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How often does PMR progress to GCA?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Mar 29 2:47pm | Replies (115)Comment receiving replies
Truly frightening what your husband has been through. I'm glad you were able to advocate for him and insist on getting him the treatment you knew he needed. It's very frustrating when doctors don't listen and brush you off, simply assuming that patients don't know what they're talking about. I dread the thought of developing GCA and having to go on high doses of prednisone. I'm doing everything I can to help control the levels of inflammation in my body, although I don't really know if that will be effective.
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Hi @charlotte61
I can't say for sure you can avoid it. But. Having been through this horrifying experience I would say you have a lot more knowledge than we did and knowledge, they say, is power. Honestly, if you were to get the symptoms of GCA my first move would be urgent care for labs to check inflammation levels. Those come back rather quickly. If there's a rise, I'd go to the ER and tell them what you suspect. Explain your symptoms, that you've had PMR and are at high risk, and that you do not want to wait to chance blindness or stroke. That seems to get attention. Just listen to your body and don't worry about it because you don't need that additional stress. You know what to do now. The worse is not knowing. And be sure you have a good doctor who will listen to you. It could be something worth discussing at your next appointment. You could share what happened to us and that you want to be assured this will not happen to you. Good chances are you won't get it. Most people with PMR don't. Stay positive, do the things you know work for you and I wish you all the best in this journey. I'll be posting updates as things progress. Next is the results of the CAT scans next week.