GCA and PMR

[Koalajane]

a friend of mine has GCA. She is on 9mg of pred and also leflunomide,

She told me today that she aches all over and it is bilateral. Is she likely to have to up her pred if at her rheumatica appointment tomorrow she is diagnosed with PMR as well?

Thanks

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Very likely -and sure her Rheumy will advise accordingly.

Perhaps she should join forum ….

[Koalajane in reply to DorsetLady]

yes, I think she should join the forum and have told her about it.

She asked me if she should tell the rheumatologist tomorrow about all her aches. I said yes you must!

[Grammy80 in reply to Koalajane]

I'm glad she has you as a friend to encourage her to relate her symptoms to her doctor. So important! I do hope she joins the forum also. I would have been totally in the dark without the forum, not to mention the peace it gave me in listening and learning from knowledgeable and caring people who had already been on the journey.💞

[Koalajane in reply to Grammy80]

I quite agree about the value of this forum. It is absolutely wonderful. I don’t think my doctor, who was very good, actually mentioned GCA to me and it was Kates book and the this forum that enlightened me

[Grammy80 in reply to Koalajane]

Almost all of what I learned, I learned here. One of the most valuable lessons was learning to be an advocate for myself with my doctor. Lots of wise folks here, sadly very experienced.💞

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Suggests the leflunomide may not be doing much for her in that case! Haven't come across it used in GCA before.

[Koalajane in reply to PMRpro]

it must be working because he says her aches are nothing to do with PMR as her bloods are good so carry on reducing the prednisolone every 2 weeks!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Koalajane]

“it must be working because he says her aches are nothing to do with PMR as her bloods are good so carry on reducing the prednisolone every 2 weeks!!”

…..oh dear, let’s hope his crystal is better than most then!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Koalajane]

Yeah. Right. If he says so ...

[Koalajane in reply to PMRpro]

that was my reply to her!

[Koalajane]

yes she was started on it about 3 months ago by her rheumatologist at Oswestry Orthopaedic hospital