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Medications for Temporal Arteritis/Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
Anyone out there who has been diagnosed with Temperol Arteritis (Giant Cell Arteritis). I am undergoing testing and most likely have it. Would like to know how anyone is doing with it and what type of medications they use and any side effects, etc.
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Oh my you really hit the jackpot! Good luck and hope you remain med free. Thanks for sharing .
I am still on five mg and it s been a long journey for me
Thank you for your commentary. Mine has subsided....I believe that I have a very marginal variety....which I am thankful for given the comments from everyone else on this board. I have been drinking more water and have lost some weight which may or may not attribute to my loss of symptoms. I know that it could possibly flare up at any given time, but for now I am enjoying feeling okay.
So glad to hear that. Charann. I have had no flare ups with the GCA but MRIs show irs still there. Take care and wish you the best. Carol
What part of you are they MRI'ing?
My neurologist diagnosed me by phone when I described my symptoms...I thought I had sinus symptoms but when I had a strange sensation of "fluid" starting at the top of my head and flowing
Down to my chin plus other symptoms he told me I had Giant Cell.....And all I could take was Tylenol.
I understand Prednesone ? Can have serious side effects... but I would try it if prescribed....
Also like other people I have other medical problems.....I have Adhesions and told by a General Surgeon that when I cannot have a Bowel Movement and Vomit....Get to Emergency ASAP.
I am trying to survive on mostly LIQUIDS because of this and for the Icing on the CAKE... I fell a few weeks ago and Broke My Wrist and l am waiting to hear from another Dr to arrange to have my
Thyroid operated on.
OPEN to Any and All Suggestions.
Thanks for your Interest
Hello,
Sorry to hear of all your medical conditions. Adhesions can form after G.i. Track surgery. Have you seen a gastroenterologist, besides your surgeon.does the surgeon want to remove the adhesions, which is scar tissue. Is it possible to hold off on thyroid surgery until your wrist heals..?
You have a lot going on right now.
You did not mention your age, but guessing over 65???
I’ve taken a few too many tumbles myself, so I understand the need to be super careful.
I would start with your general surgeon, and also see if latest surgery can wait. I’m sure you are getting X-rays of your wrist, and will need physical therapy.
Keep us posted.
Take care,
Funcountess
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1 Reaction@tootstilbury As you just mentioned adhesions from GI tract surgery, I'd like to invite @thull to this conversation. She has had a specific surgery at Mayo Clinic for that problem. Perhaps she can fill you in on that.
Was your surgery in the colon or in the upper digestive tract?
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2 ReactionsBless you as you have many issues ! I thought you had to have a biopsy to be sure about g a .
I had 4 abdominal surgeries within 12 months. After the second one to reverse a temporary colostomy, I got a blockage in my small intestine from adhesions. I was in the hospital for 17 days.They opened me back up on day 11 to try and get to the blockage but the surgeon said the adhesions were so bad, it looked like a bottle of white glue had been poured over my intestines. They couldn’t do anything but close me back up. By day 15, they did another enema with contrast and that seemed to help open things up some, but I went home with a PICC line, on TPN and a drain coming out of my stomach. Not fun. Finally after about 10 days, and doing some gentle abdominal massage, things literally blew open, and I was totally cleaned out! I really believe the massaging of my abdomen helped kind of unstick my intestines and get things moving. I was very gentle, though, as I had a giant incision to deal with.
Unfortunately, about 2 1/2 months later, the diverticulitis came back, went to ER, got antibiotics, then home. 2 weeks later, back in ER and blockage was so bad, I had to be admitted. In for 7 days, then got to come home for Christmas on clear liquids only. Boost Breeze was a great find, good tasting, 250 calories and 9 grams of protein per serving.
I had to order it from Amazon. I would highly recommend it for the times when you need to just do clear liquids, but need some good nutrition. After Christmas was over, they brought me back in for more surgery and ended up doing Deloyers procedure. The adhesions were still so bad, they had to switch from laparoscopic to opening me all the way back up. They spent 2+ hours laising all the adhesions and perforated the small bowel in the process. Surgery ended up being 6+ hours. 5th surgery was March 1, 2019 to do a scar revision where they had closed the colostomy site. With the 3 & 4th surgeries, it had started pulling and buckling that area and it became uncomfortable. Luckily, that was outpatient.
Feeling pretty good now, just careful with the diet. Low residue is what works best for me
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2 ReactionsHello Thull
My goodness, you have been thru so much. My husband had diverticulosis, he would be given antibiotics, and told to watch his diet.
He was about 40-42 with his first attack, and second attack at about age 50s or so.
He never had surgery.
He was a big junk food eater,I had no control over his junk food since he ate it at work, he knew I did not approve of his eating habits.he eventually cleaned up his eating habits.
I hope you stay on the road to recovery. You are young at 55.
Take care
Stay well,
Funcountess
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