GCA. What can I do

[CavalierKC3]

whatever has gone wrong with me. I just cannot stop crying. I am getting nasty feeling in chest, heart seems to be beating weird & I am so frightened by it. Just don’t know what to do with myself

[Purpleazalia]

Hello Cavalier. Please ring 111 for advice so that they can assess your symptoms. I think you described a reaction to tablets in a previous post, so it could be one of your new tablets - but best to seek advice because it's affecting your chest and heart.

Let us know how you get on x

[CavalierKC3 in reply to Purpleazalia]

no new tablets as such. Probably more depression/anxiety. I was taking sertraline before diagnosed with GCA but stopped it as I don’t like taking a lot of meds, maybe that was a wrong decision. Maybe it’s due to being on high dose of steroid now down to much lower

[Purpleazalia in reply to CavalierKC3]

Either of those could be contributing to how you're feeling. Did you stop your Sertraline under the guidance of your GP?

I really do think you should seek medical advice from 111 - it's easier to give information about your symptoms during a verbal conversation over the phone.

[123-go]

I hope you’ve done as advised and called 111 for support. You mustn’t sit there worrying. Thinking of you.

[Rose54]

phone 111 for advice

It’s better to be safe then sorry

[Bcol]

Sorry to hear you are feeling so low and worried. Please take the advice already given and phone 111 for further advice. If the chest pains get any more worrying then please ring 999 without delay. Best wishes.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Please follow advice and ring 111…it will put your mind at rest a little which may help in itself…

[SheffieldJane]

I agree with everyone that you ought to get some medical advice. Chest symptoms and palpitations need to be checked out, always. However your symptoms are quite usual with high dose Prednisalone and my bet is this is what it will turn out to be, coupled with excruciating anxiety and this allergy/rash that probably stems from a drug you have taken.

In the days before the strikes, I was taken to hospital with what turned out to be an oesophageal spasm - terrifying pain down the centre of my chest, coupled with jaw pain. I was treated as a priority as all suspected heart attack patients are. I spent 7 hours in A&E having various tests and just waiting, feeling increasingly fraudulent as the pain wore off.

You would be justified in spending a fairly miserable day like this, to be on the safe side. Seek the advice you need as a matter of priority. I am so sorry you feel like this on today of all days. Please let us know how you get on. You could bypass 111 and get a taxi to A&E, I probably would, knowing deep down that I was probably alright, as usual. Gentle hugs, it is a rotten way to feel. X

[Kendrew]

Hi CavalierKC3,

Firstly, you've been well advised in seeking advice from 111 and that should be a priority course of action, just to check out nothing needs any kind of medical intervention.

Last January I developed a very severe rash that caused raised, red, itchy hives (blotches) all over my body. It was not possible to diagnose the cause of this and it took several weeks, some strong antihistamines and a temporary increase in pred dose before it began to disappear.

At the time I was over tired, stressed out from the responsibility of providing a happy Christmas for everyone and still coming to terms with having to take medical retirement.

I have a sense that certainly these things will have contributed to the rash occurring.

If you are feeling anxious and stressed, it may be you are experiencing panic attacks. Your symptoms certainly match those of a panic attack too but it's really important you still get checked out for anything else and don't assume anything.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Have you called 111? You need to rule out cardiac problems if nothing else. It is all fairly typical of someone on high dose pred - and it is part of the reason you were given sertraline. The help is there - but YOU have to initiate the response.