1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Can Temporal Arteritis Symptoms be Caused by Medication

Posted by dbrown400 @dbrown400, Aug 6, 2019

Hello, My wife was placed on generic Imdur ER, 7 days later she had a massive bilateral headache, even after the Imdur was stopped the right eye was blurred and seeing double and she had pain on the right side. On day 7 on the imdur she had been out at a theme park all day walking and it was quite warm. This is when the headache, blurred and double vision started. She was diagnosed with Temporal Arteritis, all blood tests, CT and MRI as well as biopsys of both sides were negative. IV steroids were given in the hospital for 3 days. Now on 60mg of prednisone daily. Seen by RA specialist, Neurologists and eye specialist multiple times... the pain and double vision is gone with just some haze still in the right eye. Peripheral vision test shows an area in the right eye in the lower right quadrant where the double vision had been the most severe where she can not see.
As I understand it, imdur is a vassal dilator and from what I read side effects can be magnified by standing for long periods of time in hot weather.
I keep asking the specialists if the temporal arterial inflammation could have been caused by the imdur and keep getting rebuffed.
Anyone have any thoughts?

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

Ethan McConkey, Moderator | @ethanmcconkey | Aug 7, 2019

Hi @dbrown400 welcome to Connect. That must be frustrating to have this happen to your wife.

I'd like to share this article about the side effects of Imdur: https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-2552/imdur-oral/details

I'd also like to tag fellow Connect members @crhp194 and @tinkerbell may be able to offer you support as your wife works to life with this new diagnosis.

Back to you @dbrown400 how are your wife's side effects now? Also, what was the reason for being prescribed Imdur?

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2 replies
crhp194 | @crhp194 | Aug 7, 2019
In reply to @ethanmcconkey "Hi @dbrown400 welcome to Connect. That must be frustrating to have this happen to your wife...." + (show)
@ethanmcconkey

Hi @dbrown400 welcome to Connect. That must be frustrating to have this happen to your wife.

I'd like to share this article about the side effects of Imdur: https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-2552/imdur-oral/details

I'd also like to tag fellow Connect members @crhp194 and @tinkerbell may be able to offer you support as your wife works to life with this new diagnosis.

Back to you @dbrown400 how are your wife's side effects now? Also, what was the reason for being prescribed Imdur?

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Alas I am unable to help as I take methotrexate for Giant Cell Arteritis. It is an anti- inflammatory drug. I have taken this since August of 2016 and have had little to no side effects. Carol

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geniecm | @geniecm | Nov 12, 2019

I am sure my GCA was triggered by my second shingles vaccination! Woke up next morning and couldn't get out of bed, fever, flu symptoms, down hill until a temporal biopsy, 2 months later.

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1 reply
dbrown400 | @dbrown400 | Nov 12, 2019
In reply to @ethanmcconkey "Hi @dbrown400 welcome to Connect. That must be frustrating to have this happen to your wife...." + (show)
@ethanmcconkey

Hi @dbrown400 welcome to Connect. That must be frustrating to have this happen to your wife.

I'd like to share this article about the side effects of Imdur: https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-2552/imdur-oral/details

I'd also like to tag fellow Connect members @crhp194 and @tinkerbell may be able to offer you support as your wife works to life with this new diagnosis.

Back to you @dbrown400 how are your wife's side effects now? Also, what was the reason for being prescribed Imdur?

Jump to this post

Sorry about the delay in posting an update... all issues have cleared after long period of 60mg of prednisone daily. Mass General and local RA specialists have determined that this was not Temporal Arteritis. She titrated off of the prednisone and symptoms have not returned.

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terre | @terre | Nov 13, 2019
In reply to @geniecm "I am sure my GCA was triggered by my second shingles vaccination! Woke up next morning..." + (show)
@geniecm

I am sure my GCA was triggered by my second shingles vaccination! Woke up next morning and couldn't get out of bed, fever, flu symptoms, down hill until a temporal biopsy, 2 months later.

Jump to this post

I received the original shingles vaccine that was all in one dose by a different manufacturer. I was never informed that PMR was a possible side effect. It is listed on the website but not on the signature waiver at Walgreens!!! GCA is a secondary consequence of PMR. My vision was definitely affected and needed cataract surgery at only 56 years old. I experienced double vision, vertigo, headaches, fever, terrible pain, etc. I, too, was told that GCA is negative. It is November and all this started in January. I stopped all steroids, take Tylenol and use wet heat for pain, I exercise moderately and do stretching exercises to ease muscle pain and just started seeing a chiropractor. I refuse to give up and will continue to tell as many as will listen that the shingles vaccines have caused so many to acquire PMR and GCA.

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1 reply
geniecm | @geniecm | Nov 20, 2019
In reply to @terre "I received the original shingles vaccine that was all in one dose by a different manufacturer...." + (show)
@terre

I received the original shingles vaccine that was all in one dose by a different manufacturer. I was never informed that PMR was a possible side effect. It is listed on the website but not on the signature waiver at Walgreens!!! GCA is a secondary consequence of PMR. My vision was definitely affected and needed cataract surgery at only 56 years old. I experienced double vision, vertigo, headaches, fever, terrible pain, etc. I, too, was told that GCA is negative. It is November and all this started in January. I stopped all steroids, take Tylenol and use wet heat for pain, I exercise moderately and do stretching exercises to ease muscle pain and just started seeing a chiropractor. I refuse to give up and will continue to tell as many as will listen that the shingles vaccines have caused so many to acquire PMR and GCA.

Jump to this post

John, thank you for your affirmation! I am having an awful time adjusting to to GCA and or Prednisone side effects. Diagnosed in Sept. And began with 50 mgs of pred, now down to 30 but I still have constant headache, jaw pain, neck and shoulder pain, bruising, fatigue etc. Going for blood work soon so will hopefully see what's going on. Last blood work was OK even though I was feeling awful. Just looking for support and perhaps some answers.

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1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Nov 20, 2019

@geniecm there is another discussion that you might find helpful on GCA and Temporal Arteritis. You are not alone and I'm sure other members will be able to share what has helped them or help you answer any questions you might have.

> Groups > Autoimmune Diseases > Temporal Arteritis or Giant Cell Arteritis
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/temperol-arteritis-or-giant-cell-arteritis/

Was the prednisone helping with the pain before you tapered down to 30 mg?

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