Connect
← Return to GCA (Giant Cell Arteritis) and PMR (polymyalgia rheumatica)
Discussion
GCA (Giant Cell Arteritis) and PMR (polymyalgia rheumatica)
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Oct 25 10:20am | Replies (277)Comment receiving replies
Hi @joan7, I had a temporal artery biopsy done on my right side - since that's where my symptoms were. I had symptoms of PMR, and later GCA, for a year before disagnosis, following an ankle injury. The biopsy was positive - I was put on 40 mg of prednisone, tapering down 5mg every two weeks.
The rheumatologist also sent me for a Dexa scan, I guess because prednisone weakens the bones. I hadn't had one for ten years and I was diagnosed with osteoporosis as well. That concerned me more than the GCA, and I went on Alendronate.
I found it difficult to sleep on the higher doses of prednisone. It gave me lots of energy and a motor mouth. It took care of most of my symptoms. I just continued to exercise, with care and targeted for Osteoporosis, and eat well, no processed foods. I used an infrared lamp and infrared heating pad for comfort when I needed it.
Prednisone took care of the GCA and I' ve been off it for 10 months.
If you like Yoga, Dr. Lauren Fishman has a program that builds bone density, 12 Poses vs Osteoporosis and Dr. Alyssa Kuhn, has exercise programs for osteoporosis and arthritis. All the videos are available on YouTube.
My mother-in-law got GCA in her late 80s and lived to be nearly 100.
On thing my rheumatologist prescribed - a low dose aspirin everyday as people with GCA can later get aortic aneurysms.
I wish you the best.
Replies to "Hi @joan7, I had a temporal artery biopsy done on my right side - since that's..."
Connect
Thank you so much for sharing your journey regarding your PMR/GCA. I'm not only going to keep the doctors in mind, but also make myself a running list of things that I can do to improve my health that you have listed above. What I found fascinating right off the bat, which you may think is odd, is that you had a ankle injury prior to your diagnosis. I'm currently hobbling around with a torn meniscus root and fracture in my left knee, which was happened prior to my diagnosis. Unfortunately, the biopsy has taken priority over my having knee surgery this Friday, so I had to cancel and was told to reschedule when I am more stable with everything else going on with my PMR and possibly GCA. I have been taking Calcium and Vitamin D every day since I was diagnosed in my 50's with Osteopenia. I also have been taking Boniva once a month, to top it off.
I take low dose aspirin probably for the past 8 years, so I think for now I have everything covered. Definitely will look into the Yoga once my knee is repaired (right now I have trouble tying my shoes, because I can't bend my knee too well or cross my legs). I've been able to walk finally without crutches just with a knee brace on, but it's been a challenge to get to that point. Still get pain if I move wrong or do too much (learning to slow down, although the Prednisone is speeding me up). Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. Once I get my test results back for GCA, and will provide an update. Thanks again!