I was diagnosed with GCA last Sept. my Dr. presdcribed 60 mg preds - in a month's time I shall be down to 10 mg. A few days ago I developed a sore throat and a few days later a very heavy cold with flu like symptoms. The last two days I have spent in bed with very painful back and weak muscles. Would it be safe for me to take Paracetamol to relieve some of these symptoms - my Dr is on holidays and I don't want to contact his partner. Please advice - I don't want to up the dose of preds as I suffer from awful side-effects.
You really ought to contact your doctor, Mary.
The only other alternative, is to ask your Pharmacist but, really you should talk to your doctor.
Mary, I'm so sorry you are feeling so poorly. When we are dealing with PMR or GCA, we can feel even more wretched when a virus or infection comes along, and it can be enough to cause a flare in the inflammation. That is why some people find it helps to increase the steroids slightly for a few days until they recover. If you are someone who is used to taking Paracetamol without any side effects, then perhaps that will also help. However, if you get any worse then you should contact the doctor. I do hope you feel better soon.
Paracetamol with pred is safe enough for short term use - many GPs will tell you to use it at maximum dose over long periods but the latest evidence is that that is not a good idea.
Do be very watchful though - to reduce from 60mg to 10mg between September and May is very very fast and flares of GCA are very common in the first 18 months and are more likely with a fast reduction. If you have any recurrence of them don't wait for your GP to get back from his holiday - either contact the partner urgently (same day) or go to A&E.
Almost everyone gets severe side effects from high dose pred - but none of them are as bad as the possible alternative in GCA which is going blind. As i say, please be watchful.
Thank you so much for your urgent reponse to my query. It is such comfort when you live alone to know that after all you are not erntirely alone and that there are people out there who are prepared to give their time to help others.
I too have GCA and have been on 60 prednisolone, now down to 19. On two occasions I had a bad flare up I took 50mg diclofenac. It certainly helped me a lot and my Gp had no problems prescibing them. I wouldn't dream of taking them other than rarely and for a very brief one day max two. On that basis they didn't damage me.
Hi Mary, so sorry to hear you are really not feeling the best. I reiterate what the others have said. I also understand the fear and apprehension one feels when you are on your own. But not anymore, you have the good people on this site, who really do care. Please keep in touch. and let us know how you get on. All the very best. Pat
Yes, I agree with you, Mary. I live alone, too and one is not alone when connecting with this wonderful forum and being abe to get educated advise from Eileen.
Just wanted to mention that for some people even that may be more han enough. One lady took 3 doses of ibuprofen on her GPs orders when she first had the PMR pain and discomfort - and ended up in A&E with a gastric bleed. That was without pred.
Mary, you really should be seen by a doctor. With GCA and being on prednisolone, your symptoms can quickly develop into something more serious. My rheumatologist recommends going to A and E for anything like that, but then he knows that it's the best option for me, as he knows I've had little support from my GP practice.
At least see if a doctor will come out.
Hope you feel better soon.l