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

Discussion

Think I have Giant Cell Arteritis (or GCA)

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jan 30 8:20pm | Replies (70)
Comment receiving replies
@marcia115

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

Jump to this post

Replies to "Hi dbyme! Thank you for the information. How long did you have this before you saw..."
dbyrne | @dbyrne | Sep 18, 2023

I saw my PCP twice, it was my ophthalmologist who sent me to ER when I lost sight in my eye. The biopsy was done at outpatient surgical center & I was put out, it was quick & painless. MRI was done in hospital, just my head went in, no big deal, I was on 60 mags prednisone for 4 weeks, I did gain weight, but I lost weight before diagnosis, so now I’m at my normal weight. Actemra is the medication my rheumatologist wants me to take so I can go off the prednisone. You take it by injection or infusion, I will do injection. Haven’t started it yet, it is being delivered next week, I will do injection myself. I think you stay on it for awhile, I don’t know if arteritis ever goes away completely. I am 72 years old. Don’t mind your questions, I had so many myself, still do.

VIEW AND REPLY