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DiscussionAdjusting to life with temporal arteritis
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jan 13 9:52am | Replies (217)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "@mariannj Welcome. May I ask how long you have had GCA and what treatment you’ve received?..."
Oh my you have had a round time. Hope you are better soon.
Diagnosed with biopsy end of September following 2 weeks of headache, jaw claudification and finally visual distortion. Since Mom and sister both had it I knew to immediately get help so the very next day I was receiving 1000 IV prednisone for three days. Biopsy was on day 2. Vision was saved and headache disappeared. Next I began with oral 80 mg and eventually tapered to 10 currently. I have extreme Cushing syndrome so doctor is trying to get me down to a lower dose. I also am an outlier, meaning I am out of the normal sphere of patients with my side effects. I was 79 when diagnosed, now 80. Yea! On octogenarian! At my worst I needed a walker and could not rise out of chair or off toilet without assistance. I had grab bars installed in bathrooms and shower. Since I live alone it was an almost insurmountable task but I was blessed to keep my vision and would suffer with all the side effects to keep it. My treatment is through Mayo in Phoenix. Some of these side effects have disappeared and some still linger. I am on a blood thinner for my heart and am taking calcium, Nexium and assorted supplements per doctor's recommendation. I had bone density in the beginning and follow with thyroid blood checks, as well as everything else that Mayo checks with each blood draw before tapering..
My Prednisone Side Effects:
Insomnia
Creative mania
Physical mania
Fatigue
Auditory hallucinations (loved the music)
Neuropathy
Myopathy
Hair loss on head
Eyelash loss
Cushing syndrome
Super sensitive painful skin
Thin skin
Heart Palpitations
Tachycardia
Irregular heart rhythm
Shortness of breath
Night sweats
Day sweats
Trouble concentrating
Extreme thirst
Funny taste to all food
Difficulty swallowing from lumps on neck
Sores on tongue and gums
Unsteady gait
Balance issues
Swollen ankles
Joint pain in hip
Lower back pain (probably due to support huge stomach)
Skin splitting open
Hunger ALL the time
Bruises everywhere
Heartburn