Last pred today (I hope)

[Agavegirl]

You’ll see in my profile that I was diagnosed with GCA in the middle of the first lockdown. My treatment was steroid infusion over three days and then high doses of pred, reducing to my final 1mg tablet today. The steroids gave immediate relief of theGCA symptoms but gave side effects, including very fragile skin. I’ve had excellent treatment from the NHS and my rheumy. The plan now is a month without steroids, then a blood test and a face to face with my rheumy. I am grateful for this forum. Thank you to the folk who consistently give good advice.

[Seacat30]

Fingers crossed for you.

[StarGaze85]

So very pleased to hear of your progress. Well done and I keep my fingers crossed. The support and information on this forum is amazing. I was diagnosed in January.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Hopefully it will be fine! We were discussing somewhere else the other day that it is often easier to get off pred with GCA - so long may it last!

[bussell]

Best of luck and good for you! Hopefully a happy ending. Makes us all feel better!

[jinasc]

Do not go mad - it took me months to get back and used to the 'new' normal.

[Elephants2019]

Sending you good wishes! And going forward, good health and no GCA!

[Temoral]

Hi Agavegirl....so great to hear...I also have GCA diagnosed last Sept and using DSNS ,hoping to steadily continue below 8.5 . Always good to get good news! Good luck.

[Kafkaontheshore]

Well done and good luck going forward 😀👍

[Preacherball]

Best wishes as you continue forward. Are you completely off meds for GCA? I am off prednisone but take a weekly dose of TCZ. So far so good.

[Agavegirl in reply to Preacherball]

I’m still on Alendronic Acid and Adcal.

[Preacherball in reply to Agavegirl]

Hope things continue to go well!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Agavegirl]

Why still on AA? Do you have osteoporosis?

I’m still on Adcal D3 . Last DEXA scan suggested I remain on it, and happy to do do.,

Stopped AA before I came off Pred.

[Agavegirl in reply to DorsetLady]

Rheumy was pretty insistent that I stay on it. I had a DEXA scan about 5 months before the GCA was diagnosed and it indicated osteopenia.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Agavegirl]

Okay -but if it’s was only osteopenia it may not deteriorated any more you so may not require AA. Been on it about 2 years??Might be with double checking-when can you have another DEXA?

[Agavegirl in reply to DorsetLady]

I have a face to face with my rheumy in about 4 weeks (following a blood test) I will take it up with him then.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Agavegirl]

What was the t-score? Most of the patients he sees our age range will have osteopenia - does he have them all on AA?

[Liby57]

Great news on your progress. 🙂

[Grammy80]

Really pleased for you!!! Go easy on yourself !!!