38 year on woman temple arthritis

[narshaee]

Hi I am a 38 year old woman and my doctor believes I have temple arthritis I have all the symptoms and have MRI on Tuesday blood test show inflammation. I am worried why I was in the chair he rang the specialist asking for a emergency appointment told them what was happening and they said they will call me asap but they didn't. The doctor explained how serious this is he gave me some steroids to take. The pain is horrible I feel like Crap my vision is blurry not to bad though I am exhausted my head eyes body is sore. I don't know if I should wait For specialist to call me it's now 1.15am Saturday here so it could be a few days. I am scared I am a mum and I am worried any advice suggestions to help calm me I would appreciate 🙏🏻

[jinasc]

How many steroids, 60mg or less?

I take it you are not in the UK. As it is Friday 15.23pm here in the UK.

Follow this link and read and download and you can look and read the rest whenever.

pmr-gca-northeast.org.uk/us... takes you to the Diagnosis and Treatment of GCA.

You need to learn fast...........the people on here can help.

Me: GCA 5 years, remission into 7th year on 1 Jan 2018.

[narshaee in reply to jinasc]

Thank you Jinasc I will look now

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to narshaee]

Where are you narshaee?

[narshaee in reply to PMRpro]

Hi I am in Australia near Sydney

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to narshaee]

Not sure how the Aus system works - but I assume you have an ER/ED at the hospital? If you feel worse or have any visual symptoms do please go as an emergency and tell them what your GP has said. In the meantime, try not to worry too much.

You haven't said what dose your GP gave you? Has it helped with the symptoms?

[narshaee in reply to PMRpro]

my vision comes and goes so that why I don't know if I should go to the hospital. the dosage is 25 one tablet a day I feel I am getting worse. I will go back to the doctors when he opens just to make sure. Thakl you

[Soraya_PMR in reply to narshaee]

25 mg sounds too low for suspected GCA to me, thought the dose was 40-60mg daily.

If you are still having dodgy vision despite the 25mg, I think you need to be seen sooner rather than later, and if that means a trip to the ER, then so be it, for safety’s sake.

[narshaee in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Yes I agree I am going soon i feel horrible thanks hin

[Soraya_PMR in reply to narshaee]

Good luck. Come back and let us know how it goes. Thinking of you x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to narshaee]

You must go to the ER now - if you have visual problems that needs immediate attention. 25mg is not high enough if you do have GCA - 40mg is the bottom end of the range for that.

Sorry I've been away so long - I was having my dinner here in Europe.

[narshaee in reply to PMRpro]

That's fine I feel asleep I appreciate your help

[SheffieldJane]

Hi narshaee,

I am really sorry this has happened to you! Glad your doctor could see past the typical demographic for this. Glad it has been caught!

Did auto correct make it Arthritis and you have Arteritis ? Quite different of course.

Hopefully your pain will relieve soon. Gosh it must be hard being a hands on mum with GCA.

There is a lot of expertise on here, so fire away with your questions.

The main danger for Giant Cell Arteritis sufferers is to your eyesight as will have been explained to you, hence the huge dose of steroids that is making you feel terrible. I hope you are surrounded by willing hands to help you, you will need help. The good news is that this condition does not last forever and can be controlled in the meantime.

[narshaee in reply to SheffieldJane]

Hi I am not sure I will find the right word

Thank you i have a huge family plenty of help and support 🙏🏻

[Rugger in reply to narshaee]

It's Temporal Arteritis - also known as Giant Cell Arteritis.

I hope by now you will have been seen as an emergency and given the correct treatment for whatever they have diagnosed.

It's good to hear you have the support of your family.

Take care.

[Grants148]

Hi narsharee,l would go as soon as possible to A&E,l think your blurred vision has to be treated very quickly .l believe you need a very high dose of steroids to protect your sight. All the best,l hope you will be OK soon,xx

[narshaee]

Thanks babe going now 🙏🏻

[sondya]

Hi Narshee - your doctor is right and glad he put on steroids immediately. It's a start. Though wondered why he didn't get you seen by the emergency diagnostic unit in a Sydney hospital. The temporary loss of vision means your eyes are being starved of blood due to temporal artery inflammation. Untreated, it could mean permanent loss of vision in one eye. At your age (or at any age) this is a tragedy as it is avoidable. I had these, partial temporary loss of vision, colourful auras which scared the $%#t out of me. Remember, if you are diagnosed with GCA, it is utterly treatable and manageable. Once the headaches have gone, the only annoyance is dealing with side-effects of the drugs, which, in time will also disappear.

Take care.

[Soraya_PMR]

How are you doing narshaee?

[Carrollee]

Hi Narshaee

Just wondering how you got on. I followed your post Saturday and all the replies and like many am a little concerned about how you are. I hope you were listened to at the hospital and given reassuring treatment. Please let us know how you got on if you are able too. I hope this doesn't sound nosey but you did seem in a bad way. Am sure your big family is caring for you. All the best cc 🍄 🤗🍄