Connect
← Return to How often does PMR progress to GCA?
Discussion
How often does PMR progress to GCA?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Nov 2 9:39am | Replies (128)Comment receiving replies
I scared myself to death reading about GCA too!
My recommendation - don't read about it anymore.
If you have persistent headaches, tender scalp, and jaw pain, go to emergency.
Replies to "I scared myself to death reading about GCA too! My recommendation - don't read about it..."
I agree that we can scare ourselves with too much knowledge. However, I want to add one thing here. When my husband was diagnosed with PMR in 5/2023, I did tons of research and in that research GCA came up as a possibility in I think 20-25% of people with PMR. Not 100% sure on that number. I saw GCA could cause blindness and quit reading, hoping and praying he wouldn't get it. Then, when he developed the symptoms of GCA we didn't know what was happening at first. He started with a headache and some neck pain. The headaches became really bad and his doctor said they were stress headaches. Then he developed jaw pain and the doctor said he had TMJ. I doubted the doctor and that's when I put in a search "PMR jaw pain headaches" and up popped GCA. I contacted his rheumatologist (we've since switched rheumatologists) and she didn't believe me. I had to fight and fight for a biopsy. He had it, and it was horrible. He landed in the ER.
Long story short, good to know these few things, like you said:
If you have PMR and develop headaches, tender scalp, jaw pain, temple pain (any combo of those) go to the ER!!! That is the best advice.
Connect
True-- the more I read about it, the more I terrified myself!