1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Adjusting to life with temporal arteritis

Posted by MLeeB @MLeeB, Mar 21, 2016

Would like to hear from people that have gone thru or going thru temporal artritis. I am now going on my 5 month after being diagnosed. It is getting better but very slowly. Is this normal?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

mzdisney | @mzdisney | Nov 3, 2016

Not sure if I'm posting this in the right place or not, but I have a question re a bilateral biopsy I had on 2 arteries near my temples. The doctor said he tied them off and took the middle sections. He said that I can do without those arteries operating because I have enough others that supply the blood to those areas of my face and head.

My question is this, what happens to the blood that is flowing to that artery that's been tied off? Where does it go if it's not possible to complete the flow?

REPLY
2 replies
Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Nov 3, 2016
In reply to @mzdisney "Not sure if I'm posting this in the right place or not, but I have a..." + (show)
@mzdisney

Not sure if I'm posting this in the right place or not, but I have a question re a bilateral biopsy I had on 2 arteries near my temples. The doctor said he tied them off and took the middle sections. He said that I can do without those arteries operating because I have enough others that supply the blood to those areas of my face and head.

My question is this, what happens to the blood that is flowing to that artery that's been tied off? Where does it go if it's not possible to complete the flow?

Jump to this post

Hello mzdisney, and welcome to Connect. Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding your bilateral biopsy due to temporal arteritis. I moved you discussion to an already existing discussion on temporal arteritis so that you could Connect with other members who have had experiences similar to yours.

I would like to invite back @crhp194 @prednisone4gca who have discussed biopsies in the past.

@mzdisney, did you discuss these concerns and questions with your doctor? Are there any other concerns that you have about the procedure that was performed? Some members discussed that relief was achieved, but it was slow, how has your pain been since the bilateral biopsy?

REPLY
crhp194 | @crhp194 | Nov 3, 2016
In reply to @mzdisney "Not sure if I'm posting this in the right place or not, but I have a..." + (show)
@mzdisney

Not sure if I'm posting this in the right place or not, but I have a question re a bilateral biopsy I had on 2 arteries near my temples. The doctor said he tied them off and took the middle sections. He said that I can do without those arteries operating because I have enough others that supply the blood to those areas of my face and head.

My question is this, what happens to the blood that is flowing to that artery that's been tied off? Where does it go if it's not possible to complete the flow?

Jump to this post

Wish I could help but I have aortic giant cell arteritis. It was found during open heart surgery so I wish I had answers for you but alas I do not. But if I were you, I would return to your doctor and ask him/her your questions. Good luck to you!

REPLY
aberon22 | @aberon22 | Feb 19, 2017

Likelihood of temporal arteritis? My dad - who is 94 - has been experiencing symptoms for over a month. They involve a headache or discomfort near the top of his head and going down to an area behind his left ear near his neck. We happened to be at a doctor's appointment last Tuesday and temporal arteritis was mentioned. We are in the diagnosis process. The doctor prescribed prednisone. This provided some relief though the symptoms have not disappeared. The doctor also referred us to a surgeon who has scheduled a procedure tomorrow for an artery biopsy.
Is this the right approach? I am concerned about the procedure at dad's age though he is generally fit and active. I am also concerned about his going under anesthesia. There is some history of significant sensitivity and he has experienced both very high and very low blood pressure. I have heard the biopsy can be done with a local but the surgery center seems to be scheduling more extensive sedation.
Anyone have feedback?

REPLY
10 replies
Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Feb 19, 2017
In reply to @aberon22 "Likelihood of temporal arteritis? My dad - who is 94 - has been experiencing symptoms for..." + (show)
@aberon22

Likelihood of temporal arteritis? My dad - who is 94 - has been experiencing symptoms for over a month. They involve a headache or discomfort near the top of his head and going down to an area behind his left ear near his neck. We happened to be at a doctor's appointment last Tuesday and temporal arteritis was mentioned. We are in the diagnosis process. The doctor prescribed prednisone. This provided some relief though the symptoms have not disappeared. The doctor also referred us to a surgeon who has scheduled a procedure tomorrow for an artery biopsy.
Is this the right approach? I am concerned about the procedure at dad's age though he is generally fit and active. I am also concerned about his going under anesthesia. There is some history of significant sensitivity and he has experienced both very high and very low blood pressure. I have heard the biopsy can be done with a local but the surgery center seems to be scheduling more extensive sedation.
Anyone have feedback?

Jump to this post

Hello @aberon22, welcome to Connect. Thank you for jumping in to the discussion about temporal arteritis. I am glad you were able to find this discussion on your own. I understand your concerns about your father and undergoing anesthesia.

While we wait for some of the other members to chime in, would you mind sharing if you told your concerns about anesthesia with your physician and surgeon? Did you inquire about being able to do it with a local because of your concerns with previous low/high blood pressure?

REPLY
aberon22 | @aberon22 | Feb 19, 2017
In reply to @aberon22 "Likelihood of temporal arteritis? My dad - who is 94 - has been experiencing symptoms for..." + (show)
@aberon22

Likelihood of temporal arteritis? My dad - who is 94 - has been experiencing symptoms for over a month. They involve a headache or discomfort near the top of his head and going down to an area behind his left ear near his neck. We happened to be at a doctor's appointment last Tuesday and temporal arteritis was mentioned. We are in the diagnosis process. The doctor prescribed prednisone. This provided some relief though the symptoms have not disappeared. The doctor also referred us to a surgeon who has scheduled a procedure tomorrow for an artery biopsy.
Is this the right approach? I am concerned about the procedure at dad's age though he is generally fit and active. I am also concerned about his going under anesthesia. There is some history of significant sensitivity and he has experienced both very high and very low blood pressure. I have heard the biopsy can be done with a local but the surgery center seems to be scheduling more extensive sedation.
Anyone have feedback?

Jump to this post

I did tell both the surgeon and anesthesiologist about a sensitivity to anesthesia and that I had concerns about anything beyond local anesthesia. My dad is with a new physician as of last week so last Tuesday was their first time meeting. In the medical history, we did include information related to high and low blood pressure but I am not sure if I related that particular information to the surgeon or anesthesiologist.

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 20, 2017
In reply to @aberon22 "Likelihood of temporal arteritis? My dad - who is 94 - has been experiencing symptoms for..." + (show)
@aberon22

Likelihood of temporal arteritis? My dad - who is 94 - has been experiencing symptoms for over a month. They involve a headache or discomfort near the top of his head and going down to an area behind his left ear near his neck. We happened to be at a doctor's appointment last Tuesday and temporal arteritis was mentioned. We are in the diagnosis process. The doctor prescribed prednisone. This provided some relief though the symptoms have not disappeared. The doctor also referred us to a surgeon who has scheduled a procedure tomorrow for an artery biopsy.
Is this the right approach? I am concerned about the procedure at dad's age though he is generally fit and active. I am also concerned about his going under anesthesia. There is some history of significant sensitivity and he has experienced both very high and very low blood pressure. I have heard the biopsy can be done with a local but the surgery center seems to be scheduling more extensive sedation.
Anyone have feedback?

Jump to this post

@aberon22, you may also be interested in this discussion on Connect: Anesthesia types and effect on cognitive function in elderly persons http://mayocl.in/2jJpbZw

REPLY
aberon22 | @aberon22 | Feb 21, 2017
In reply to @aberon22 "Likelihood of temporal arteritis? My dad - who is 94 - has been experiencing symptoms for..." + (show)
@aberon22

Likelihood of temporal arteritis? My dad - who is 94 - has been experiencing symptoms for over a month. They involve a headache or discomfort near the top of his head and going down to an area behind his left ear near his neck. We happened to be at a doctor's appointment last Tuesday and temporal arteritis was mentioned. We are in the diagnosis process. The doctor prescribed prednisone. This provided some relief though the symptoms have not disappeared. The doctor also referred us to a surgeon who has scheduled a procedure tomorrow for an artery biopsy.
Is this the right approach? I am concerned about the procedure at dad's age though he is generally fit and active. I am also concerned about his going under anesthesia. There is some history of significant sensitivity and he has experienced both very high and very low blood pressure. I have heard the biopsy can be done with a local but the surgery center seems to be scheduling more extensive sedation.
Anyone have feedback?

Jump to this post

We got through the biopsy yesterday fine with a local anesthesia and some sedation. The procedure took under an hour and dad did not have any dizziness, nausea or other discomfort after the procedure. Results in a few days.

REPLY
masonc | @masonc | Mar 22, 2018
In reply to @aberon22 "Likelihood of temporal arteritis? My dad - who is 94 - has been experiencing symptoms for..." + (show)
@aberon22

Likelihood of temporal arteritis? My dad - who is 94 - has been experiencing symptoms for over a month. They involve a headache or discomfort near the top of his head and going down to an area behind his left ear near his neck. We happened to be at a doctor's appointment last Tuesday and temporal arteritis was mentioned. We are in the diagnosis process. The doctor prescribed prednisone. This provided some relief though the symptoms have not disappeared. The doctor also referred us to a surgeon who has scheduled a procedure tomorrow for an artery biopsy.
Is this the right approach? I am concerned about the procedure at dad's age though he is generally fit and active. I am also concerned about his going under anesthesia. There is some history of significant sensitivity and he has experienced both very high and very low blood pressure. I have heard the biopsy can be done with a local but the surgery center seems to be scheduling more extensive sedation.
Anyone have feedback?

Jump to this post

Note that a biopsy is NOT required to diagnose GCA. *Immediate* 60 or 80 mg of prednisone to prevent loss of vision. If the prednisone reduces or eliminates the symptoms in a day or two, this confirms the diagnosis of GCA. In fact, the biopsy may be negative and misleading.

REPLY
1 reply
masonc | @masonc | Mar 22, 2018
In reply to @aberon22 "Likelihood of temporal arteritis? My dad - who is 94 - has been experiencing symptoms for..." + (show)
@aberon22

Likelihood of temporal arteritis? My dad - who is 94 - has been experiencing symptoms for over a month. They involve a headache or discomfort near the top of his head and going down to an area behind his left ear near his neck. We happened to be at a doctor's appointment last Tuesday and temporal arteritis was mentioned. We are in the diagnosis process. The doctor prescribed prednisone. This provided some relief though the symptoms have not disappeared. The doctor also referred us to a surgeon who has scheduled a procedure tomorrow for an artery biopsy.
Is this the right approach? I am concerned about the procedure at dad's age though he is generally fit and active. I am also concerned about his going under anesthesia. There is some history of significant sensitivity and he has experienced both very high and very low blood pressure. I have heard the biopsy can be done with a local but the surgery center seems to be scheduling more extensive sedation.
Anyone have feedback?

Jump to this post

The biopsy is done with a local anesthetic, It is a simple, quick, procedure. But it is NOT necessary to diagnose GCA and may give a false negative, misleading result.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.