and also at the back of your head (occipital),

    Sore scalp/brushing hair feels strange,

    Pain in jaw when chewing, even talking, which goes away when you stop

    Fatigue

    Sweats and low grade fever

    Weight loss

    Visual symptoms ranging from blurriness to double vision especially first thing in the morning or after a nap

    The first are a warning - ANY visual effects of any sort should send you to the doctor immediately, A&E if you can't see the GP with no delay, not even an hour or two, and having to wait until tomorrow is absolutely not acceptable.

    • Heron82
      Heron82 EileenH

      Posted

      Hi Eileen,

      flare started 2 - 3 weeks ago. increased from 5 to 10 mg pred but legs etc still aching and feeling swollen, but not as painful. Started having quite severe day and night sweats, not related to the Tamoxifen I'd been taking, as I stopped taking it 2 months ago due to side effects. Though about to start back on a lower dose.

      ill give my GP a call for advice, not seen my consultant for 18 months, may be time to request an appt.

      many thanks

    • EileenH
      EileenH Heron82

      Posted

      Definitely time to speak to someone. Just in case - it may not be but you never know.

  • Michdonn
    Michdonn Heron82

    Posted

    Heron82, question what did you do with your dosage when the flare started?

    • Heron82
      Heron82 Michdonn

      Posted

      Hi Mich,

      I increased the dose from 5 to 6, then 7.5 then 10mg after advice from this forum and until the pain and stiffness in my hands, feet and legs subsided. However now some pain and stiffness is returning plus the temple pain. It is waking me up at night and the temple pain has persisted all day today.

      One does become more tolerant of the pain and stiffness though (to the extent that pain medication is not taken), which makes it difficult to assess how far away from normal one is.

      Thanks both

      Heron

    • Michdonn
      Michdonn Heron82

      Posted

      Heron 82 , I would not fool around with pain in my temple, I would notify my Rheumey and head into the ER. The problem with small increases in Pred is you do not get ahead of the inflammation. I take big steps up and down quickly. But now I would have those temples checked out better to be safe than sorry. Good luck! Think positive it maybe nothing!🙂

    • Heron82
      Heron82 Michdonn

      Posted

      Hi Mich,

      how high and how quickly do you go up and down?

      I spoke with my GP and now on 30mg per day today. I will see how this goes and go up again if needed. But for how long?

      many thanks

      best regards

    • Michdonn
      Michdonn Heron82

      Posted

      Hi Heron82, I was on 30 mg for 6 weeks and then did a DSNS taper. But for flares I gone up to 20 mg for 3 days by two methods. One jump to 20 mg, back to PMR pain free, down in 5 mg step three days at a time. Heron, I have had a lot of flares so I up and down a lot. I think the secret is to not to decrease it you have any PMR pain. Just had a flare last week, jump to 20 mg got it under control in five days drop to 15 mg for three day, now on 10 mg, if I am feeling okay, then to 5 mg, then 3 mg to taper to 2.5 mg use DSNS. I drive my Rheumey nuts, but I have been basically PMR pain free for 2 1/2 years, except for flares and almost everything can cause a flare. Normal a very active guy, skiing, bicycling, in the YMCA 3 day a week with a positive attitude, which I think helps, he'll I 82 and still work as a ski instructor. Good luck on the rest of your PMR journey. 🙂

  • Heron82
    Heron82

    Posted

    Thanks Mich,

    very helpful. I'll go with it and be pragmatic as you are. As you say the best way to deal with this is keep to active and positive.

    best wishes

    Heron

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