I have read the problems that people with PMR experience during a pred reduction relapse so I decided to document my experience with GCA.
Since my reduction to 20mg the side effects of GCA after a pred. reduction seems to be a headache behind my left eye and along the left temple. I only reduce 1mg at a time because every time I reduce I end up with the headaches for four or five days. I have found that if I reduce my reading and take my pred in the following manner I survive semi-comfortably. In the AM I take the fill daily dose of pred. and in the PM I take 650mg of aspirin. The PM aspirin allows me to sleep until 6 AM when I start developing a headache. At that time I take the full dose of pred, put on heavy sunglasses and two hours later my headache almost disappears. Now that I am at 11mg I'll NEVER reduce more than 10% at a time, I NEVER start the next reduction until I do not have a headache but that's just me. I wear heavy sun glasses when driving and any time that I am in the sum.
Be VERY careful taking aspirin with pred - both can cause gastric bleeds, together the risk is much increased.
Thanks for the post. I myself one day will get there. I am still on 40 mg going to 35 in a few days. Will keep in mind what you wrote when I get to lower dose .
So have people on this site with GCA made an appointment with their Optomoligist?
I visited an Optomoligist today and found that I have a pressure of 25 in each eye and have developed cataracts. I have been put on Alphagan and then scheduled for surgery where I will have my lenses replaced an a stent inserted to reduce pressure. Cataracts and glaucoma are potential side effects of long term pred use. I recommend that you know your pressures.
In the UK all patients on long term pred should be told to have regular check-ups at the optician - who should measure pressures. The regulations have been changed as to how often this can be done at the expense of the NHS so the annual ones which are advisable are no longer covered unless (I think) requested by a GP. However, the small cost is worth it when you consider all the things that can be flagged up by a simple eye examination! And you can always ask your GP about it.
On 11/7 I had a CRP test and during my visit on 11/11 my rhumatoligist he told me that the CRP was 12. I have been placed on 12mg and we will see see what happens.