Temporal artery Biopsy

[Ronzy]

Finally someone has taken me seriously

I have an appointment in just over a week for a temporal artery biopsy 😱 who has had it done. Hope there’s not too much pain involved.

At least it will be conclusive.

[SheffieldJane]

Good luck with this Ronzy. Sometimes when we’ve been on Prednisalone for a while they can’t see the evidence of GCA under the microscope. Also, they must take the right little section of artery in exactly the right place or they come back with a false negative. My own GCA was diagnosed by a specialist scan but I was only on 3 mgs of Pred. I hope it goes well and doesn’t give you bother afterwards and best of all you get the right treatment for your symptoms. 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

[Ronzy in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks Jan. 🍀🍀🍀🍀

[Dochaz]

Hello Ronzy, I had mine (both sides) done in France under local anaesthetic... I was given something to make me drowsy first. Head taped down to the operating table and a sterile cover over it, so I could see nothing, but hear everything. Sort of stressful to hear the surgeon at work but too out if it to react! Operation at 9 am, home again at lunchtime. I was supplied with painkillers and had big compressive plasters on for a few days, then normal ones for a fortnight with a nurse coming every 2 days to change the dressings. Paracetamol managed the pain well. I slept most of the rest of that day and was fine again the following day. Sleeping on your side will be uncomfortable for a few days. The scars are horizontal by my ears and covered by my hair which they shaved in front of my ears and which has now grown back. I assume the procedure is similar where you are. The results came through after a week and were positive for GCA. I hope this helps and good luck 🤞 🍀

[Ronzy in reply to Dochaz]

Thanks for that now I know what to expect 👍👍

[Devoid in reply to Ronzy]

Hi had mine 2 years ago in UK . Local anaesthetic , stitches then glue so no dressing. Negative results, positive for LVV on ct pet scan.

[Ronzy in reply to Ronzy]

Forgot to mention he scanned it first then marked it.

[Ronzy in reply to Dochaz]

In tomorrow there doing a local I’ll be glad when it’s done as feel dose not inuff as still get loads of pain. Afternoons worst

[Ronzy in reply to Ronzy]

It’s all done no problem 😊 15 minutes the opp😱.

Very neat.

[Grammy80]

All I can say, Ronzy, is I had it done, it was conclusive and painless! Good combination. I was asleep, of course, woke up with bright eyed and was good to go. Then I could deal with GCA and what had to be done. For me...piece of cake and may you have the same. I wish you the very!! best.💕

[Janstr]

I suggest getting your hair cut before the procedure, as I couldn’t bear the thought of hairdressers being anywhere near the wound for some time afterwards.I had a CT scan on my head about a year later for something unrelated & the report mentioned a metal band or maybe it was a pin in my head. I had no idea it was there, as thought they sewed the arteries back together. It’s good if you can ask the exact composition of the band , as it was an issue for me when I had an MRI (again for something else).

The procedure itself is nothing to worry about

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Janstr]

Probably a staple to seal off the ends of the artery

[Sho-Sho]

I had it done when first diagnosed, was dreading it bit it was fine. A local anaesthetic which was not painful, then she just tucked my hair away from the site, it took about 30 min & then big plaster over it. It felt a little sore for a few days but nothing much.So good luck (mine showed the Giant Cells so at least it was a definitive diagnosis)

[ubaoz]

I had mine done two weeks ago, but my surgeon opted to use a general anaesthetic. Only the RHS was done. The result was negative, not unexpectedly as I'd been on high dose pred for over 2 weeks at that stage, but was still worth a try for a confirmation of diagnosis.

I was rather knocked around by the anaesthetic afterwards for a few days, but the actual biopsy site was easy – didn't need any of the painkillers they suggested might be required – just had to keep the dressing dry for a minimum of 5 days as he used self-dissolving stitches. 10 days on and it had healed beautifully. I think a lot comes down to the skill of the surgeon. Good luck with your procedure. Hope you get a result you're happy with.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

“At least it will be conclusive.”…

unfortunately not necessarily, especially as you’ve been on Pred for some time.

If the result is positive then yes you have your answer, but in some cases the very tiny sample they take may not show any signs of GCA, even though other parts of that artery or others may be affected…so the result is negative. Even though you have GCA, which is why symptoms are as important as the biopsy.

Having said that, at least you are being taken seriously so I do hope you get a definite answer, and the correct treatment.

[Ronzy in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks 👍👍😘

[Ronzy in reply to DorsetLady]

All soundes crazy really why they give you 2wks high doses me 40mg then do test at around £2500 🤷🏽‍♂️ Don’t it seem a waste when most won’t show because of high dose 😵‍💫

[Broseley]

I had mine with a local. They did everything to make sure I was comfortable before they started, as you have to keep really still. They had to shave a small amount of hair off. They covered my eyes with damp cotton pads to block the bright light. I was so relaxed during the procedure I nearly fell asleep! The surgeon had a junior with him so he was chatting away all the time explaining what he was doing. I was able to ask questions. He said I had good arteries and he did the procedure in 20 minutes, a record time, he said. The stitching seemed to take forever. Afterwards I drove home and the wound was fine, though it felt bruised it wasn't painful.My result was negative. It still feels tender 9 months later but only when I'm washing my hair.

[Ronzy in reply to Broseley]

Think I will if get choice 👍👍🍀🍀🍀🍀

[Ronzy in reply to Broseley]

15 min mine 😱. Neat dressing

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Ronzy]

Good!

[Broseley in reply to Ronzy]

Wow! Glad it went well!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I suppose it is a start - but far from sure it will show anything much since you have been on pred for so long. And if it is "negative" - what will they do next?

[Ronzy in reply to PMRpro]

Mmm 🥹 it’s a game 🤷😘 that’s what I’m wondering as still get pains

[Ronzy in reply to PMRpro]

At £2500 🤷🏽‍♂️😱

[jinasc]

Never had the biopsy, 5 days on 60mg - it was a no no and as my rheumy said - symptoms rule.

It is a start but like PMRpro ..................

[Elephants2019]

I too had biopsy done. Wished now I had not as had been on high dose of prednisone for almost 4 weeks, and biopsy was negative. Did not have enough information at that time to question procedure, nor had found this wonderful forum full of useful information. Think a scan could have been more useful and less invasive. Procedure itself was painless, I just had glue put over cut, healed well and hair grew back😊But now I do not have a conclusive diagnosis(which always leaves me wondering if I really have GCA)-but being treated for GCA. Best Wishes-you will do great!

[Ronzy in reply to Elephants2019]

Hope they do same for me if neg. How are you now. What treatment have you had. All the best 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

[Elephants2019 in reply to Ronzy]

Doing well in the big picture! (Always feeling “something” is going on though). Currently treated with Actemra, prednisone, and Methotrexate. Was on just prednisone and methotrexate for over year, still having issues, so Actemra added to mix just this February. I did not feel a difference right away, but lately been feeling better, and am also trying to taper off prednisone, right now vacillating between 8 and 7.5. Good Luck!!! It is a journey, we are so lucky to have this site and knowledge shared here available.

Will be thinking of you and hope all goes well. ❤️

[yogabonnie]

Good luck! thinking about you.

[Ronzy]

Thank you 😍