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Temporal Artery Biopsy VS a color Doppler Ultrasound for GCA diagnosis
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Sep 10 12:17pm | Replies (26)Comment receiving replies
@lilyonm Good morning -- I am frustrated today because I might be have a reaction to the sutures in the incision for my temporal biopsy! I was wondering how things turned out for you and what decision you arrived at.
I realize the urgency for diagnosing GCA , but what was the likelihood of my minor and fleeting symptoms actually being GCA? I wished I could have discussed with my PCP , but he was on a 3 week vacation and the Rheumatologists was going on a 3 week vacation! Oh well.
Replies to "@lilyonm Good morning -- I am frustrated today because I might be have a reaction to..."
I had the absolutely clear cut text book symptoms. I went to an ophthalmologist and they didn't see any eye issues. I went for an ultrasound and they saw no halos. I went for the biopsy and it was negative. However, immediately following the biopsy, my symptoms disappeared. I'm just telling you what I went through so you can have another data point.
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@nyxygirl I am SO sorry to hear about your experience. I read a couple of comments from people who had the biopsy and one person said they looked like Frankenstein and should have had a plastic surgeon do the stitch.
Both the ENT (ear nose throat) Doc and Rheumatologist have said that since I have been on P for 10 weeks that a biopsy will not prove effective in diagnosing GCA. I, too, wonder if some of my weird symptoms (fatigue, headaches, some jaw pain) have to do with GCA. I had a full ophthalmology exam and my optic nerve shows no sign of GCA. Oh, and the doppler US order was for my carotid not my temporal so that was moot. (TY for the link to the fast track US info. The machine here does meet the criteria for identifying GCA. However, the Ultrasonographer said in her 30 years of practice she has never had a positive US for GCA, and she only does 1 every six months. Low pool of patients)
One woman on this group said her GCA was identified by a PET scan. She had subclinical indicators. Oh, and another person had GCA identified thru a scan after a motor vehicle accident. More costly tests but possibly more accurate.
Have you had your iron and ferritin levels tested? My fatigue is due to low iron and I have just started a supplement. My platelets are high due to low iron and P. Inflammatory conditions wreak havoc on the entire system and it is difficult to identify which symptom is being caused by what condition.
I have an appointment at Mayo in Scottsdale in 2 weeks. I will let you know how it goes. Til then watch for symptoms of infection on the suture and get it tended to ASAP. The conditions were are living with cause us to be more susceptible to infections because of our compromised immune systems. Peace.