temporal arteritis

[TinaAird48]

what symptoms do others have with this condition mine is severe headaches

[SheffieldJane]

That is the key symptom. Jaw pain is another while chewing. Any visual symptoms are a red flag for GCA. Are you diagnosed yet? This needs to be treated as urgent because of the risk to your eyesight.

[TinaAird48 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thankyou x

[TinaAird48 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thankyou x

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Severe headaches are only one of the symptoms- but any headache must be checked out. As SheffieldJane says if they are from GCA, your sight may well be at risk.

[TinaAird48 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thankyou x

[random901]

Hi TinaAird48. Biopsy confirmed GCA last October (also have PMR). No headaches! But sharp earache, tender scalp and jaw discomfort.

[Beebo8 in reply to random901]

Hi I had horrendously painful all over head and neck pain with jaw claudication ie pain and stiffness of jaw on chewing. Lost weight and lethargy with fatigue. Sounds awful when written down! Was put on 80mg Pred to save sight and kickstart the journey of GCA diagnosis. That was Jan 2022. The pain instantly went away as I took Pred, but obvs the inevitable unwanted symptoms of steroids took over. Grateful I’m alive and sight was saved tho and I’m currently on very low dose with intention to be off completely. How this answers altho I’m a bit long winded hehe

[TinaAird48 in reply to Beebo8]

Thankyou x

[Miacaro45 in reply to Beebo8]

Your story sounds like what I went through. But there is light at the end of the tunnel.

[TinaAird48 in reply to random901]

Thankyou x

[Angelsmummy]

morning Tina,was diagnosed with GCA and loss of sight in left eye,Dec 22.Before this I was to and fro to the Drs with excruciating groin pain,pressure in head,ear pain,neck pain,even went private after Drs just kept saying it was ear problem!!The rest is history ,woke up with kaleidoscope Vision in right eye ,,2 days later,rushed into hospital when I reported sight loss in left eye.The jaw pain was mainly when eating but uncomfortable throughout.Thought it was TMD but obvs wrong!Also lost heaps of weight as chewing was painful.Now down to 6 mg of pred after 2 flares and hoping I am on right track to recovery.ANY eye disturbances ,please don’t hesitate to get help,eyesight is what I miss the most but very grateful for what I have now!Good luck and stay alert eh?xx🌼

[TinaAird48 in reply to Angelsmummy]

Thankyou x

[Leafsong66]

Had a history of left temple headaches, occasional jaw pain and random bouts of night sweats and increasing stiffness in the rest of my body. Positive Biopsy confirmed the diagnosis as well as sky high inflammation as per ESR and CRP.

[TinaAird48 in reply to Leafsong66]

Thankyou x

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

This post although a few years old gives other members experiences of GCA -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[TinaAird48 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thankyou x

[TinaAird48 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thankyou x