1. I have GCA and RA (although it could be PMR) how would I know the difference? One rheumy told me RA and the other said PMR and one said gout. My muscles and joints get so sore and I am feeling exhausted most of the time. Also, I have never experienced jaw pain associated with GCA , maybe I don't have that either??? Wishful thinking I'm sure.
2. Does anyone have teary eyes from GCA? My eyes have been leaking for months now and I can't figure out why. I haven't been able to wear eye makeup for 6 months now. I thought allergies, but I have no other symptoms. Just wondered if there is a connection. I will be seeing my neurologist on Monday so hopefully he can shed some light on it. I appreciate your feedback.
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Sally001
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If you have GCA and muscle symptoms it is more likely to be PMR as PMR can be part of the symptomatic of GCA - BUT that doesn't usually affect joints. Gout on the other hand is usually quite a clear diagnosis. Do you have hot swollen joints? Is there any sign of joint erosion on imaging? What are the grounds for saying RA?
The teary eyes is probably due to dry eye syndrome - not necessarily GCA, it is not uncommon alongside many autoimmune disorders. The eye isn't producing the usual thick viscous tears that keep the surface of the eye healthy so more thinner tears are produced to compensate but they then overflow and make "tears". Liposomal eye sprays or artificial tears often help and most opticians and pharmacies can advise on options.
Thanks PMRpro. All I know is that sometimes my hip, groin and leg muscles feel like I've been hit with a baseball bat - so sore, and at times I've had to wear a wrist brace because my wrist was so swollen and painful. It is more muscle than joint pain but there is some joint pain. There were no signs of joint erosion on imaging.
In the 80's I was hospitalized and was put through a battery of tests and the neurologists falsely diagnosed me as having MS. After 4 years and more tests they decided they were wrong. That was a terrible ordeal to go through thinking that I had MS. I had blurred vision, slurred speech, unsteady balance and later was paralyzed from the arm pits down - that lasted for 3 weeks then went away, but still had to use a cane periodically for a few years after, so I can see why they thought that then, but they still haven't figured out what really trigged all of this. I haven't had to use a cane for over 25 years which is good but still leaves a lot of unanswered questions.
Thanks for your advice regarding dry eye syndrome too; I will definitely look into this (no pun intended LOL).
Interesting - in my mid-20s I had something strange that in retrospect ticks all the boxes for ME. The worst part lasted about 6 months and then slowly the fatigue improved over the following 4 years or so. There were other very vague fatigue episodes until I went on HRT in my mid 30s and then just a few months after stopping that in my early 50s PMR appeared. Nothing as scary as you had though. Is this all just an autoimmune journey?
It does make one wonder if the diagnosis' are correct doesn't it. It sounds like you have had quite a time too. It seems to be an autoimmune journey but the GCA is real. I will update when I come back from the neurologist; it'll be interesting to see what he has to say. I did look at Guillain-Barre syndrome and I don't think that that is it. For awhile all the boxes were checked off for MG but apparently that is hard to diagnose I'm told. We will see. Take care PMRpro and thank you.
As PMRpro suggests it’s possibly dry eye. Sounds contradictory but see pro’s explanation above. I’ve had it for years and use preservative free Gel Tears, they’re prescribed ones. You can buy others OTC, speak to the pharmacist as they’re very knowledgeable people.
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Hello Sally, Both my friend and sister in-law have Rheumatoid Arthritis. Both have swollen joints and in a lot of pain a lot of the time. Seems like you do have Polymyalgia Rheumatica. My pain started with severe headache (that could have been GCA waiting in the wings to pounce, which it did) shoulder and neck pain, hip, knees and buttocks. An hour after taking my first dose of Prednisone 15 mg the pain went. Then once at 8 mg the GCA kicked in. So up to 40 mg. The symptoms I experienced with GCA were : Jaw pain when eating and opening mouth wide, tender head and my back top teeth ached. Currently managed to get down to 10mg for the next month, then very, very slow does it. I've been reducing by 1 mg every month so far. Just keeping everything crossed I don't have to go back high again.
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