Up date not GCA xx | Arthritis Information

Finally have the results ect of my TA biopsy, saw my Rheumy and GCA is off the radar as the results were not positive. Have to be glad about that!

I have been miserable ... still the same complaints / symptoms but with added pain in my left hip. Xray shows degeneration ect. These past weeks pain has been in both my front leg muscles . Waddle when I start to walk and ache/pain all night. Sweating still bothering me.

My GP thought I might be depressed #$ ^## REALLY !!! No not me!!

Begrudgingly took the med Lexapro.... within days I was depressed could hardly hold my head up let alone hold a conversation. After 2 weeks waiting to feel Better... Stopped!

When I saw Rheumy last week he changed my medications.

I am at 2 mgs Pred , stay there until I see him.

Stay on Plaquenil, Nexium, Temaze and Folic Acid.

Decrease Tramadol to 100 mgs a day and then stop....

Up MTX to 15mgs a week,

take 5 Ostelin Vit D Tablets instead of 1 a day.

Also added Uremide ( Blood pressure ) and Endep 50mg at night.

He told me Endep in larger doses is used for depression but can also help with nerve pain in the muscles. Oh well here we go again, or so I thought.

Today is day 3 on Endep and I do feel better! I have not sweated! >>> I have every thing crossed XXXX

To all the " Newbies here" Welcome.... In short I am in 4th Year of this PMR THING A ME!

Keep asking, venting ect, this forum has been a Best Friend to me for a long time! I truly hope yours will be a short stay!!

Hugs to all, Lyn

Lynn, I hope you have put all those meds into one of the cross-effect checks that are available on the web. Lyn

I could not agree more with Bob, my pharmacist cross checks each new medication I am prescibed. Twice in the past two years, the pharmacist has contradicted my GP and advised another drug that was compatible. Neither of the drugs issued by the GP were for GCA but for other problems. Pharmacists no more about drugs than anyone else.

Lyn apart from the above, can you tell me what where the symptoms that led you to a TA Biopsy? You can contact me by leaving a message on this site.

Lynn, Google "drug interaction checker" to get a website. One of those is www.drugs.com, and click on the drug interaction box at the top. Like Mrs. UK suggests, everyone should check their meds this way.Hi Mrs UK

Early days before diagnosis along with numerous elevated blood markers , I had bad headaches, tender head especially when washing or brushing my hair also visual disturbance... coloured ,flashing, lightening, zig zag lights in one or both eyes ( optometrist said this was a migrane).

I am now seeing my 4th Rheumy and althou GCA - TA Biopsy was talked of in letters to my GP, from the other Rheumys, this test had not been done.

The Rheumy I now see wanted TA Biopsy done, to eliminate or diagnose, in regard to my future care.

I am aware of the contraindications of all these drugs and hope to be finished with Tramadol and Pred in the next few weeks. Thanks for your concern!

Hugs Lyn

Thanks Bob W.... I have checked out my meds on this site before but not for a while. Thanks for reminding me. I am aware of the contraindications of all these drugs and plan to be off some of them.... Tramadol and Pred ASAP!!

How are you coping?

Kind regards, Lyn

Lyn...I sure hope things will straighten out for you soon and there will be smooth sailing the rest of the way. You have been through quite enough already.

Thanks Pat for you good wishes... we have both been around here long enough to have sailed around the world a few times.

Remember when one of our group got a boat together, I was too miserable to join in then! I hope they have all landed.

I occassionally read the RA thread, a lot more action on and I often pick up good info.

Hope you are managing Ok! with Fibro.

I have a friend who has had Fibro for years, she only in her 40's now and its been a rocky trip for her!

Hugs, Lyn