Thank you UK !

[grannma]

I am so thankful for UK forums! I have GCA and do not not have access of information in US as I get from UK !

[polkadotcom]

and thank you granma. You could always have a look at the Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins sites?

[1Purplecrow]

Hi grannma, i'm from Washington state, US. I agree with you regarding this forum. I have found no other interactive source of info for PMR. Very appreciative of the freely shared knowledge and experience.

[daveD]

the same goes for this side of the big pond.with out these Forums most of us would be up the creek with out a paddle so to speak. So please keep up the good work girls. take care one and all.Dave.

[epsharp]

I want to join in saying "thank you" to all who have provided important information to those of us who are newly diagnosed. This is my first post in the forum. I had never heard of PMR/GCA, nor had any of my friends. Soon after turning 67 last October, I felt fine on Saturday and literally overnight felt lethargic and slight pain. Went to my GP/primary doc, who referred me to an Infectious Disease doc and had multiple blood tests/MRIs/MRAs that ruled out MS and other conditions. My symptoms worsened with pain so debilitating I couldn't get out of bed or dress myself. It wasn't until Dec 10th that I got a diagnosis of PMR from a rheumatologist. She described GCA and initially said she would monitor me because I didn't have the classic symptoms. She called me 45 min after leaving her office, and said my records indicated continuous, mild headaches and recommended an immediate temporal biopsy as a precaution. (I had general anesthesia and no pain afterward.) I was genuinely shocked when told I did have GCA. This forum has educated me and made me realize there are a lot more people suffering from this condition and that I'm not alone. (I live in the Missouri/USA.)

[grannma]

Thank you polkadotcom... I will check on John Hopkins. I have experienced stress causing my temple and facial arteries to harden. I get a slight headache and then when I am able to calm down... it becomes better. I have GCA and am at 35mg of prednisone now. I also experience cognitive confusion at times... Curious if it is GCA or prednisone and will it go away? It would be interesting to know if stress affects the condition.....