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Giant cell arteritis

Posted , 7 users are following.

sandra28555
sandra28555

has anyone developed this disorder? I am somewhat frightened that I am developing giant cell arteritis because of my chronic headaches and fading vision. Any information would really bless my life.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest sandra28555

    Posted

    No matter where you live, run to the nearest medical facility and ask to have your sed rate and CRP checked. Going blind is a huge concern for GCA. If that is even a possible diagnosis, the doctor will immediately put you on a high dose of steroid to avoid many problems. Keep in touch, Ann11195
  • faye______00403
    faye______00403 sandra28555

    Posted

    Run don't walk to the nearest place and be checked.   This is

    critically important........Ann lll95 said it all.....

  • tina-uk_cwall
    tina-uk_cwall sandra28555

    Posted

    Hello sandra, as the others have said, don't wait to see your GP, get yourself along to a minor injuries unit or A&E and tell them everything. When the headaches started, exactly how your vision is effected, etc. You haven't said how long this has been going on for but you must get it checked out without delay. Do let us know how you get on. Regards, tina

     

  • Anhaga
    Anhaga sandra28555

    Posted

    GCA is a medical emergency, like a stroke would be.  Let us know how you get on.  Better it be a false alarm than that you lose vision or worse.  
  • Ardern
    Ardern sandra28555

    Posted

    Hi the same thing happen to me last oct. I would lose my vision in my left eye with server head ache and server jaw pain. had a biopsy done of a temporal artertery and was diagionsed with GCA out on a large dose od PRED. The vision problems and pain has been elliminated and I have been able to taper down to 7 mg 

    good luck

  • pebbles01
    pebbles01 sandra28555

    Posted

    Hi Sandra

    Unfortunately that is the first thing we think of when we get headaches and problems with vision. Of course get checked out but your headaches may be due to you straining to see.  Have your eyes checked for cateract (not sure of spelling).  I am having to have surgery on both eyes, first one on the 12th May as the steroids have excellerated them. They may have developed in 10 years without the steroids but they have come on very quickly.  My vision is pretty poor and is having an effect on normal life.

    Please get checked.

     

    • faye______00403
      faye______00403 pebbles01

      Posted

      My story too.  I had cataracts for years but eye doc said minimal.

      Pred made them "bloom" faster.  I had the first one done March

      l6 and the second will be May l8th.  Pretty simple business and

      the results are wonderful.  I can read, watch TV,  computer,

      all with no sign of glasses and that's just with one eye done.

      So you can look forward to seeing things again and colors being so much brighter but one drawback.....I didn't realize my house was so dirty!

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