Hi from a newbie

[Helipad]

Last August I was diagnosed with GCA and Polymyalgia and have been attending Rheumatology for this. I had an appointment last week with them and they now say I have Fibromyalgia and not Polymyalgia as they first thought, at least now I know why the treatment for the GCA, which is lots of steroids, was not helping with the body pain and terrible fatigue. I was so pleased to find this forum as I know the best advice, guidance and just general understanding comes from people who know exactly what you’re going through.

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer]

Welcome! It definitely helps to have a firm diagnosis to figure out the best treatment. We all understand the terrible fatigue and pain. Sometimes it is sad to read about a really bad day or episode another person is having, but in general we all benefit from learning experiences from others.

[Helipad in reply to LisaSnow]

Yes that is exactly what I have found from the forum for GCA. Thank you

[Cat00]

My mother has had Polymyalgia for the last three years. She has Osteoporosis aswell so the steroids were a constant worry. They were toying with saying she might have fibro aswell but fortunately she finally seems to be recovering. At least fibro isn't supposed to be as bad for you as inflamation even if it isnt exactly marvellous to be diagnosed with it!

[Helipad in reply to Cat00]

Thank you and nice to hear you’re mum is recovering. I do seem to have a bit of everything as GCA is an inflammation of all my main arteries from the chest upwards, with most of them located in my head 🤦🏽‍♀️

[Cat00 in reply to Helipad]

Is that the Giant Cell thing that everyone was so worried my mother would developed? Both my mother and me have migraines so it's harder to spot.

[Helipad in reply to Cat00]

Yes it is Giant Cell Arteritis, it’s another really weird and horrible condition and as you say when you have other conditions going on can be tricky to spot. Luckily for me my doctor is amazing so it was caught just in time as I was already having vision problems.