GCA (Giant Cell Arteritis) and PMR (polymyalgia rheumatica)

@leloc13 . Hi. I'd get to a hospital today . You need to be evaluated. Pain in temples, headaches are classic GCA. The blood tests are c reactive protein and Sedimentation rate. They're done regularly when GCA is suspected. I also started expo visual abnormalities, . I hope you get seen by a clinician soon, or at least talk.

@kayept I've been treated with 15 mg Prednisone for PMR. My doctor thought we could do a fast taper since I responded so well. I took 12.5 mg for 3 days, then started 10 mg. While not as bad, symptoms returned particularly hours of morning stiffness. By mid afternoon I was in great shape. Went for a follow up and when asked about headaches, I said that I do get dull headaches in the middle of the afternoon. I couldn't really say how long that's been going on. I always thought it might be dehydration. Whelp! That opened the GCA can of worms. Now I'm on 60 mg. To your concern, when I was on the 15 mg. I started feeling tightness beneath my ears. My thought was that I might be doing more clenching since the Prednisone makes me feel keyed up. I have repeat labs next week. I hope there's enough indication that I don't have GCA if my symptoms and labs have improved so that I can stop the high dose Prednisone.

I'm 71, diagnosed with PMR in May 2025, taking 7mg a day of prednisone and tapering slowing. I have no signs or symptoms of GCA. I recently saw a Rheumatologist and he ordered a CT Angiogram with contrast just to rule out any enlargement of blood vessels that cause GCA and hopefully it will help me to not worry about it so much if it is "negative ".
Has anyone else had this test for potential GCA?

@kayept My Rheumatologist has ordered a CT Angiogram with contrast to check inflammation of any blood vessels. He orders this test more routinely now to catch possible risk for GCA since some symptoms can be vague.
At first, I was apprehensive about getting the test done but I realized I'm worried about GCA and have sinus issues and pain occasionally that I'm always worried about whether it's GCA.
I'm tapering prednisone now at 7 mg so that's another reason I decided to have it done.

@joan7
I was diagnosed with GCA by biopsy in 2020. The biopsy was not very invasive at all. I can't even see the where the incision was. ??

@kayept
If you have not had TMJ before now, I would be concerned about GCA. Your symptoms could be due to jaw claudication. Also, tooth pain caused by inflammation of one or several of the dental arteries is a rare but reported symptom of GCA.

@mark2471 Thank you! I see my Rheumy March 12th. I plan to contact my PCP tomorrow and request a CT angiogram with contrast. I want to put my concerns to rest, at least for now. K

Yes, but mine was accompanied by ACTEMRA infusion (400 mg every four weeks for a year--now completed 11 infusions--then same dosage every 8 weeks for another six infusions...my doc says 60% of people on this protocol experience total remission...I "plan" on being part of that 60%...have been symptom free since first infusion...
Best of good fortune to you!

@aaaheart Are u kidding me? OMG, my incisions were huge. I thought the doctor botched the procedure at first, but he didn't. He botched the sutures though. Time to look for a new surgeon.