GCA symptom????help | Arthritis Information

I started having soreness in both my temple areas and my right jaw 2 days ago. No extreme headache or pain when chewing. Just soreness when touched. Could this be GCA? From what I've read most people have classic GCA symptoms which I am not.

As you know I am transitioning between rheumies right now, I tried to call both but am caught in a catch 22, neither has time and the new one didn't call back. I will be finding a new one ASAP.

Thanks and let me know

Hi Russellcat

I don't post very often on your forum but often read the posts and, having read your latest one, felt I had to 'pop in' about your GCA concerns.

I suffer from both PMR (4.5 years but undiagnosed for the first year) and GCA (3.5 years) and I am now down to a dose of 1mg daily from a starting dose of 40mgs.

My initial symptoms of GCA were severe head pain, blurred vision and facial swelling which over 4 weeks of remaining undiagnosed by several doctors led to jaw pain on chewing, nausea, sickness and weight loss.

It is important to check for a pulse in your temple area.

As you have been unable to make contact with either of your rheumies, is it not possible for you to go to an emergency centre and explain your symptoms and your fears of GCA? Even if you feel embarrassed by a negative answer, that is far better than the possible alternative to not doing anything: loss of eyesight which cannot be recovered.

I do wish you all the best for a good outcome.

russelcat

Celtic is right - download the GCA Guidelines from the www.pmr-gca-northeast.co.uk and take them with you to the nearest equivalent of the UK Accident and Emergency. Do not be put off - you want a Consultant and all A&E's have them.

The thing is that you have PMR and have been taking Prednisolone and that good be masking the other symptoms. So you may not have all the classic's just partial.

If you are wrong - who cares - eyesight is precious. I know, I cam within 24 hours of losing the lot.

Get cracking.

russelcat

typing error in the about delete 'good' insert 'could'.

Put it down to CRAFTs disease please.

Thanks for the replies Celtic & Mrs UK!

When checking the web for symptoms of sore temples they mentioned stress or anxiety headaches which I had alot of this past week so today I rested and really took it easy. Well it didn't work. My temples are not quite as sore but now I have a dull headache that isn't quitting with tylenol. I am also experiencing some not well feelings similar to when I started the whole PMR thing before steroids but not as bad. My neck & shoulders are achier and shouldn't be since it's been long enough since my last taper and it went well.

So anyway, I will be at Urgent Care tomorrow as soon as it opens. If anything drastic happens before it opens I will go to the emergency room. The ER costs more than UC so I'm gonna try to hold off until then. I never ever get headaches so this is very unusual.

This really stinks. I knew there was a chance of GCA but never thought I'd get it. Here in the US even with insurance we have deductibles & co-pays and I've had more than my share this year. With not working and having to fight for SSDI the money just keeps getting tighter. Oh, well, not much I can do about it.

I'll keep you posted when I get home tomorrow unless I have a miraculous recovery tonight.

Hello again Russellcat

You saying you "never ever get headaches so this is very unusual" were exactly the same words I used just before being diagnosed with GCA. Also, like you, I felt unwell with similar symptoms to the arrival of PMR the year before.

If you are diagnosed with GCA, it is a blow I know and I do so sympathise with you but do try and stay positive....you may not have it and even if you do then at least you know that it is something that you will catch in time before your sight is affected and you will recover with your eyesight intact, unlike some of those poor people who know nothing about PMR and just think they have a nasty headache that will eventually go away so do nothing until they suddenly can't see - we, with PMR, are forewarned and I consider myself one of the lucky ones and you will, too. The money side of it is obviously a blow but hey you can't put a price on your eyesight!

I'm thinking of you and hoping for that "miraculous recovery tonight" for you.

Very best wishes.

Well, I'm still alive and have my sight. I woke up today feeling better again. Not perfect but the headache is almost gone and the temples are better than yesterday which is much better than 3 days ago. I think it was a tension headache. whew!!!!

I know that stress is bad for PMR and I did really overdue it last week. My husband gave me heck for taking on too much. That whole ordeal was scarey and I will slow down.

Thank you for your concern and suggestions. I did print out information to take with me to the ER and will keep it on hand incase it is ever needed. It was good reading information for my husband because he didn't know anything about GCA.

I will be contacting a new rheumy on Monday. When I left a message with mine on Thurs. morning no one called back so I tried again on Friday morning and was told that she was only taking appts until Wednesday and that I'd have to call the new rheumy and tell them that I needed to be seen before November. I called the new rheumy and was told they couldn't see me until Sept 29th. I told them I was having symptoms of GCA and to please inform the doctor and to call me back with some guidance. Never heard from them either.

I haven't been happy with mine anyway. She didn't even let me try just prednisone for the PMR symptoms before pushing mtx on me. She is constantly telling I have to taper and get off the steroids regardless of the fact she landed me in the ER so sick I couldn't think anymore.

Wish me luck that I will get a good one!

Russellcat

Whew, indeed, for the miraculous overnight recovery! I'm really pleased for you - you've been through enough already. Could be a timely warning not to overdo things and get stressed. Take care and good luck with the new rheumy on Monday.