PMR,Iritis and Neuralgia

Bones, joints and muscles
1

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

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.

3

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.  

4

Could G CA be involved? I would call/ email my Dr if it were me. 

5

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.

 

6

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.

7

Will do. Best to be on the safe side. Thanks for replying.

8

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

9

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.

10

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

11

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.

12

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!

13

Yes Eileen,worth their weight in gold,the good ones.