Could this be GCA?

[justable]

Good morning, new to this forum since I am having eye problems and getting nowhere with optician. I did an econsult with the GP surgery yesterday, and a couple of the questions caught me out a bit - when I googled the symptoms they were asking about, it led me to GCA. So whilst I do have a GP appointment to discuss things, it is over 2 weeks away and I am now a bit worried 😟

Background - I was diagnosed with axial spondyloarthritis 4 years ago (an inflammatory autoimmune condition, AxSpA for short.) There are eye conditions linked with that, so I try to be proactive about my eye health.

For about a year now I have been finding reading in particular more and more of a struggle. My eyes feel alternately dry/hot/runny, achey, like I just cant focus, blurry, with dull head pain across the forehead and temples. More recently Im finding that I can't focus on the TV either so my distance vision is no longer great. I have seen 2 different opticians who gave me wildly different prescription strengths, but neither pair of glasses help. The econsult question that caught me by surprise in particular was one about having a sensitive scalp - I do sometimes notice this, hadnt thought much about it because its not all the time. I have plenty of other symptoms such as painful neck, shoulders, hips but always assumed that was the AxSpA.

My question is, do I need to get myself checked out asap or will the GP appt be fine?

[SheffieldJane]

I would treat suspected GCA as an emergency requiring urged treatment.

[justable in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks, got it checked out at eye hospital, all fine

[123-go]

I agree with SheffieldJane. I doubt you’ll get far with GP/getting past receptionist so would advise you to ring 111 now for advice and hopefully further action. Two weeks is too long to wait for an appointment. Your sight is precious and if it turns out that your concerns are unfounded all well and good:no harm done and you will have done your duty to yourself. I totally understand your concerns. Good luck.

[justable in reply to 123-go]

Thanks x

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi and welcome,

As you have AxSpA what medication do you take for it [NSAIDs]? and do you use eye drops regularly?

You don’t say what age you are, but guessing as in a previous post you mention an youngish son, you aren’t in the age range for cataracts, but has that been checked?

The headaches/eye/neck/shoulder symptoms you do mention could be GCA, but as you say may also be connected to your AxSpA, and as that is inflammatory, not sure the usual tests for raised markers - ESR and CRP will be particularly useful in diagnosis.

I would do another eConsult and say you are concerned it could be GCA and would like those blood tests and a quicker appointment as you understand it must be treated as an emergency [and it should]. Plus also another appointment at local opticians and state again you are concerned about GCA and would like them to check for that.

Please keep us informed, and maybe read up on GCA from the charity’s web page-

pmrgca.org.uk/information-a...

[justable in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks x

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Hi and welcome.

Has the optician suggested anything as simple as treating for dry eyes with drops or gels? I really would start there - that is an immediate thing.

Axial spondylitis can actually cause neck problems that in turn can cause symptoms that mimic GCA - because the neck problems can pinch nerves and arteries and cause scalp pain and poor blood flow which doesn't help.

Unfortunately - that is a differential diagnosis that requires a doctor, not an optician who is obviously milking you for new specs!!! Is your optician a member of the MECS/CUES set-up? There is a link to find a local practice on the website:

primaryeyecare.co.uk/servic...

primaryeyecare.co.uk/servic...

What other symptoms? Did the optician examine the back of your eye? Using the pupil dilating drops? Did they look at the optic nerve entry to the retina? That is about all they can see re GCA - if the blood flow to the optic nerve is chronically reduced it will appear enlarged and pale.

Do you have any jaw issues - does it ache when chewing for more than a minute or two that stops when the action stops?

What medication are you on for the AxSpA?

Lots of questions - but all very relevant ...

[justable in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, went to eye hospital and all is fine, Id rather be safe than sorry!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to justable]

Indeed.