← Return to Think I have Giant Cell Arteritis (or GCA)

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@dbyrne

Dear Marcia115: I started with headaches, fatigue, weight loss & jaw pain. Then one day I lost sight in my right eye; it came back in few minutes, then it happened again. My Dr. had me go to ER, she thought I may of had a mini stroke. Spent 4 days in hospital, many tests, cat scans, MRI, Drs thought it was Giant cell arteritis & that was confirmed by a biopsy of the artery along my hairline above my eye. I started on 60 milligrams of Prednisone daily, I am now down to 12.5, next week 10, & am waiting to start Actemra by injection.

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Replies to "Dear Marcia115: I started with headaches, fatigue, weight loss & jaw pain. Then one day I..."

Hi dbyme! Thank you for the information. How long did you have this before you
saw your doctor? Tell me about the biopsy do they put you out? does it hurt? what about
the MRI how does that work? I am 82 and I have to go through all of this!!! 60 MG. how long
on 60? did you gain weight from it? sorry for all the questions but you went through what I am
going through so I know what to expect. what is Actemra ? how long do you take that? How long does arteritis last?
Thank you for helping me.
marcia115