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Adjusting to life with temporal arteritis
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jan 9 3:50pm | Replies (289)Comment receiving replies
@pbrumlik I was immediately (same day) referred to a rheumatologist following blood work results. Based on those results and my symptoms, the rheumatologist started treating me for GCA and PMR. I had bilateral temporal biopisies 8 days later, which were negative, but the report stated that it wasn't conclusive that I didn't have GCA.
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@ropnrose you do not need a positive biopsy for GCA. This is a clinical diagnosis. If you are on prednisone, it eventually should be tapered and you should be converted to a biological (Actmera). You also need to see a retinologist to evaluate your eye and a dexascan depending on how long you have been on prednisone. GCA is an autoimmune disease that can last up to two years. You are lucky that you got to see a rheumatologist quickly.