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GCA (Giant Cell Arteritis) and PMR (polymyalgia rheumatica)
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: 6 days ago | Replies (314)Comment receiving replies
My biopsy was positive for GCA. I got the results about 4 days after they performed the biopsy. By the time I got the results I had already received 3 infusions of 1000 mg of methylprednisolone, and had taken 2 doses of 60 mg prednisone. They started treatment with me before getting the biopsy results because I was having episodes of temporary vision loss. My vision turned out ok.
You are in a difficult situation because they did the biopsy so long after you started taking prednisone. The giant cells could have already shrank back down, or they might have taken the biopsy in an area that doesn't have giant cells. So a negative biopsy won't mean that you don't have GCA. What symptoms were you having that caused the GCA diagnosis?
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It started with a terrible pain in the side of my neck and developed into pain in front of ears. It was late in the evening when I discovered a vein popping beside my left eye and realized that was not normal. At the same time I developed severe bodily chills and pain at the front top of my head. Also pain in my teeth, and the side of my jaw had been occurring for a couple of days. For some reason I was also having trouble thinking clearly. At this point I had been on 25 mg of prednisone for just over a week. I called the nurse helpline and they sent me to emergency, the nurse saying she was concerned about me and if my daughter didn't come soon to pick me up I should call an ambulance.
I get to the ER and they put me in the waiting room for 7.5 hours, admitting in patients with stomach problems first. Chest pain always goes first, I get that, but this was ridiculous. Then when I see the doctor, he tells me GCA pain doesn't move around. I get an eye test and my vision in my left eye had changed and I hadn't really noticed. Doc reluctantly gives me decision to up dose or not. I get the dose upped and leave, walking home and very angry.