New GCA diagnosis

[AineB2020]

Hi spent the best part of this week in and out of the hospital. Diagnosed with PMR in March. Responded well to 15mg of Prednisolone. Started the taper of 1mg per month and was feeling fine. Then 2 weeks ago developed a pain in my jaw and side of left side of my face and tenderness around my temples. Went to see my GP this week and he immediately referred me to hospital. ESR 5 CRP 20 Had an CXR and ECG. Seen by Rheumatology registrar and she increased my Prednisolone to 60mg daily for 2 weeks. Had ultrasound of temporal artery yesterday and having Echocardiogram on Sunday with a follow up appointment with the Rheumatology Department on Tuesday 30th. The NHS have been amazing and I am very grateful. I still have a headache but I am hoping that the increase in the steroids will help soon.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Sorry to hear your diagnosis, but well done your local hospital/doctors for acting promptly.

Hopefully your headaches will reduce soon….and please keep us informed.

[SnazzyD]

What a whirlwind. I’m glad you weren’t left to languish; well done that GP. I hope the Pred will stabilise the inflammation soon. Do rest now, because this is a serious disorder, though the fizz 60mg gives you can make that difficult! I’d recommend starting that low carb diet now to avoid the worst of the blood sugar spikes and boom and bust of insulin levels that can drive intense hunger. Keep an eye on the symptoms because some people need more than 60mg. Sounds like you are being looked after though.

[AineB2020 in reply to SnazzyD]

good idea about the low carb diet. Should I look at Diabetic diet or just reduce my overall carbs. Right now I have no appetite

[Koalajane in reply to AineB2020]

I would say just reduce carbs as not all diabetic diets encourage reducing carbs!

[AineB2020 in reply to Koalajane]

thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador]

So good to hear there are both GPs and rheumies who are on the ball when they are needed!

Diet - low carb, not no-carb and mainly processed carbs makes it easier. And keep an eye on fruit - lots of carbs in bananas, apples and grapes, mainly due the size of the darn things these days!

This is my favourite website for seeing what to avoid. They have good recipes and you don't HAVE to join and pay good money out, lots of free recipes online these days

dietdoctor.com/low-carb

good explanations and scroll down for picture guides which are easy to understand/remember and don't need so much reading.

[AineB2020 in reply to PMRpro]

thanks very much for this information.

[Reclus]

sounds like you're getting great attention which is encouraging hope things improve soon.

[AineB2020 in reply to Reclus]

I do hope so. Still have pain and tenderness in the temple area but I am at the hospital tomorrow and hopefully I can speak to someone. 4 days on 60mg and I was hoping to feel a bit better. Didn’t sleep well last night so feeling a bit rubbish today but did get out in the garden and did some weeding.