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Is swelling of lymph nodes and lower face part of PMR experience?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Oct 29, 2025 | Replies (19)Comment receiving replies
@lally
When I went to my primary care practitioner with PMR/GCA symptoms, she forwarded my bloodwork to a rheumatologist in Colorado (I live in Wyo). He immediately prescribed 60 mg. of Prednisone out of an abundance of caution, until I could get a bi-lateral temporal biopsy. The biopsy was done 6 days later and the report was negative, however, it stated that that didn't mean that I didn't have GCA. I was on 60 mg. of Prednisone for about 6 weeks, before I could start tapering. This all started in July 2024. I am currently taking Actemra infusions monthly and 1 mg. of pred daily. My rheumatilogist prescribed the Actemra in Jan 2025, when I had a flare and some of the GCA symptoms seemed to be rearing their ugly head.
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@ropnrose That is interesting, thank you. My biopsy is Tuesday, (10 days later). My MD has reduced the 50 mg Prednisone daily that was prescribed for 1 week to 30 mg daily as of this week. I guess I'll see how this works out. No rheumatologist involvement at this point. There seem to be so many questions with this PMR/GCA business and so few answers. Access to medical support is often sparse here in Ontario, Canada. I feel like I have very little idea what to expect as the condition goes forward. But maybe it is so variable that nobody knows what to expect?