Temporal Arteritis

[Wayfair]

I was led to believe that I am being treated for PMR. Because I have a very sore skull and very limited neck movement, and it’s been ongoing, my GP sent me for another cpr blood test today. However he put temporal arthritis on the investigation. So I am confused is temporal arteritis GCA?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Yes - it is a dated name for it but still commonly used. Temporal arteritis suggests it only affects the temporal artery - while in fact, the temporal artery is just the most easily available artery to have a look at and that is why it is used for the biopsy.

[Wayfair in reply to PMRpro]

When I was diagnosed it was explained that as I already was taking 40 mgs of prednisolone an the biopsy was not necessary, even though I wanted it, as it wasn’t always accurate.So I was lead to believe I just had Pmr. So temporal arthritis must be GCA then? Since last December I tapered down to 8 pred. then back to 9 pred, and after my last reading have to increase back up to 10 due to the blood results.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Wayfair]

Did you have any GCA-type symptoms originally? 40mg is the bottom end of the dose range for GCA - but high for PMR. Sounds as if they couldn't decide.

[Wayfair in reply to Wayfair]

Was in such a lot of pain, thought my arthritis was playing up, then I had to go to the surgery in a wheelchair as I couldn’t walk. Blood test came back later that day the my crp was 28. Quickly went down after the pred started. I get a lot of facial pain, like neuralgia but the most debilitating pain feels like I’ve been hit by a brick on the back my head. Pain from shoulders, up my neck and worse pain over my skull.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Wayfair]

Some of those COULD be due to GCA - did they go with the 40mg dose?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

GCA is still referred to as Temporal Arteritis by some doctors - because it is the Temporal Artery that is used for the biopsy.

GCA can include arteries affected in the main torso, but as it is most normal in the neck head area it still gets called by the "old name" - which can be confusing.

[Wayfair in reply to DorsetLady]

I was under the impression that I was being treated for pmr and not gca, which it now appears that this is temporal arthritis then Rather confusing?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Wayfair]

Sounds to me that you may have PMR and GCA.

As PMRPRO says 40 mg is usually starting dose for GCA - and doctors were correct in saying that a biopsy may not have proved it as you were already on steroids. But obviously they didn’t explain that very well - or perhaps they weren’t certain. Whatever, it would seem they reduced you too quickly.

What dose are you on now?

[Wayfair in reply to DorsetLady]

Appreciate your comments. Now back up to 10.

[SheffieldJane]

That must have been a shock! I think you deserve a proper explanation from your doctor and a referral to a good Rheumatologist if that hasn’t happened already. Ensure that the “ hit on the back of the head by a brick” symptom is emphasised. As others have explained TA is the old name for GCA. You should have been the first to know.

[Wayfair in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you for your comments, really appreciated as I personally do not know anyone with PMR or GCA this site is brilliant and reassuring.