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PMR Dosages and Managing Symptoms
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jun 1 1:21pm | Replies (445)Comment receiving replies
What were your symptoms of GCA? I have just been diagnosed with PMR. Did 5 days at 40mg and now 2 weeks on 20mg of prednisone. Pain is much better but having dull headaches everyday. Have not been tested for GCA and don't know if I should ask my Dr. to test or wait. Not really sure if this is GCA or just headache. It is not specifically in my temple area and my vision is getting worse but think it is likely age related (but who knows). Anyone have specific info on symptoms .....?
Replies to "What were your symptoms of GCA? I have just been diagnosed with PMR. Did 5 days..."
Hi @lmdohrmann, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with Teri @tsc. I agree with Teri that you should document your symptoms and contact your doctor as soon as possible. My rheumatologist was always asking me if I had pain in the temples or scalp and if I was having any vision problems since he was worried about the possibility of GCA. Mayo Clinic has more information about the symptoms and causes here - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/giant-cell-arteritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20372758.
Are you able to contact your doctor and discuss the symtpoms and testing for GCA?
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Hi @lmdohrman, I was not diagnosed for a year. I think I had the pain of PMR for about 9-10 months, then it eased up, but new symptoms appeared, which were truly strange: short stabbing pains from my right ear to my nose, a tender scalp, torso itching, excruciating neck pain (I could not turn my head), a dry cough, especially at night, anorexia - no appetite or desire to eat, I was down to 93 pounds. I could not see out of my right eye a couple of times, had extreme sensitivity to the sun, and exhaustion after my daily walk (caused by anemia, "the anemia of chronic inflammation"). I also got shingles, even after having the shingrex vaccine a year prior. I had gagging attacks, which were spasmotic, 29 in nine months.
I had documented my symptoms, which I told the rheumatologist. On an intial dosage of about 10 mg for PMR, he said all my symptoms should be gone. Fortunately, the day before I spoke to him, I had 25 of those short stabbing pains in my face. He told me to start taking 40 mg of prednisone and ordered a temporal artery biopsy which was positive.
My mother-in-law had GCA in the mid 90s. I remember her symptoms being difficulty chewing, a headache, lethargy and night sweats.
Untreated, Giant Cell Arteritis can lead to blindness or a stroke. And if you ever have episodes of being unable to see, go to an emergency room as that needs immediate treatment. I was lucky not to damage my vision. I suggest you document your symptoms and bring them to your physician's attention. I think of GCA as a thief in the night, that comes and goes, with stealth attacks.
I'm down to 3 mg of Prednisone now and doing well.
I wish you the best, Teri