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GCA (Giant Cell Arteritis) and PMR (polymyalgia rheumatica)
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Oct 25 10:20am | Replies (277)Comment receiving replies
I’ve posted before about PMR, currently on my 3rd bout and down to 2 mg of prednisone. Early last week, I started having significant pain in my jaw and temple, all on my right side. I called my rheumatologist, who ordered labs, which came back “funny” with SED rate elevated and CRP normal. We talked and she set me up with an appointment for biopsy and gave me a script for 40 mg pred. When this started, I was controlling pain with ibuprofen every 4 hours (I figured it was also an anti-inflammatory). Then both rheumatologist and primary care doc went on vacation at the end of last week. In the meantime, the pain began to decrease and I was able to decrease ibuprofen. I did a personal risk assessment and decided not to take the 40 mg, but go ahead with the biopsy, which was much more involved than I thought it would be. Of note is that in November and December, I had 2 major colds or flu or possibly Covid (though I tested negative on home tests). Anyone else have symptoms of GCA which came from colds, flu, Covid. How did you sort it out?
Replies to "I’ve posted before about PMR, currently on my 3rd bout and down to 2 mg of..."
Hi @virginiaj, you mentioned going ahead with the biopsy. Did you get the results yet? When GCA is suspected, a high dosage of prednisone is prescribed, prior to biopsy, because untreated, GCA can result in blindness or stroke. I had a number of odd symptoms that came and went every few weeks a few months before being diagnosed with GCA, including a mild case of shingles, despite having the Shingrex vaccine a year prior. I also had short stabbing pains in the right side of my head and face, very stiff neck, tender scalp, itchy torso, extreme fatigue (anemia) and dry cough. I had PMR previously, undiagnosed, which started about nine months prior to GCA symptoms. My rheumatologist started me on 40 mg Prednisone and my biopsy was positive. I was on prednisone a year for a year and a half, with a slow and consistent taper. I'm off it now. I wish you the best.
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Hello @virginiaj. You will notice that I have moved your post into an existing discussion on GCA and PMR which you can find here:
- GCA (Giant Cell Arteritis) and PMR (polymyalgia rheumatica): https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/temporal-arteritis-1/
Given what is shared in the information below, it seems reasonable that a virus could be a trigger to your symptoms as your immune system is under attack.
"What causes these arteries to become inflamed isn't known, but it's thought to involve abnormal attacks on artery walls by the immune system. Certain genes and environmental factors might increase your susceptibility to the condition."
- Giant cell arteritis: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/giant-cell-arteritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20372758
It does sound like you may have been able to get your pain under control. I wonder if your doctor can provide a correlation to your recent viral infections and your symptoms? Have you asked?