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Precursor symptoms to PMR?

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (92)

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@dadcue

Wow ... you are fortunate. Did you have PMR first?

I was diagnosed with PMR a long time ago. My rheumatologist still asks me about having symptoms of GCA. She says that she is "required" to ask me the questions.

I usually respond by asking her how would I know if I had GCA. I have the symptoms of GCA but I'm diagnosed with uveitis and trigeminal neuralgia. I'm glad someone can differentiate the symptoms.

I regularly see an ophthalmologist because uveitis causes visual disturbances and potentially vision loss. My ophthalmologist always reassures me that there is no evidence of GCA when he looks at my optic nerve. I have other eye problems but fortunately not GCA.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/uveitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20378734
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Trigeminal neuralgia caused such incredible facial pain that I couldn't speak for myself whenever I went to the emergency room. I felt that facial pain but attempting to speak only made it worse. I could only gesture with my thumb to respond yes or no when I was asked questions. My wife would respond and provide more details as needed when a doctor asked me why I couldn't talk.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/trigeminal-neuralgia/symptoms-causes/syc-20353344
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An ironic thing happened when my rheumatologist got approval for Actemra. Since I didn't have GCA as a diagnosis he needed to seek approval before I could try Actemra. My medical records were carefully reviewed and the recommendation was to treat me "as if" I had GCA. My rheumatologist was instructed to follow the guidelines for Actemra use for patients with GCA.

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Replies to "Wow ... you are fortunate. Did you have PMR first? I was diagnosed with PMR a..."

Yes, I had PMR before the GCA symptoms started. It was never officially diagnosed, but starting about 8 months before the first GCA symptoms, I started having a lot of trouble with stiffness, especially in my shoulders. I also ran a low grade fever off and on during that time. I previously mentioned having trouble with one knee and one shoulder. I also felt bad in general, lost weight, had trouble sleeping, etc. I blamed it all on aging.

I see an ophthalmologist every 3 months now to follow up on the GCA and also to monitor for side effects from the prednisone.

It's nice things worked out for you to get treated with Actemra. Prednisone and Actemra both have some risks, but they're better than the alternative.