← Return to Giant Cell Arteritis Diagnosis

Discussion

Giant Cell Arteritis Diagnosis

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Nov 3, 2023 | Replies (50)

Comment receiving replies
@milld835

Myself as well. I have had PMR for well over a year now and been on Prednisone since Jan. 2022. Was tapering nicely when the jaw and head pain started on or about Jan. 21/23. Went to ER. They got hold of a Rheumatologist on call. She put me up to 60 mg. Prednisone and after 2-3 days the pains subsided. Then saw my own Rheumatologist who said biospy was inconclusive and started reducing the Prednisone to 50 mg. Needlesstosay, the pains were back within 3 days. Could not reach her (never can) and so went back up to 60 mg. for 5 days now. Seems to be alleviating so much of the pain and I will not start tapering yet. She is a "let's get down to 1 mg. as fast as we can" person. However, sleep is escaping me. Waking up around 3 and that's it for the night. I also have a sciatic nerve issue at the moment and Prednisone does not touch that, so Ibuprofen/Tylenol is my go to, but of course it's affecting the stomach. Darned if you do or don't. Went to Ophthamologist on Jan. 24. He could see no significant change in eyes; only that cataracts had grown and wee bit. Optic nerve looks good. Have a follow-up with him end of February. A little worrisome for me is that I've been a little out of breath, shaky particularly in the mornings (enough to make me sit down) and of course extremely fatigued and if I could actually get hold of my Rheumatologist I might also need some tests done for heart/artery issues - or not. All the best Laurie. ~ Deb

Jump to this post


Replies to "Myself as well. I have had PMR for well over a year now and been on..."

Hi @mild835, after nearly a year of PMR (undiagnosed) and other symptoms, I was extremely fatigued and shaky in the mornings. I had to sit down or feel like I would pass out. My blood work showed anemia before I got the Giant Cell Arteritis diagnosis. It was anemia of chronic inflammation caused by the disorder and resolved with the proper dosage of prednisone.