Neck and lower head pain

When my PMR was active my primary care doctor mentioned that I should let them know if I had any pain in the temple area or jaws or other areas in the head due to the possibility of developing GCA along with the PMR. @tsc started another discussion that you might want to take a look at - GCA Relapse - A Slow Burn: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gca-relapse-a-slow-burn/.

Have you discussed the new symptoms with your doctor or rheumatologist?

My first PMR symptom was pain in the neck and shoulder areas. It progressed from there to the hips and thighs and I was fortunate that my regular doctor diagnosed it as PMR. I've had one relapse, and it began with the neck and shoulder pain. Perhaps you have lowered your Prednisone too low or too quickly (which is what I did).

I forgot to mention that the first time my PMR was active it took me 3 and half years to taper off of prednisone and the last six months of that time I spent going back and forth between 1 mg and 1/2 mg prednisone until I could finally stop taking it with little or no pain when I first got up in the mornings.

I don't know what could be causing your neck and lower head pain, but earlier this year I developed neck pain too. It felt like tension tightness with the pain, so I found some neck stretching exercises and did them through the day. Turn the head to one side, not too firmly, and hold it for a couple of seconds. Then turn the other way and hold it for a bit. Repeat a couple of times. I hadn't realised how stiff my neck was, couldn't turn it far at first. The neck came good in less than a week with that simple exercise a few times a day. I hope your neck pain is as easily fixed.

I think we can all be a little different. My pain has been in my neck, base of skull, and top of shoulders.