I had this scenario. Was diagnosed with PMR in April 2024 after tapering off Prednisone 30mg that an orthopedic doctor originally gave me for hip pain. I had increased migraines, left jaw pain (?TMJ), occasional temporal pain to touch, and some subtle changes in my eyesight. I informed my doctor and was immediately put on 60mg Prednisone and sent to a rheumatologist.
Was scheduled for a bilateral temporal biopsy, but after a day at the hospital waiting for the OR to open up, the day ended and no biopsy. So, I requested the ultrasound, which showed hypoechoic wall thickening of the left parietal and superior branches of the left temporal artery suspicious for temporal arteritis. Nothing on the right.
In three months I have weaned from 60mg to 25 mg Prednisone and will continue to lower the dose 5mg every 1-2 weeks depending on my symptoms. I carry 60 mg of Prednisone with me everywhere in fear of any vision problems; I believe 60mg is the recommended dose to take for GCA.
I had been on 20 mg of Prednisone for over a month when they did the Ultrasound and the doctor was afraid it would show nothing.
I was Leary of the temporal artery “gold standard” biopsy and the ultrasound I had did show hypoechoic wall thickening of the left parietal and superior branches of the left temporal artery suspicious for temporal arteritis. so, my doctor treated it like GCA and i was to watch closely for any increase in symptoms with my eyes.
I am now weaning off the high dose steroids…. Waiting for the pain to come back, but so far, have just had a little weight gain, irritability, fatigue, and occasional tingling in my thumbs, hands, and wrists. In April 2024, I had terrible pain, couldn’t roll over in bed, couldn’t get up from a chair, and could hardly pick up my cell phone! Only time will tell with PMR/GCA, so for now….
just rolling with the punches!
Wishing you luck! 🍀