Connect
Has anyone experience severe headaches and muscle spasms
Has anyone experience severe headaches and muscle spasms while on Prednisone? I managed to go from 40mg to 1 mg in a year then a couple weeks ago, in the middle of the night, I experienced a severe headache that went from my neck up to the side of my head. The next day the headache wouldn't go away so I upped my dose of Prednisone over a period of several days to 10mg. I started to feel relief finally and then I decreased it down to 4mg and will keep lowering it each week. I'm guessing this was a fare up but it scared me. I also have been woken up in the night with leg and toe cramps that I've never experienced before. Could Prednisone cause this?
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.
Connect
Prednisone certainly causes cramps. Potassium and Magnesium supplements and fruits like bananas with potassium can help alleviate cramps.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions@cwbf Avocados are also high in potassium - before anyone takes potassium supplements they should discuss with their doctor first. Too much potassium can cause heart problems and irreversible kidney damage.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI'd be very careful with the "severe" headaches. That is one of the symptoms of GCA. You might want to call your doctor.
Good luck, Terry
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@jabrown0407 I wish someone had told me this, I thought it was PMR letting me know it was still around. I have awful crazy cramps in wrist and ankles. Dr had put it off to arthritis. I know it is not. Will try your suggestions.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionWhen I was taking 60 mg. of Prednisone for GCA/PMR, I had leg cramps. I upped my potassium supplements and ate more bananas. I did have severe headaches and tests indicated vasculitis.
If I were you, I'd get screened for GCA.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsVitamin K2 helped my cramps when I was on prednisone (and it is helpful to prevent osteoporosis). Here is an article about the cramps: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2825457
@provdam
Thanks for the information. Did you eventually quit taking prednisone and if so, were you able to discontinue taking VitaminK2?
Yes, as I got down to the lower doses of prednisone the cramps started to go away. I’ve been off prednisone now 3 wks, I haven’t had any cramps at all since then. The K2 didn’t stop all the cramps but definitely helped when I was on higher doses of prednisone—I even had cramps of my fingers. The study I referenced talked about 180 mcg daily, but the pills I got off Amazon ( Now brand, MK-7, Vit K) were 100mcg, so I took one twice daily. Hope this helps.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsAgree with others who warn of GCA. Very serious if not treated. You did the right thing to up your prednisone.. but you definitely need to co tact your MD or go to an ER if it persists.
Take care. I experienced a version of this. So I speak from experience . Take care, Karen
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI've had a severe headache each of the last 3 days, worse than ever before. Two of them started in a hot kitchen and slowly subsided once I cooled down. I remember having the same issue midday in Florida at Disney in December before I was on prednisone and before I was diagnosed with PMR. They were also bad. It's possible I was dehydrated but I've made a conscious effort to stay hydrated on the prednisone. I go back to my rheumatologist in a week and see my ophthalmologist the following week. This is still very new to me.