Well after going through all the GCA tests, including biopsy which shows a 3 cm piece of the temporal artery with no extra wear and tear, it would seem that Rheumie cannot definitely say it is or isn't GCA and so has begun reducing the Pred. She wanted to go from 60 mg to 50 this morning, but this morning I dropped it to 55 mg. for a week and then will try the 50 having learnt lessons well from this forum. Kudos to Rhuemie for finally spending a good deal of time, as in the past this was not the case.
At the beginning of January, 2023 I had gone to the dentist. Regular visit, one filling, one restoration. Not long after that, I started getting this huge pressure between my ears, pushing outwards and jaw pain, neck pain, of late swallowing has become difficult. The Pred, it seems, too care of the jaw pain, but the deafness and tinnitus from the pressure never did go and still persists as we speak. This was the same pressure that my quack-a-doo GP did not have time to discuss.
On Jan 21st, ended up at ER with all the "GCA" symptoms, including this pressure between the ears. Vision had not changed according to Ophtamologist to whom I was referred the following week. Optic nerve, etc. were good. A slight growth in the cataracts (minimal). The CRP was elevated to 24 from 3 which is a fast jump over 2 weeks (had bloodwork 2 weeks prior), which also coincides with the dentist visit. 24 is not bad, considering it's been twice that at the onset of PMR.
Last evening, went on the Google and actually found that TMJ and pressure/pain, deafness, difficulty swallowing and tinnitus are things that TMJ can cause. Matched the symptoms exactly.
This afternoon, I'm off to the dentist as all this could actually have been TMJ, which I've had for years, but it could have been triggered by having my jaws open wide for the fillings, or maybe the PMR has weakened the jaw muscles. I do not know. The TMJ has never really presented any problems except for once when my jaw locked open at the dentist.
Also, worthy of mention, I've only gained 12 pounds in the 1.5 years I've had PMR, although I look like a little Buddah with the neck ring and cheeky cheeks. I thought for sure I'd be over 200 lb.
So here' fingers crossed for TMJ? Thoughts please my wonderful support people.
Where is the 8th cranial nerve located and fingers crossed it's not along the edge of the eyebrow. (Nevermind I googled "8th cranial nerve.) I have decreased the Pred from 60 to 55 mg. Rheumy wanted me to drop to 50 mg. I feel miserable and the pain which seems to have returned is that in my left shoulder (so far). Feeling as though head does not want to function. Focus and concentration seem to have left overnight. A wee bit wonky. When I don't sleep at night for a few nights, this is what happens.
Toothache or GCA
Are there any specific scans for GCA?
GCA and Earache
