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Replies to "Thank you. My rheumatologist informed me that there’s a very high false negative result from the..."
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jan 10 8:56pm | Replies (10)
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Thank you. My rheumatologist informed me that there’s a very high false negative result from the biopsy and therefore recommended the MRI. Unfortunately, (or maybe fortunately) the MRI did not reveal anything. However, I do have tenderness in my temple area. And the fatigue is pretty awful. The rheumatologist does not think, or at least understand the correlation between head drop that I seem to suffer from and either CGA or PMR. I hope it’s not something else entirely.
Replies to "Thank you. My rheumatologist informed me that there’s a very high false negative result from the..."
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Hi @steinmo, I've read that the temporal artery biopsy is the best technique for diagnosing GCA and haven't heard of an MRI being used.
I didn't have head or neck drop, but an extremely stiff neck. I couldn't turn my head. Also, extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, a dry cough, sensitivity to the sun, some visual disturbance in my right eye, tender scalp, short stabbing pains from my ear to my nose (25 in a day) on the right side. and severe itching, no rash, on my torso.
GCA can present differently. My mother-in-law had it and her symptoms were night sweats, problems chewing, a boring headache; also, extreme fatigue. I was very familiar with her GCA, but never imagined I had it when I experienced my symptoms.
How are your inflammation markers from blood tests - CRP and ESR?
Has the highervdosage of prtednisone relieved your symptoms at all?
If not, it could be something else.
Also, you may want to consider asking your doctor to reviist the possibility of a temporal aretery biopsy.
I wish you the best.