Hi zaa, A higher dosage of prednisone is needed to manage GCA. I wqas put up to 40 mg, when the rheumatologist suspected GCA. He took my height and weight into account, 4'11" and 95 lbs. Thirty years ago, my mother-in-law was put on 50 mg for GCA. I think she was on it a long time, and lived to be nearly 100. I'm on a tapering schedule - down 5 mg every two weeks if symptoms don't come back. I'm down to 25 mg now and will go down to 20 mg on Thursday. So far, everything is good. I had a dexa scan a couple of weeks ago and it's consistent for osteoporosis - so I'm now working on that. I've exercised consistently for the last 25 years, but have a strong family history of osteoporosis.
The consequences of GCA can be stroke or blindness so I'm grateful for the higher dosage of the prednisone, despite its side effects. Best to you..

I went through this same procedure. I've been as high as 60, and as low as 7 in this whole process, but I'll do whatever it takes to keep my eyesight. Even now I still have concerns about losing it. I just take one day at a time, and I fully trust my doc. He seems to be right on top of this. Well as on top as you can get with such an elusive kind of disease.I did have the biopsy, but even that is uncertain. What I was told was that unless there is a Giant Cell present, they still don't know for sure. My biopsy did not show a Giant Cell. I have all of the signs, but so far haven't cured it, and don't know if it's getting worse. I do worry about it, but just try to be as productive as I can be each day, and pray for more days. I started at 40 mg and felt immediately better, but there were times that I was moved up to 60. I never staled that high. It's hard to live with this, but for me it's been 5 years, and I still have my eyesight. I'm grateful every day for what I am able to hold onto. Best wishes to you.