Recently diagnosed GCA

[Doublef]

After a bad day with severe headaches and sight loss I ended up at the Hospital emergency eye clinic. Diagnosed the next day with GSA and very efficiently put on steroids. I have been put on a 10 month programme and feeling a little shocked. I already have a number of ailments, DB2,AF,HF. My blood pressure is holding steady but my sugar levels are spiking high on metformin. 76 years male.Any advice

[SnazzyD]

Hello, you are discovering the Pred effect on blood glucose. The good news is that with some organisation and determination it can be helped even with type 2 diabetes. Pred causes the liver to convert its glucagon stores into glucose, even before you eat a morsel. Many of us have kept it in check my drastically cutting our carbohydrate intake. A normal healthy diet doesn’t cut it and most of us have to cut out pasta, rice, potato, maize, flours etc.

10 month program sounds quite optimistic. Keep an open mind. The guidelines for a 24 month were followed for me though I wasn’t on zero until 3.5 years. The first 12-18 months are the most fragile time when it comes to relapses. If you feel any symptoms coming back, act.

It is mind boggling at the start but it does settle down, especially when the Pred dose reduces a bit.

[WaltzG in reply to SnazzyD]

Just wondering what people eat in a low carbon diet? I also have high cholesterol? At moment not on steriods but always a possibility since have GCA and PMR ?

[agingfeminist in reply to WaltzG]

look up recipes for diabetics but don't be tempted to use artificial sweeteners. It takes about 3 weeks to lose the 'sugar craving'. check the glycemic index of what you eat and go for the fruits and vegetables with low glycemic index. It is easy and transformative. Good luck!

[WaltzG in reply to agingfeminist]

Thx 😊

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to WaltzG]

This is my favourite site for info

dietdoctor.com/low-carb/foods

with lots of pictures showing relative carb amounts for various foods. Some of us have to get to very low levels of carbs to lose weight but many do really well just by stopping all processed carbs and most fruit. I eat lots of salads and above ground veg with sensible portions of meat and fish. Greek yoghurt features quite a bit.

If you have GCA and PMR - why aren't you on steroids?

[WaltzG in reply to PMRpro]

Thx . On MTX and Actemra. ...have epilepsy and interacted badly with steroids! So far OK ........

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to WaltzG]

Fair enough - though why they insist on adding MTX to Actemra beats me!!! I know they do it in RA but GCA isn't RA ,,,

[WaltzG in reply to PMRpro]

Was MTX first then actemra. I know lowered markers means very little but affect on pain and stiffness is remarkable and I am back to a pretty normal life !

[tempusfugi in reply to WaltzG]

Hi SharonY, may I ask, did you actually try steroids in the first place and, if so, what sort of interaction did you get? I, too, have epilepsy but am on Pred and having difficulty with reducing same. Rheumie wants me to try Methotrexate but I'm wary. Thanks vm.

[WaltzG in reply to tempusfugi]

Hi had couple of injections the second one made epilepsy worse and made me aggressive really upsetting my (grown up) children. Also didn't help pain. 2 years on my epilepsy remains unstable notwithstanding higher doses........MTX helped me lots but don't know how it would be combined with steriods. A friend of mine who I met on here also has epilepsy and does take steriods and isn't affected like me so it may vary from person to person . ....

[tempusfugi in reply to WaltzG]

Thanks vm, SharonY and noted. I think your friend could be a friend of mine too!😃

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to WaltzG]

There is a lady on the forum with a history of epilepsy who was on high dose pred for a long time, now she is on Actemra. Unfortunately she's recovering from an accident and surgery at the moment and not on the forum

[WaltzG in reply to PMRpro]

Yes I am in touch with her .....

[Koalajane in reply to WaltzG]

it is a low carbohydrate diet, so means cutting down things like bread, pasta rice, cakes etc. this is because carbs turn to sugars.. the fruit I eat are berries, mainly strawberries and blueberries. I am a salad lover but you need to cut out potatoes and veg grown below ground. I learnt a lot by looking at packets. Processed meals are a no no

[Doublef in reply to Koalajane]

Thank you, We had a look at our diet which looks pretty good but will need more adjustment

[SheffieldJane]

Really glad you found us! This is a trustworthy and informed forum, with dedicated, experienced people who are keen to help and answer your questions, all volunteers. So welcome! You will find a lot of support and information here. You could browse FAQs in the meantime to help arrive at specific questions. If you haven’t already please fill in your profile with detail that will lead to better answers. Many on here will relate to your shock and current fears. It gets better. X

[Exflex]

Sorry to hear about your experience. Did your eyesight return after medication?

[Doublef in reply to Exflex]

It returned quickly but like a migrane and headache around the temples.

[Exflex in reply to Doublef]

I’m really pleased about that!!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Hi and welcome. Plenty of contacts here to help you on your journey.

Do have a look through the FAQs - the link is at the top of every thread, just underneath the post.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk....

is a shortcut to the specific GCA info.