It might be best to ask your doctor. I think the old Shingles vaccine is about 50% effective; the Shingrex, 91% effective. I completed the Shingrex vaccine in 2019. This year, at the beginning of May, I had a mild case of Shingles. My brother is an infectious disease specialist and reviewed the results of my blood tests when I told him about the strange rash on my face. I also had anemia. My brother suspected PMR and GCA and guided me in what tests to ask my Primary Care Doctor to order. He was reluctant, but changed his tune when the results came in (sed rate at 119). I started on 10 mg Prednisone, but still had short stabbing pains on the side of my head, tender scalp, extremely sore neck. I was referred to a Rheumatologist who put me on 40 mg Prednisone, and ordered a biopsy of my temporal artery. Within a week, the results were in - positive for GCA. The symptoms of PMR started last May (2020) after a minor ankle injury. Within days, I felt as if I was wearing an astronaut suit of pain and stiffness, from the neck, shoulders arms, pelvis, back of knees and ankles. It lasted for months. I just kept going to physical therapy, thinking I could stretch and exercise it away. In September 2020, I went to my PCP with the PMR symptoms. He ordered blood tests and Xrays, which were inconclusive, so nothing was pursued.
The funny thing about this - I knew about GCA as my mother-in-law had it. I had written down her symptoms 30 years ago and sent them to my brother when her doctor blew her off. She presented as classic text book symptoms. I never imagined I had the same disease as she as my symptoms were different from hers.
It might be best to ask your doctor. I think the old Shingles vaccine is about 50% effective; the Shingrex, 91% effective. I completed the Shingrex vaccine in 2019. This year, at the beginning of May, I had a mild case of Shingles. My brother is an infectious disease specialist and reviewed the results of my blood tests when I told him about the strange rash on my face. I also had anemia. My brother suspected PMR and GCA and guided me in what tests to ask my Primary Care Doctor to order. He was reluctant, but changed his tune when the results came in (sed rate at 119). I started on 10 mg Prednisone, but still had short stabbing pains on the side of my head, tender scalp, extremely sore neck. I was referred to a Rheumatologist who put me on 40 mg Prednisone, and ordered a biopsy of my temporal artery. Within a week, the results were in - positive for GCA. The symptoms of PMR started last May (2020) after a minor ankle injury. Within days, I felt as if I was wearing an astronaut suit of pain and stiffness, from the neck, shoulders arms, pelvis, back of knees and ankles. It lasted for months. I just kept going to physical therapy, thinking I could stretch and exercise it away. In September 2020, I went to my PCP with the PMR symptoms. He ordered blood tests and Xrays, which were inconclusive, so nothing was pursued.
The funny thing about this - I knew about GCA as my mother-in-law had it. I had written down her symptoms 30 years ago and sent them to my brother when her doctor blew her off. She presented as classic text book symptoms. I never imagined I had the same disease as she as my symptoms were different from hers.
Hello @tsc, Welcome to Connect. Thank you for sharing your experience with getting a diagnosis for PMR and GCA. It is extremely helpful when members share their experience with other members who are trying to find answers. PMR can be a little different for each of us. There are a few other discussions on GCA that you might want to view.
Hello @tsc, Welcome to Connect. Thank you for sharing your experience with getting a diagnosis for PMR and GCA. It is extremely helpful when members share their experience with other members who are trying to find answers. PMR can be a little different for each of us. There are a few other discussions on GCA that you might want to view.
Prior to the biopsy, he put me on 40 mg. With the positive diagnosis, he told me to taper down by 5 mg after two weeks at 40, so 35 mg the next two weeks, then 30mg, next two weeks, etc. I've been at 30 since June 17. My inflammation was down from 10.6 in May to 0.2 last week,(C-Reactive Protein). It is to be repeated monthly. He prefers the C-RP to the sed rate. So far so good. I saw the debilitating effects of Prednisone on my mother-in-law and aunt (who also had GCA), but so far, for me, it's working well. The only problem has been insomnia so far, and that's getting better.
John, thanks for the links. I had trouble finding the discussions for GCA.
I have been unable to find an answer to this question anywhere: Does the tissue eroded by erosive oral lichen planus regenerate if your OLP goes into remission? Or is that tissue lost forever?
I have been unable to find an answer to this question anywhere: Does the tissue eroded by erosive oral lichen planus regenerate if your OLP goes into remission? Or is that tissue lost forever?
Okay, (I think) I figured it out, but I am getting a msg saying to wait a few days to post in that area because they see that I already posted this question elsewhere!
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It might be best to ask your doctor. I think the old Shingles vaccine is about 50% effective; the Shingrex, 91% effective. I completed the Shingrex vaccine in 2019. This year, at the beginning of May, I had a mild case of Shingles. My brother is an infectious disease specialist and reviewed the results of my blood tests when I told him about the strange rash on my face. I also had anemia. My brother suspected PMR and GCA and guided me in what tests to ask my Primary Care Doctor to order. He was reluctant, but changed his tune when the results came in (sed rate at 119). I started on 10 mg Prednisone, but still had short stabbing pains on the side of my head, tender scalp, extremely sore neck. I was referred to a Rheumatologist who put me on 40 mg Prednisone, and ordered a biopsy of my temporal artery. Within a week, the results were in - positive for GCA. The symptoms of PMR started last May (2020) after a minor ankle injury. Within days, I felt as if I was wearing an astronaut suit of pain and stiffness, from the neck, shoulders arms, pelvis, back of knees and ankles. It lasted for months. I just kept going to physical therapy, thinking I could stretch and exercise it away. In September 2020, I went to my PCP with the PMR symptoms. He ordered blood tests and Xrays, which were inconclusive, so nothing was pursued.
The funny thing about this - I knew about GCA as my mother-in-law had it. I had written down her symptoms 30 years ago and sent them to my brother when her doctor blew her off. She presented as classic text book symptoms. I never imagined I had the same disease as she as my symptoms were different from hers.
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2 ReactionsHello @tsc, Welcome to Connect. Thank you for sharing your experience with getting a diagnosis for PMR and GCA. It is extremely helpful when members share their experience with other members who are trying to find answers. PMR can be a little different for each of us. There are a few other discussions on GCA that you might want to view.
-- Giant cell arteritis: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/giant-cell-arteritis-20c716/
-- Medications for Temporal Arteritis/Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA): https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/temperol-arteritis-or-giant-cell-arteritis/
-- GCA (Giant Cell Arteritis) and PMR (polymyalgia rheumatica): https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/temporal-arteritis-1/
What kind of tapering schedule did your rheumatologist suggest for you to try?
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3 ReactionsPrior to the biopsy, he put me on 40 mg. With the positive diagnosis, he told me to taper down by 5 mg after two weeks at 40, so 35 mg the next two weeks, then 30mg, next two weeks, etc. I've been at 30 since June 17. My inflammation was down from 10.6 in May to 0.2 last week,(C-Reactive Protein). It is to be repeated monthly. He prefers the C-RP to the sed rate. So far so good. I saw the debilitating effects of Prednisone on my mother-in-law and aunt (who also had GCA), but so far, for me, it's working well. The only problem has been insomnia so far, and that's getting better.
John, thanks for the links. I had trouble finding the discussions for GCA.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI have been unable to find an answer to this question anywhere: Does the tissue eroded by erosive oral lichen planus regenerate if your OLP goes into remission? Or is that tissue lost forever?
Hi LCR, welcome. You may wish to post your question in the discussion about erosive oral lichen planus here:
- Erosive oral lichen planus https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/erosive-oral-lichen-planus/
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1 ReactionI do not see how to post there. Could you please elaborate?
Okay, (I think) I figured it out, but I am getting a msg saying to wait a few days to post in that area because they see that I already posted this question elsewhere!