1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Medications for Temporal Arteritis/Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)

Posted by charann2000 @charann2000, Apr 25, 2018

Anyone out there who has been diagnosed with Temperol Arteritis (Giant Cell Arteritis). I am undergoing testing and most likely have it. Would like to know how anyone is doing with it and what type of medications they use and any side effects, etc.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

thull | @thull | May 19, 2020
In reply to @funcountess "Hello Thull My goodness, you have been thru so much. My husband had diverticulosis, he would..." + (show)
@funcountess

Hello Thull

My goodness, you have been thru so much. My husband had diverticulosis, he would be given antibiotics, and told to watch his diet.
He was about 40-42 with his first attack, and second attack at about age 50s or so.
He never had surgery.
He was a big junk food eater,I had no control over his junk food since he ate it at work, he knew I did not approve of his eating habits.he eventually cleaned up his eating habits.
I hope you stay on the road to recovery. You are young at 55.
Take care
Stay well,
Funcountess

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Thank you! Diverticulosis seems to run in my family. I can remember my mom being hospitalized with it while I was growing up. My dad and my sister have also dealt with it along with 2 of my cousins. I am the only one who has had to have surgery, though. Glad he cleaned up his eating habits. I have always been a pretty healthy eater, and one of the hardest things is not eating a lot of fiber, fresh fruits, veggies etc. My kids say I am on the Toddler diet.....chicken nuggets, French fries and Mac & cheese! Lol

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tootstilbury | @tootstilbury | May 28, 2020
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @tootstilbury and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll notice that I moved your message to..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @tootstilbury and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion about Giant Cell Arteritis called "Medications for Temporal Arteritis/Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)." I did this so that you can meet other members talking about how they manage GCA, like @charann2000 @geniecm @654321 @paddington @MLeeB @elderdiana @crhp194 @captainkenny and others.

You may also be interested in these discussions:
- Adjusting to life with temporal arteritis https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/would-like-to-hear-from-people-that-have-gone-thru-or-going/
- Giant cell arteritis https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/giant-cell-arteritis-20c716/

Tootstilbury, were you able to meet your neurologist in person or was it a teleconsult? What symptoms are you experiencing?

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Update...HAD A LOT OF PAIN A COUPLE Of weeks ago..went to Emergency...given Prednisone and arrangements were made go to Eye Specialists...saw 3 and they Recommend I have the Blood Test
Where Blood is taken from the Temple Arteritis as apparently that proves you do or do not have Giant Cell Arteritis..SO I had the Test 2 days ago. I now have to take Prednisone 20 mg once a day for 2 weeks....AND the Blood Test Results will take 4 weeks....But at least I will know!!!
Please keep sending information. ....much Appreciated
P.S. does anyone know how to ALSO send this message to myself?? So I can pass it on to family and possibly print?...

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | May 28, 2020
In reply to @tootstilbury "Update...HAD A LOT OF PAIN A COUPLE Of weeks ago..went to Emergency...given Prednisone and arrangements were..." + (show)
@tootstilbury

Update...HAD A LOT OF PAIN A COUPLE Of weeks ago..went to Emergency...given Prednisone and arrangements were made go to Eye Specialists...saw 3 and they Recommend I have the Blood Test
Where Blood is taken from the Temple Arteritis as apparently that proves you do or do not have Giant Cell Arteritis..SO I had the Test 2 days ago. I now have to take Prednisone 20 mg once a day for 2 weeks....AND the Blood Test Results will take 4 weeks....But at least I will know!!!
Please keep sending information. ....much Appreciated
P.S. does anyone know how to ALSO send this message to myself?? So I can pass it on to family and possibly print?...

Jump to this post

@tootstilbury, you should be able to copy your post and paste it into an email message to your family. If you are using a computer this might help you.

How to copy text and images from a web page: https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001328.htm

REPLY
654321 | @654321 | May 28, 2020
In reply to @tootstilbury "Update...HAD A LOT OF PAIN A COUPLE Of weeks ago..went to Emergency...given Prednisone and arrangements were..." + (show)
@tootstilbury

Update...HAD A LOT OF PAIN A COUPLE Of weeks ago..went to Emergency...given Prednisone and arrangements were made go to Eye Specialists...saw 3 and they Recommend I have the Blood Test
Where Blood is taken from the Temple Arteritis as apparently that proves you do or do not have Giant Cell Arteritis..SO I had the Test 2 days ago. I now have to take Prednisone 20 mg once a day for 2 weeks....AND the Blood Test Results will take 4 weeks....But at least I will know!!!
Please keep sending information. ....much Appreciated
P.S. does anyone know how to ALSO send this message to myself?? So I can pass it on to family and possibly print?...

Jump to this post

So sorry about your news and being on prednisone . It s is a difficult drug all the way around . Only thing that helps temporal arteries . So they tell me. I’ve now gotten to 5 mg daily.
Been on this second round for about three years. Good luck to you. Any way I can help please let me know.
Not so bad every three months blood work and s evaluation

REPLY
tootstilbury | @tootstilbury | May 31, 2020
In reply to @funcountess "Hello, Sorry to hear of all your medical conditions. Adhesions can form after G.i. Track surgery...." + (show)
@funcountess

Hello,
Sorry to hear of all your medical conditions. Adhesions can form after G.i. Track surgery. Have you seen a gastroenterologist, besides your surgeon.does the surgeon want to remove the adhesions, which is scar tissue. Is it possible to hold off on thyroid surgery until your wrist heals..?
You have a lot going on right now.
You did not mention your age, but guessing over 65???

I’ve taken a few too many tumbles myself, so I understand the need to be super careful.
I would start with your general surgeon, and also see if latest surgery can wait. I’m sure you are getting X-rays of your wrist, and will need physical therapy.
Keep us posted.
Take care,
Funcountess

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Since Giant Cell Arteritis has taken Center STAGE...
My GP is not following my Adhesion problem and Fortunately...SO FAR my adhesions are allowing me to have Bowel Movements (prayers Welcome)....
I had a Biopsy test for Giant Cell Arteritis BUT here in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada it takes a Month to get Results again (Prayers Welcome)

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2 replies
654321 | @654321 | May 31, 2020
In reply to @tootstilbury "Since Giant Cell Arteritis has taken Center STAGE... My GP is not following my Adhesion problem..." + (show)
@tootstilbury

Since Giant Cell Arteritis has taken Center STAGE...
My GP is not following my Adhesion problem and Fortunately...SO FAR my adhesions are allowing me to have Bowel Movements (prayers Welcome)....
I had a Biopsy test for Giant Cell Arteritis BUT here in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada it takes a Month to get Results again (Prayers Welcome)

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On my bucket list to go there . Keep us posted on your results!!

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tootstilbury | @tootstilbury | May 31, 2020
In reply to @tootstilbury "Since Giant Cell Arteritis has taken Center STAGE... My GP is not following my Adhesion problem..." + (show)
@tootstilbury

Since Giant Cell Arteritis has taken Center STAGE...
My GP is not following my Adhesion problem and Fortunately...SO FAR my adhesions are allowing me to have Bowel Movements (prayers Welcome)....
I had a Biopsy test for Giant Cell Arteritis BUT here in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada it takes a Month to get Results again (Prayers Welcome)

Jump to this post

Funcountess and all
Had Adhesions removed in 2016 Told They Grow Back...SO F A R SO Good.....Apparently The Head and Stomach Are Connected!! Wasn't Counting on Giant Cell Arteritis.....
Never Heard Of It
..Little Advice.?....started out 4 years ago (age 81) with
Dizziness.....called Microangiopathic Disease...NOW
GIANT CELL??? WHO Knows?.?
FIND A G O O D Doctor......GOOD LUCK!!

REPLY
1 reply
tootstilbury | @tootstilbury | Jun 2, 2020
In reply to @tootstilbury "Funcountess and all Had Adhesions removed in 2016 Told They Grow Back...SO F A R SO..." + (show)
@tootstilbury

Funcountess and all
Had Adhesions removed in 2016 Told They Grow Back...SO F A R SO Good.....Apparently The Head and Stomach Are Connected!! Wasn't Counting on Giant Cell Arteritis.....
Never Heard Of It
..Little Advice.?....started out 4 years ago (age 81) with
Dizziness.....called Microangiopathic Disease...NOW
GIANT CELL??? WHO Knows?.?
FIND A G O O D Doctor......GOOD LUCK!!

Jump to this post

UPDATE..
Took test for Giant Cell Arteritis...blood taken from right temple....told it would be a month for results..surprised with results a week later...I DO Not Have It...thanks for your Prayers....SO stopped Prednisone Immediately....Dr called today to taper off Prednisone......WONDERED why I Had Very Strange Sensations....took small dose again and will taper down Slowly.......
NOW

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654321 | @654321 | Jun 2, 2020

Congratulations !’ Happy for you!

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charann2000 | @charann2000 | Jun 2, 2020

Hi Tootsie, That's very good news that you don't have GCA. My question to you is that you refer to having a blood sample taken from your temple. Are you sure it was a blood sameple or was it a surgical procedure to take a very small piece of the artery from that temple. It is my understanding that a piece of the artery from the temple is taken for examination.....please clarify. Thank You.

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