A&E visit GCA

[Den73]

Hi all, thank you for your support this morning.Just got back from A&E they were very good sent me to urgent care department not much waiting doc examined my temples which were more painful than I thought but due to red tape the A&E no longer take bloods but he will contact the doctors who deal with GCA and ask advice he came back to me and said I must come back tomorrow to the right department they will do bloods and a scan and further tests if need be.

In the meantime up the steroids to 60mg 🫣 all that hard work of reduction over the months 😢

So will update after seeing them.

Talk about anxiety!! Which I am supposed to avoid😜 but correct me if I am wrong, steroids are really the only treatment for GCA?

Thank you all for your comments this morning xx

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Glad you did this..

Don’t worry about taking 60mg - hopefully once tests done you will be able to reduce dose quickly, especially if nothing picked up. It’s A&E taking a precautionary action.

Steroids are the go to meds initially -but worry about that once you know the situation.

[Den73 in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes definitely...must say I was very impressed by the manner of the doctor who examined me.At the very least my mind will be put to rest as yo the situation. X

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Even though there are now biologics which are very effective steroid sparers, they are not approved for use alone in GCA. They can take up to a couple of months to become effective, Pred works immediately which is what you need in GCA when it is threatening your sight.

[Den73 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMRpro for that important confirmation.The doctor reminded me of the seriousness of GCA and the pred being good and bad friend, and there are times you definitely need them.

I did not know about steroid sparers. Den xx