I fear that getting much more than the prescriptions for pred, referrals if required and blood tests you are unlikely to get much support from a GP practice.
Has your move gone well? Is the new employer more human than the last one?
OTOH - look at it as a wonderful opportunity to educate them! PMR is said by some to be the most common cause of inflammatory rheumatic symptoms in over
60s. And it is also said to be more common along the south of England than elsewhere - probably reflecting the fact people retire there. So he really should be more aware ...
Just an update on my visit to A&E this afternoon,it was a good job I went when I did!i have got GCA!
I ve had blood tests and seen nurses,doctors,specialist eye doctor 2 of them,and have been put on 60mg of preds.
Have also been told I will be checked every 6 months for changes in both my eyes,I will receive an appointment next week for the rheumatologist.got there at about 3 30 and now just got home.
Fingers crossed the rheumatologist is understanding?
I did have that at the back of my mind when I asked about your eye - combined with the resistance of your symptoms. I was pleased you were being sent.
However - despite the rather dodgy start with the first doctor, the one who sent you to A&E obviously has their head screwed on the right way! I'm impressed.
If you haven't already done so - put up a new thread so the GCA experts see.
Don't be too concerned about your doctor's lack of knowledge. Once I'd been diagnosed with PMR, my next appointment was with a new young doctor who kept referring to a medical dictionary when he had to make a decision about tapering. It worked out all right as he was a diligent doctor and he insisted on seeing me on a regular basis. It was a bit disconcerting to watch him leafing through the dictionary, but his tapering worked out well.
I'm glad you got prompt treatment at the hospital for your GCA I know how nerve wracking it can be. Rheumatologists can be a bit of a lucky dip - hope you get a good one. I ended up being referred to a neurologist as some doubts were raised when I had a flare but he confirmed the diagnosis.
I'm in Worthing and wonder which surgery you're at. I'm at Victoria Road and always try to book with one doctor if I can get an appointment with him. I transferred from Worthing Medical Centre a year or so ago and have not regretted it.
I belong to the Worthing support group but couldn't get to many meetings even before lockdown. However, there was an excellent Zoom meeting for the Kent, Sussex and Surrey Groups earlier this week and another is planned in a couple of weeks so when I get details I could pass them on to you if you.re feeling a little better by then.
Hope you manage to get some sleep on your high dose - thank goodness they recognised it for what it is.
Lovely to hear from you,thank you for getting in touch.
I m afraid I m at your old surgery!!
As I live just down the road!
One lady doctor seems ok,she was the one who sent me up to A&E,so I like you am trying to keep with her.
I haven’t seen any rheumatologist yet,it was all been done through my ophthalmologist at A&E,
Had blood s taken told nothing showed up because I was already taking preds,so it has masked it,but I have pain on my head,blurring of my right eye,and wow a very painful headache over that eye and sore down the right side of my face.
So they put me up to 60 mg of preds right away and now I feel so much better,amazing!
I m glad I went now as I was feeling bad and didn t fancy the walk or drive up there feeling with such a headache,it just would go!
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Just diagnosed and feeling fed up
Post Covid flare up and doctors! 
Flare up PMR extreme fatigue 
Up-date my situation and need help 
Methotrexate and ophthalmology follow up
