Did Covid trigger my GCA?

[Handloomweaver]

In October last year I caught Covid for a second time. I wasn’t very ill and it only lasted a week. But, 3 months later in late January I was diagnosed with giant cell arteritis.

I am still taking medication for that but I do wonder whether Covid caused an underlying inflammation problem that then led to GCA?

I was 70 last year with no history of previous illnesses that would suggest inflammation. I’ve been on the Zoe programme for 2 years so have mainly a plant based diet, don’t eat highly processed foods, don’t drink alcohol, annd I exercise regularly. I can’t understand where the GCA came from.

Has anyone else made this connection between Covid and GCA?

Mary

#Covid

[SnazzyD]

Hello, prior to diagnosis people often site some sort of assault on the body like infections of all sorts, injury, surgery, unrelenting stress, big life events, shock, vaccines, etc, so Covid will be no exception. It isn’t always clear whether the body ‘s immune system was already unhappy and the assumed cause was the straw the broke the camel’s back or if it was that alone.

Some people turn up on this forum with GCA/PMR soon after Covid, some have flares of pre-existing autoimmune disease after Covid and some of us don’t get a flare at all. What is known about Covid is it can do all sorts of damage to the body even after very mild infection and some people are oblivious it’s happening.

[Handloomweaver in reply to SnazzyD]

So, that all makes absolute sense. Covid may or may not have played a part in causing GCA, but it’s impossible to make a direct connection. Thanks

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Maybe, and you’ll probably never know.

Many believe that a vaccine of any description may have caused their illness . .. so why not the virus itself… and many have blamed their PMR on covid.

Certainly any virus, or any stress, mental or physical can be the final straw to the immune system.

To be honest there’s little point in worrying where it came from, you have it so just manage it as best you can and get on with life…

[Handloomweaver in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you. I was just curious to see what others thought, but I agree with you. I’ve got it, and just have to manage it. The meds are working well, and my rheumatologist is very good with monitoring, planning the tapering pathway, advice and responding to any changes in my condition. I’ve just started taking Leflunomide alongside the Pred which seeming to be making a difference. My CRP levels are down to normal now.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Handloomweaver]

Having been there, I can understand you wanting to know, but sometimes there is no easy answer.. I think mine was probably stress associated with my late hubby cardiac issues although I’m not a person normally prone to stress, so I might be completely wrong.

Just be pleased the meds are working well.. continue to do what you are doing, and if it’s any consolation I think GCA is easier to cope with than PMR [once on medication] but don’t try and push through too quickly… can I ask why leflunomide was added, or is it purely to try and get you off Pred more quickly? Usually not added in unless you are having issues tapering -are you?

[Handloomweaver in reply to DorsetLady]

Well, there’s a bit of a story. In short, I was initially diagnosed by my GP based on my reported symptoms. He was quick to put me on Pred, but didn’t do a blood test first. When I went to the hospital 4 days later my bloods were normal, no sign of GCA on the ultrasound, and 2 weeks later, nothing on the biopsy. The rheumatologist wasn’t sure it was GCA, so for the next 8 months I was tapering quickly to get off the Pred, although with some symptoms coming and going. At one point everyone (consultant, doctor, dentist) said I had temperomandibular disorder (i.e. jaw pain). I got down to 1mg of Pred and my CRP shot up and all the original symptoms returned. My rheumatologist was very apologetic.

So I started again with 40mgs of Pred a month ago and this time we are taking it much more slowly. The Leflunomide has been added to assist me to reduce the Pred, because my HBiC bloods have shot up to 50, potentially causing steroid induced diabetes.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Handloomweaver]

Okay can understand re potential steroid induced diabetes. But doesn’t necessarily mean it will progress, figures should reduce as Pred is lowered. Many of us have been there.

Good luck with Leflunomide but just be aware Pred is the main drug to control GCA, so you need what you need… reduce too quickly even with a steroid sparer and you may still flare, especially in first year .. Fingers crossed you don’t.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Autoimmune disorders are often the result of many years/a lifetime of insults to the immune sytem where eventually a final straw breaks the camel's back and the immune systems throws a hissy fit and become deranged. It is unable to recognise the body as "self" and turns on it, as it would a foreign body present such as a virus or bacterial infection or an organ from another person. In autoimmune disease, various tissues may be targeted and the disease you are diagnosed with tends to depend on the cinical picture created.

These final triggers may be illness, trauma due to accident, or stress due to other sources, overwork, bereavement, many different life events. Maybe it was your Covid - it could have been the vaccine, or another vaccine or another illness. No two people have identical stories.

I don't think it is worth racking your brains - use the energy to make your current life better.