Titles with PMR or GCA needed

[AlamedaCounty]

I appreciate the two conditions are supposed to be linked to some extent, though I am not clear how. The symtoms, treatments etc seem quite different and it would be really helpful to know which condition people are commenting on.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

The majority of people on here have PMR - so it’s usually that… and if the member commenting has filled in their profile/bio you can check there (that’s why we always ask they do that -makes it easier for everyone)

This might give you s bit more info on both illnesses -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

.. and there’s more info in FAQs /

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

They are felt to be points on a spectrum of disease but one problem is that many people with GCA also have PMR symptoms either originally or as they reduce the dose of pred. SOme people do have "pure" cranial GCA but not really that many.

academic.oup.com/rheumatolo...

The treatments certainly aren't that different historically - and corticosteroids are still the mainstay and remain the only guaranteed way of saving sight for patients with GCA affecting their vision. The alternatives of tocilizumab and now Kevzara for PMR are quite recent, Kevzara is very recent, and generally only an option in the USA.

A quick look at the profile usually answers the question even if it involves looking back at previous posts - after all, you don't have your diagnosis on your bio either, it is in a post from a month ago so has to be looked for. But everyone pretty much is on pred - so that is a common factor and the one that is discussed most. Then symptoms questions show what someone probably has.

[Dochaz]

And don't forget LVV (large vessel vasculitis)! Which is basically the same as GCA but elsewhere (or alongside GCA) in the other main arteries of the body, and only picked up via CT or Petscan if you are lucky enough to have one prior dx AND also fortunate enough to have an on the ball medic to interpret the results

[Thiago1396]

Diagnosis should be on your bio and on all members bio’s. Then it is easily discovered if it’s not clear in their posts and replies.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Thiago1396]

Should be, but as we know from many years of requesting the info some don’t complete it!

[Thiago1396 in reply to DorsetLady]

I’m sure! A human condition 🙄

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Thiago1396]

I know not all are that happy with modern technology-but it would make life easier -but heigh ho.

[PMR_sufferer1]

All Inknow is that its mainly females that get both but not always.

I have no knowledge why but as others say its all inflamation linked.

PMR is so painful and dibilitating but GCA is a serious health issue and all need to known the signs to deal with it immediately.

The other immune diseases like Vasculitus i dare not even think about. A friend of mine from Kharkiv in the Ukraine has this. With little to no.medical care because of the war she has spent the last year in utter agony with no medication. We have no idea how lucky we are here. The story i could tell is so bad i will refrain from writing more.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to PMR_sufferer1]

Both PMR and GCA ARE forms of vasculitis. And women are more likely to have either than men, a ratio of about 2 to 1 is usually quoted.