I did get an extensive amount of blood work done, including SED. RATE, which is part of the marker for Temporal Arteitis and I had a CT Scan of the head scheduled for the next day since I had already had that scheduled prior to the ER visit and they felt, based upon my blood work results that it could wait until the next day. I will say that I felt a great deal of comfort phychologically being in the ER as opposed to sitting in my house and have this situation escalate with extreme pain and worry. I am not one to run to the ER unless I actually break some bones...so, to answer your question, it was most helpful to me and more comprehensive in the amount of blood work tests taken at one time. The only criticism I would have is that the second Physician Assistant really put it into the category of a Migraine headache which I knew it was not...never had them and very seldom even have headaches....this constant burning on the left temple which may escalate or subside, but it is always almost present. The first Physician Assistant left at the end of his shift and he was more knowledgeable I felt. It is a shame that they don't send a doctor in at some point with these ER visits....a Physician's Asst. is not a doctor and really should not be offering their personal views in such a situation in my opinion!

Hi again. Before I was diagnosed I saw the PA at my Internist's Office. My blood pressure was high and all she wanted to do was double the amount of my blood pressure medication. I told her my Dermatologist's husband (a physician) suggested I have blood work and a CT scan if I continued to feel bad. She said it would be a waste of money and time. I talked to my Cardiologist after this happened and he could not believe that she wanted to double my medication. He said of course your blood pressure was high with this disease and not feeling well. So I certainly agree with your thoughts on the PA. I hope someone can figure this out for you.

I only trust myself at this point in time....these PA are not doctors and that is what is important to remember when dealing with them! I believe that I will get a definitive answer when I meet with my RA Specialist. Right now I am taking Excederin Migraine Strength pills whenever I feel it is beginning to escalate insofar as the pain. So far, I am fortunate not to have the pain radiating behind the eye as it was last week, but I know that could happen again at any moment.... so thankful that it is not.

Charan. My opinion??? It is dangerous to the patient to have one doctor replaced at end of shift by another doctor. The hospitals now have hospilist. Doctor who have no office and work for hospital. End of shift they are gone. Not only that when you are gone they are done with you. I broke my back and cannot get the university doctor to look at it and see that they did surgery right. They cannot see me for 90 days. I was in a different hospital. The hospital required I CK in again. Oh goodness. Advocate for yourself and refuse to leave hospital until you have talked to all doctors who worked on you. There is more to it but this is worst thing as a result of Obama care. Next thing..your scripts....get marijuana as fast as you can. They are reducing ins company portion on drugs to 5 percent. Good thing I am old

You know what is rather funny, my Otolaryngist (Eye, Ear & Nose Throat) told me initially that I may be referrd over to a Neuorologist but in the ER they had the name of a RA Specialist and when my Otolaryngologist phoned with the results of the CT Scan they said an RA Specialist also. Just wondering to myself why they changed their minds as to what type of a Specialist I should see. Temporal Arteitist is classified as an Auto Immune Disease so I guess why they chose an RA Specialist...who knows any more. Regarding my eyes being checked out in the ER, the first PA looked into my left eye and said it looked fine....he is not an eye doctor so again, I can only hope for the best with that. Luckily, I have experienced no flashing lights, or black outs of vision so far....this frightens me more than anything to be perfectly honest. I live in Milwaukee, WI and we do have top rate hospitals and doctors....I search for the best and usually find it in the medical profession.

I have a friend that lives in Orlando half year and the other half in Milwaukee area. She talks about the wonderful doctors in your area. Are you of Scandinavian Descent or Northern European Descent? These are the people that are the most likely to get Giant Cell Arteritis. My father’s family was from Germany. Most of her doctors are from Froedtert’s Hospital. My doctor at Mayo gave me the name of a doctor for her to see about her headaches. Good Luck getting diagnosed.

I am of Northern European descent. Froedtert is ranked as the number 1 hospital here in the greater Milwaukee area. Most of my doctors are out of Aurora and I have been happy with them for well over 28 years. Thank you once again!

My father was born in Sweden and my mother’s folks were, so I can thank my Northern European descendents for my temporal Arteritis which with I was diagnosed 10 months ago, only a few days before my 81st birthday. I am grateful my treatment is going well.

My doctor at Mayo told me that they are looking at the Shingles vaccine and how it plays into GCA. He told me the people that get GCA and have had a Shingles Vaccine do better than the ones that did not get the Shingles Vaccine. Were are you in the tapering?

Hi, Tinkerbell,

I actually had the original Shingles Vaccine when I turned 60 years old (nine years ago) and also had all of the Hepatitis Vacines at that same time just to err on the side of safety. I keep up with every immunization out there. I did contemplate taking the newer Shingles vaccination (Shingrix) but found out it was not yet covered by Medicare and it is quite expensive and also there are a number of people wondering how it will react to in their own systems. This is an excerpt from the Consumer Reports Organization. (https://www.consumerreports.org/shingles-vaccine/new-shingles-vaccine-shingrix-what-you-should-know) regarding the new Shingrix Vaccination and how it effects people who are on Prednisone and/or have auto immune situations:

"Right now, Shingrix is not recommended for older adults who are immunocompromised or are taking moderate to high doses of drugs that suppress the immune system.

But because the new shingles vaccine contains a nonliving viral particle, it may ultimately be deemed appropriate for those with compromised immunity. (Zostavax contains live—although weakened—herpes zoster virus, so those with significantly weakened immune systems should not receive it.) The ACIP will review data on Shingrix in these groups as it becomes available.

“Shingles is a big problem with immunocompromised people,” Schaffner says."

So I hope this helps in answering your questions regarding the new Shingrx Vaccine.