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Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: 3 days ago | Replies (11)
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@rocksology
That’s a large dose for sure.
I called my Rheumatologist office to tell them I’m having some slight symptoms of giant cell arteritis, the nurse called me and said go to the ER.
Not what I wanted to hear from my doctor.
Replies to "@rocksology That’s a large dose for sure. I called my Rheumatologist office to tell them I’m..."
@ga29 Suspected GCA is an emergency and your doctor's office is not prepared to manage medical emergencies. You belong in an ER and you need to make sure the ER doctor is trained in how to Dx and treat GCA. My ophthalmologist has told me I should call them when I head to the ER so they can intervene as need to make sure I receive proper GCA treatment.
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@ga29 When I was diagnosed with PMR and suspected to have GCA, my rheumatologist put me on 60 mg. of Prednisone daily. I hadn't had a temporal biopsy yet, but out of an abundance of caution he prescribed it. I had all the classic symptoms of GCA. The potential for blindness was enough for me to accept the dosage. I was on 60 mg. for 6 weeks and then began my taper. After a year and a half I tapered off of Prednisone. The last 10 months of my taper were assisted by Actemra infusions. I've been taking the infusions for 19 months now. I wish you the best.