Hello all and @johnbishop for those with questions about PMR AND GCA . i found a very new manuscript proposing this "emerging opinion" : Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) are closely related conditions characterized by systemic inflammation, a predominant IL-6 signature, an excellent response to glucocorticoids, a tendency to a chronic and relapsing course, and older age of the affected population. This Review highlights the emerging view that these diseases should be approached as linked conditions, unified under the term GCA–PMR spectrum disease (GPSD).

Nature Reviews Rheumatology | Volume 19 | July 2023 | 446–459
450
note the statement about "loss of interest from specialists! " sigh :
Subclassification of PMR. As mentioned earlier, PMR can be a mani- festation of GCA but it might also present clinically as an isolated entity that can either remain as such or progress to overt GCA77. For many years, PMR was dubbed ‘little GCA’, and this underestimation of its importance led to a loss of interest from specialists and the relegation of PMR to non-specialist care. In actuality, the polymyalgic syndrome of proximal pain and stiffness is often complex, with many mimics and different grades of severity that deserve specialist care99. These clues, essentially the presence of persistent systemic inflammation, have been mentioned earlier.

@charlotte61 when were you diagnosed with PMR ? May i ask if your PCP or Rheumatologist asked if you have had headaches , pain when chewing etc ? When my doctors asked this - i knew from my reading that they were "checking for signs of GCA" . Here in Boston there is a fast track clinic for GCA- Perhaps just your overall awareness might be enough to allay your concerns ? And knowing that you should go to emergency room perhaps if you experience those symptoms? i guess what i am saying is that is my approach : )

i'll mention this to illustrate the progress in this field _ My cousin had PMR about 12 years ago - he never was warned about GCA -still has never heard of it ! My former boss had GCA about ten years ago ! She had never heard of PMR until i mentioned to her my Dx of PMR !! When we mention my PMR Dx to the optometrist - he knows about GCA !

i just rediscovered the Clinical medicine review attached below.