CanCan GCA affect other arteries besides the temporal ones?

Posted , 5 users are following.

i am experiencing hot burning feelings in my thighs and lower back that comes and goes but I am having it more frequently lately.

somewhere I read that it can be caused by GCA.  Is that correct?

Audrey

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Audrey

    Yes GCA can affect other arteries in the body and when it just affects the temporal arteries it is often referred to as Temporal Arteritis.  However, I don't think you need to start worrying yourself that the symptoms you are feeling in your thighs and lower back are attributable to GCA - they are probably much more likely to be symptoms of PMR.

     Many of us can experience symptoms that may be further along the spectrum towards GCA, but it is when the arteries in the head are affected producing symptoms in that area that we really need to act quickly due to the risk to our eyesight. 

    • Posted

      Thanks Mrs. O

      i talked to the rheumatologist and he increased my prednisone from 

      19 to 25/30 until I see him Tuesday. He could have seen me tomorrow but on Tomorrow he is 50 miles away.  I think I'll try 25 first and try to get a blood test tomorrow to bring with me.

      thank you, you made me feel so much better.

  • Posted

    You can also have similar problems due to low back muscle issues - they trap nerves and cause referred pain in low back and upper legs. One form is called myofascial pain syndrome but doesn't show on x-rays as it is soft tissue  - mine I kept under control with Bowen therapy and the occasional visit to an osteopath. I had had one wonderful orthopaedic specialist in Germany who recognised it - the first to know something was wrong from symptoms and examination rather than depending on an x-ray done lying! Many such things only show up when you are standing.
    • Posted

      Thanks Eileen,

      Very informative!  So is this Myofacisl pain not relieved by the prednizone?  If not, is there a solution?

      by the way, welcome back!

      Audrey

    • Posted

      I use Bowen therapy and it works well - higher doses of pred help a lot but it then reemerges as you reduce the dose.

      I'm still here - just this hotel has wi-fi and we have a couple of days before the meeting to do nothing much. The surrounding area isn't very exciting...

    • Posted

      Oh good!  Does that mean I can bother you all day or night or whatever time it is over there.  I missed your wisdom.

      i started Bowen last week but couldn't do anything this week because I felt so crappy.  I went and Cheryl the therapist did something for me standing up before I left.  I am such a mess right now worrying about GCA (I'm a natural worrier) and getting on the right dosage of prednizone. Yesterday I took 30 mg- 20 in the morning and 10 at night.  Didn't have the burning in back and thighs but every once in awhile I get lightheaded and it only lasted a short time.  I was wondering since I have a bit of a problem increasing the dose 

      if I could do 25 one day and 30 the next for awhile.  I think my body is having  problems adjusting.

      My original rheumatologist told me I couldn't get GCA if I were on prednizone or perhaps he meant it wouldn't effect my vision if I did.

      i already went to vascular surgeon and neurologist and they both felt I did not have GCA but rheumatologist suggested biopsy which I refused after seeing vascular, GP who knows nothing and neurologist.

    • Posted

      I know it is easy for me to say but you need to calm down and stop panicking - that just makes it all worse. There are posts on the forum about relaxation options which were aimed at someone else so maybe if you started a new thread with a question about that the same people would post their suggestions. 

      You must be patient and you must rest more for a while - the pred doesn't mean you are able to go back to normal life just yet. This is a chronic illness that keeps on giving and it takes a little while to clear out the accumulated inflammation, it takes longer for some people than others. Fighting and worrying is using energy you can make better use of elsewhere. This is a high dose of pred you are on - and it also affects your body, it is a powerful drug and that alone makes a difference. It isn't forever - so until you see your rheumatologist again act like someone who is ill and rest and leave the housework and other things for a few days.

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