Swollen temples

[Doublef]

Woke up today with swollen tender temples both sides Pred no affect is there anything I can do, vision not good.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

You need medical advice - obviously GCA is the first thing most people on here will think about -and that need to be checked pronto.

I’ve said previously you have been reduced too quickly -and that’s still my opinion.

Please ring your doctor, or nhs 111 or go to A&E/ED. It may not be GCA, but it sounds enough like it to be checked…

.. and please let us know

[Doublef in reply to DorsetLady]

On my way to A and E Royal Stoke no ambulances available

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Doublef]

Good you’re on way, not good about ambulance-fingers crossed for you… hope it’s not as bad as we think, but must be checked…

Catch up when you feel up to it.

[Doublef in reply to DorsetLady]

Royal Stoke did good. Triage nurse, doctor, eye specialist, home in five hours. As suspected GCA flare up, steroids back to 60mg. Eye surgeon appointment for cataracts next week.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Doublef]

Result!!! That is how it should be - and I would expect them to get it right!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Doublef]

Good to hear you got right treatment.…. and hope it goes better next time around. Thanks for letting us know.

[Doublef in reply to DorsetLady]

I know you keep records, the tablets worked in less than 12 hours eyesight improved no pain and temple swelling vastly improved. One month supply of 60 mg supplied.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Doublef]

Good…. On them working and the length of time prescribed….should get GCA back under good control… and hopefully make doctors acknowledge first time around was too fast… certainly for you.

[Doublef in reply to DorsetLady]

rheumatologist sent for me yesterday wants to reduce Pred level and take Methotrexate in a few weeks. Cataracts got worse but not yet being considered

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Doublef]

Okay… but maybe not reduce too quickly, MTX takes time to take effect….and just be warned it doesn’t work as well for some people than others.. but hope it does for you.

[LynnWeed in reply to DorsetLady]

Agree

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Get thee to a doctor immediately. No waiting for an appointment, direct to A&E if necessary.

You have an eye apppointment today don't you? If nothing else, turn up early and tell them what has happened and you are concerned it could be the GCA because the pred dose has been reduced so much so quickly. My optician used to take patients with symptoms ahead of anyone else - did it all properly. wrote the referral and sent them to hospital in a taxi if that was the only option. Then he saw anyone else ...

As DL says, in our opinion that reduction in dose was just looking for problems. GCA is most active in the first 18 months - and you don't mess with GCA.

[Doublef in reply to PMRpro]

On my way

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Doublef]

Good man!!! Wonder who you'll see there - some cracking A&E staff there.

[Doublef in reply to PMRpro]

You were right

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Doublef]

I was just wondering if I might see you on TV one day!!!! Probably not bloody enough though ...

[LynnWeed in reply to PMRpro]

Much, much agreed.

[Koalajane]

I believe you already have GCA so think you should get in contact immediately with your rheumatologist or GP and stress it is urgent

[SheffieldJane]

I have a soft, painless lump near my left eye about an inch in diameter, and have been assuming it is related to my chronic dry eyes that often feel gritty and they water. I wondered about a blocked salivary gland? Or maybe even left over from the Pred swollen moon face. I also have non cranial GCA and am not feeling great these days.

So many issues of late but judging by the reaction of my peers I had better get it looked at.

[Doublef in reply to SheffieldJane]

Hi just to let you know my wife had her eye glands unblocked for her dry eye which was very successful

[SheffieldJane in reply to Doublef]

So glad it was only that. Can I ask what the procedure entails please?

[Doublef in reply to SheffieldJane]

GP first.who referred her to eye clinic, improved almost immediately

[SheffieldJane in reply to Doublef]

What a relief! I am going to try to get seen, must just gird my loins first.

[herdysheep in reply to SheffieldJane]

I have treatment for unblocking eyelid glands roughly every 8 weeks. It used to be Blephex pre Covid days, which was a bit like a toothbrush going along the eye lids ( but not as bad as it sounds). Nowadays it is tweezers squeezing each gland after hot bag . This all after thorough examination etc etc. As we never know which day I am more pain sensitive I have numbing drops in before the treatment. The glands can be so badly blocked that they stop working, which is obviously bad news. It does make a difference and is worth it.

[SheffieldJane in reply to herdysheep]

Is this treatment done by a GP? ( thanks btw).

[Doublef in reply to SheffieldJane]

No Rheumatologist oncologist

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Doublef]

SheffieldJane was asking Herdysheep who did the treatment for her.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Doublef]

Sorry to cause confusion Doublef.

[herdysheep in reply to SheffieldJane]

I get mine done at dry eye clinic - part of my excellent optician practice. It is the contact lens bod who does it. An optician nearer to me has started to offer the service recently but I have been with same opticians since the 1980's and they are excellent, so worth the journey. Needless to say it is not on NHS

[SheffieldJane in reply to herdysheep]

Really helpful. I must ask my optician, they are very good. Thanks.

[fishoillover]

Sounds like giant cell arteritis. Get to the doctor right away.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to fishoillover]

Already happened as you’ll see if you read through thread…