What is it ????

[Maggiemuffins]

Hi all:

So I’ve been having pain in left temporal artery now since mid April and scalp tenderness. Went to ER a few times and drs suspect its GCA. I’m awaiting MRI and possibly biopsy but uneasy about that procedure.

My ESR and C reactive tests are normal. I’m on a low dose of prednisone until I see my regular doctor tomorrow.

Anyhow my ? Is my pain is now in the right side close to or in the carotid artery . Can this still be GCA ?? It seems the pain is traveling now . I wish it would pack up and leave my body once and for all !!! Lol. Thoughts or advice would be appreciated. Thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

GCA does not only affect the temporal artery - it can affect the carotids too as well as arteries throughout the chest and abdomen in some cases.

I do hope the MRI is to be one with a contrast substance as plain MRI does not show anything but using contrast makes it quite reliable - providing steroids have been used for less than 5 days beforehand.

There really isn't much else to say until they have made a decision - once you have a diagnosis and treatment plan you will get a load of help and advice here so don't disappear.

[Daylily2000 in reply to PMRpro]

Provided steroids have been used for less than 5 days beforehand? Please explain. You must stop all prednisone 5 days before mri?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Daylily2000]

No - you should have taken pred for less than 5 days in total before the MRI is carried out. If you have been on pred for more than 5 days by the time the MRI is done it won't give a reliable result as the inflammation they are looking for will already have been suppressed by the pred so it must be done quickly to be meaningful.

[Hindags]

Please urge them to do the MRI with contrast as per PMRpro in lieu of biopsy if they have the ability to do that. academic.oup.com/rheumatolo...