Arteries: should I be seeing them?

[Blurry62]

Hi all! GCA since Feb 2018 ....

Currently on the dsns taper at 19/18.5 mg. Here's the thing; I'm seeing arteries on my forehead I've never seen before. Everything is completely flat; it's just that they're visible where they were not. I also have a new one bulging on my hand.

I have had transient head pain during this leg of the taper and settled into the 19mg. for awhile before challenging my body to accept the 18.5 again. These pains are significant but, are usually resolved with Tylenol.

What do you think? Is this indicative of a flare?

Has this happened to anyone else?

Thank you everyone!

[Hidden]

Hi blurry62, I have found all my arteries are more visible and in places do seem intermittently more prominent. It could be thinning skin and of course pmr and gca are vascular so I presume weird and wonderful things might be happening! That said.... If you are at all concerned see the dr/rheumy and just ask about them. I "just" have pmr and I think anything on the head would make me feel vulnerable so best to be safe and reassured. Hopefully gca peeps will be helpful.

[Blurry62 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the input.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

If the pains are helped by Tylenol, then probably not GCA flare, but for peace of mind I would get things checked out.

[fmkkm]

Hi

GCA about 4 years now, on 4 mg pred. When I have a flare my left temporal artery pops out a bit. I’ve always had visible hand veins not related to GCA.

[Blurry62 in reply to fmkkm]

When first diagnosed, I had a large L shaped bulging artery on my forehead. With prednisone treatment it went away completely. So I understand what you're saying.

No bulging yet. Hopefully not gonna happen. Thank you.

[Smokygirl in reply to Blurry62]

Me too. ( PMR three months of Pred} The ones each side of my head on my temples have disappeared, but they have stuck out for years on my neck and are still there ( had ultrasound to check them out) and leg varicose veins are much much worse since Pred!

[Sho-Sho]

I have had GCA for over 3 years now on 6.5mg struggling to reduce from this dose.

When I get tired the Temporal artery area over my left eye where I had the biopsy, often feels very tender and raised, also get quite headachy, but I know it's not flaring, paracetamol helps - and rest!

[Blurry62 in reply to Sho-Sho]

Really? When you get tired? I mean, I'm hearing this for the first time. GCA stinks. It's always another thing around the bend. Thank you for answering.

[jinasc]

Go see your medics - GCA is the largest member of the LVV (Large Vessel Vasculitis) family. It can affect other vessels. Best get it checked.

I was automatically sent for a check on Aorta and Pulmonary, 2 years into GCA. I had an excellent Rheumatologist.

[Blurry62]

Got it.

Had the same tests you did about 9 months ago. I'll ask about repeats.

[alvertta in reply to Blurry62]

I am having them annually. Into my second set as one full year has passed. Had aorta MRI. Bone density next.

[Blurry62 in reply to alvertta]

Ok. Thanks!

[stiff19]

I get a vein keep coming and going in middle of forehead and my my hands / palms and since last time of flare of symptoms I have two prominent blue ones on leg and strangely when I went to see someone about breathing she said can I just look at that vein in your neck. She did blood test said just low vit d and never mentioned again.

Must point out I have no diagnosis but get numerous symptoms.

[Blurry62 in reply to stiff19]

Artery coming and going would alarm me. That was my first huge visual clue about my GCA. My blood work has been normal since diagnosis with a biopsy.

Doctor said if there's no pulse , it's likely to be a vein rather than an artery on my hand. However, that forehead thing you've got going on is something I'd encourage you to create a new post about. Get more input from the forum regarding that please.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to stiff19]

I'm somewhat confused how anyone could diagnose low vit D from the external appearance of an artery!

[Blurry62 in reply to PMRpro]

I have never heard of such a thing.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blurry62]

Me neither!