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The difference between Temporal Arteritis (TA) and Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA).

Posted , 11 users are following.

misdiagnose
misdiagnose

I find it extraordinary that even professionals do not seem to understand the difference between Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) and Temporal Arteritis (TA) and confuse the two.

When Arteritis exclusively affects the temporal artery, it is described as Temporal Arteritis. This can cause blindness, deafness, stroke and increased risk of dementia. 

However, what is described as GIant Cell Arteritis can affect any artery in the body causing inflammation, narrowing, etc., and can cause vital organs to be starved of blood and can lead to long term and serious disability or death. 

Because the giant cells are often not found, despite the dangers of looking, the disease should really be described simply as 'ARTERITIS', that is inflammation of the arteries. 

This would avoid some of the confusion that exists around this illness which is the most common form of vasculitis, ie inflammation of the blood vessels. 

4 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • carol16456
    carol16456 misdiagnose

    Posted

    Just to say that my optician had not even heard of GCA and she is one of the partners at the practice and in her 60s .Before my diagnoses 4 months ago I had had a rush of floaters and was advised to go to our A and E  was ok When I had a normal check up a month ago I told her about the PMR  and that was when I her about GCA .I think it is time I changed opticians 
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy carol16456

      Posted

      I recently saw the optometrist who is pretty young and he was incredibly knowledgable about GCA, much more so than the rheumy! I was incredibly impressed.
    • misdiagnose
      misdiagnose carol16456

      Posted

      Everyone with GCA should see a Optometrist to establish a baseline. There is a lot that the Eye Doctor can tell. If yours does not know about it, you should definitely change. Information has been in all their professional magazines and there is no excuse for ignorance.
  • penelope10875
    penelope10875 misdiagnose

    Posted

    I have had an increase in floaters. Nobody has suggested that it might be significant. Should I be concerned? I have had PMR for 2 years.
    • carol16456
      carol16456 penelope10875

      Posted

      The odd floater is normal but a "rain " of floaters needs checking in case the retina could be coming adrift .But it would bad . the eye site woul be quite deteriated by the floaters.if accompanied with severe head ,nerve ,pain on same side it needs checking out urgently .Symptons can be found with GCA .the prednisalone can induce more floaters .but one or two .also catteracts ,but think you have to be on for some time .
    • EileenH
      EileenH penelope10875

      Posted

      I've had a single large floater for most of the time I've had PMR and my superb Scottish optician (who knew a lot about GCA) was never bothered and nor are the local hospital eye department here - where opticians can check pressures in the UK, in Italy all they can do is fit spectacles so I have an annual appointment with a specialist.
  • penelope10875
    penelope10875 misdiagnose

    Posted

    Thank you. I wont panic then about the floaters. A big one was checked out when it happened. 
  • maureen63465
    maureen63465 misdiagnose

    Posted

    I am confused. I had an episode of sharp stabbing pain in right temporal area saturday 9.15am. I have been treated for temporal arteritis in the past. I had a headache and jaw pain and felt unwell. I saw an emergency Doctor saturday evening who confirmed the diagnosis and prescribed Steroids. He advised me to see my Gp for possible biopsy. I saw my Gp today who said I was misdiagnosed  and didn't need a biopsy. but took blood samples anyway and said he would ring me with the results. He said I had an ordinary headache. I would not go to my Gp with an ordinary headache Any help would be appreciated.

    Maureen Smith

    • EileenH
      EileenH maureen63465

      Posted

      Other than seeing another GP I doubt there is much you can do until the blood results are back. On the other hand - if there is any return of the pain from Saturday or any other symptoms then bypass your somewhat unhelpful GP and go to the local hospital and tell them what has happened.

      I really feel that GPs who are so dismissive of a colleague's opinion are, at the very least, rude. He can see inside the arteries can he?

    • misdiagnose
      misdiagnose maureen63465

      Posted

      You, me, the doctors, the Rheumatologists, everyone is confused Maureen. 

      If you have GCA, you should be very quickly referred to a hospital consultant which GPs are reluctant to do.

      You have every right to request a second opinion and suggest a hospital where you can see a Vasculitis Specialist.

      What steroid dose were you given and has it relieved the pain in your temple area? You need to be aware of seeing flashing lights or have discomfort in your eyes. If so, visit A & E as GCA is a medical emergency.

      You could change your GP or call out the emergency doctor again.

      Do consider speaking to your MP about the dangers of GCA and that dismissive treatment by your GP could result in serious infirmity.

      I would also suggest you contact

      Heathwatch: http://www.healthwatch.co.uk/

      Hope the prednisolone has relieved the inflammation in your temporal arteries and that no lasting damage was done.

       

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