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Giant Cell Arteritis Diagnosis

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

My last post didn’t appear here, I replied to Teri” but can’t find my post.

Last week has been crazy, 100% sure I have GCA as symptoms have increased:

Constant headache, sometimes stabbing with tingling scalp

Scalp tenderness isn’t really a good description, it’s like localized spots that are quit painful with some swelling around them , sometimes they “sting”
Got these in 4 places on scalp ATM and 1 on jaw.

Neck pain has become quite bad, again swelling and pain is localized to small areas, one very sore spot on top of spine.

Really bad tailbone pain, but it hurts most getting up, much better lying down.
In other words I can’t sit for long without this pain.

My last ESR in Jan this year was low/normal, got another test last week.

Also read that “Occult GCA” can have all the symptoms but lowered ESR/CSR. Either that or the Arava masks it.

See my doctor “General Practioner” in 2 days time, going to insist he starts me on prednisone immediately, would that be 40 mg or 60 mg to start with ?

Regards
OZ

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Replies to "My last post didn’t appear here, I replied to Teri” but can’t find my post. Last..."
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Mar 26, 2023

@oztrax, Here's some information you might want to discuss with your GP if you can't see a rheumatologist.

" Five overarching principles and six-specific recommendations were formulated. Management of GCA and PMR should be based on shared decisions between patient and physician recognising the need for urgent treatment of GCA to avoid ischaemic complications, and it should aim at maximising health-related quality of life in both diseases. The treatment targets are achievement and maintenance of remission, as well as prevention of tissue ischaemia and vascular damage. Comorbidities need to be considered when assessing disease activity and selecting treatment."
--- Treat-to-target recommendations in giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica:
https://ard.bmj.com/content/early/2023/02/23/ard-2022-223429

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Teri | @tsc | Mar 26, 2023

Is it possible for you to get a referral to a rheumatologist, @oztrax?

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