So far....today is not so bad, it is pretty good!

[Grammy80]

It is amazing how much I appreciate the days that aren't in the 'bad day' category. I was pretty busy, each Monday I go to a therapy session to combat the emotional side of wondering where this will end up? where I will end up? My husband of 31 years and I parted company in 2016 (it was the right thing) so I moved to Maine from Indiana. So, there have been a lot of adjustments and now with GCA there are alot of questions. I remind myself I do not have to find solutions for all of the questions today.

This afternoon I went to the nurse practitioner to have a few things checked. My legs and feet have been swelling suddenly....thank you methylprednsolone, I guess. The second issue was the left side of my face and those upper teeth are really sensitive. Is it GCA or is it my teeth. I'm trying to get a dental appointment in case it is my teeth. Since I have two crowns in that area I wondered, how do you handle dental work with an autoimmune disorder? He told me to have x-rays done and if work is necessary then have the dentist call the rheumatologist. Because of my hip replacement I've always had to premedicate but am much more concerned about infection now.

I don't want to make 'a big deal' out of everything...but there are so many times when I have symptoms I wonder....should I call....and I have an excellent pain tolerance. Now I have all of you to bounce things off of.....

But all in all...a good day. The results from my scans last week show no inflammation of the aorta or carotid arteries....YIPPEE there. I picked up a few stocking stuffers. I eat drink and sleep Christmas and I know all of you will be there when December 29 comes and my family leaves ;( . They want to have the BIG discussion about 'where I am safe'~!

So thankful I have this space to vent...listen...share...

ANTICIPATION.....my favorite part of this holiday.

[HeronNS]

Glad that in important ways you are recovering. I have found my teeth have been more sensitive since pred. Vitamin K2 has helped but not eliminated the problem. I believe pred has accelerated the gum recession which is one of the costs of living a long time and with dentin exposed the nerves are more vulnerable.

[Grammy80 in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you for that info...I'm still not sure which end result I would chose. :)???continuing sensitivity or a root canal??? HaHa....like my opinion matters...to be continued.

[SheffieldJane]

We will be here. You are doing well! Brave lady! Lots of insight into your condition. I have had various invasive dental procedures and all has been fine, I have a great, modern dentist. Seasons greetings! X

[Grammy80 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks so much....I'm relieved to hear that~!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I have never even thought about dental work being a problem because of PMR. I was concerned about a tooth extraction because of pred and being on an anticoagulant - the dentist wasn't and he was right! He has also done a root canal and ceramic inlay while I am on 15mg pred - no problems ast all even though there were bacteria in the root canal.

[Grammy80 in reply to PMRpro]

I really appreciate you sharing your experiences...it is the Actemra which shuts down the immune system that would concern me regarding infection even though I am still on 48 mg or pred per day. After talking to the Doctor I realized I don't have to 'solve' all the dental issues until I have a few x-rays....may be just the GCA causing the dental pain. I'm not excited about that....but it beats a root canal. Have a great day...xo

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Grammy80]

A really good plan with PMG/GCA/pred/Actemra is to only worry about crossing bridges when you get to them

[Grammy80 in reply to PMRpro]

I'm learning....

[Grammy80]

A lot of good info....thank you~! When I had my initial hip replacement 20 years ago I was told then to NEVER have a cleaning or procedure without premedicating with an antibiotic. The way it was explained to me was since 'parts' are metal 'non-living' places in our bodies that any bacteria would head to the metal and multiply faster than rabbits. Me? I'd rather take a few capsules than take a chance.

I like the idea of cleanings and checks every three months. I used to work for a dentist and orthodontist 'in my youth' and have a lot of crowns and bridgework I'd like to protect. I'm also fortunate that in the states where a cleaning is $200 outrageous! ...I have dental insurance. I pay $50 a month and I have a $50 deductible so it is worth it.

Have a great day!!

[nuigini]

Gosh it appears a lot of PMR/prednisone folks have had dental issues. Not to brag, but simply to inform, and hopefully not jinx myself, I've had no issues after almost six years. I can't say I've had the regular 6 month check ups, more like 12 to 18 months, but haven't had any problems with teeth or gums. The only work I had done was to get the few old metal fillings removed and replaced.

My husband, on the other had, has had many crowns in this same time period and is beginning to suffer receding gums as is my 34 year old daughter-in-law. I think our genes play more of a role than anything else.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to nuigini]

I have had no problems either in over 10 years. But there have been quite a few people who have. Like you, I suspect though that it is history that contributes just as much as pred.

[Grammy80 in reply to nuigini]

I don't really think the prednisone caused my dental issue but do think it masked what was going on because it wasn't until I began the taper that the teeth became painful...I would rather have it be my teeth than caused by the GCA and have the pain for keeps~!

[Grammy80]

Fortunately I have insurance also....I'm so happy it was my teeth and not the GCA~!!!