GCA (TA) Biopsy

Following suspected dx of GCA and put on 60mg Prednisone 11 days ago, I had my biopsy today, it was more than I had expected, an hour in theatre with a local anaesthetic, I expected 10 mins in a treatment room but I guess give what they had to do, it had to be as it was, just as well I didn't know before! So now the wait for the result which I know could not be definitive . I get blood tests on Monday then wait to see GP the following week (he's on holiday) to see how my inflammatory markers are, they were coming down prior to steroids so hopefully with steroids the picture will be much improved. The plan is to gradually reduce the steroids over 18 months. I am trying to stick to complex carbohydrates and limit them and eat more protein in the hope this will help avoid too much weight gain.

This is my third auto immune disease, I have MS, dx in 2001 but had it 15 years without knowing = 28 years, still on my feet so not bad! Then 3 years ago I got Alopecia Areata, where hair retured it's white! Need to wear a wig because growth at bottom back did not return. Now possible GCA! Obviously my immune system is troubled! I can outwardly handle stress but don't seem to deal with it internally, MS onset, Alopecia onset and now this all coincide with times of huge stess, My mum hit the nail on the head I think, some people exlode, I seem to implode. What I can do about it I'm not sure but I think I need to do something or I could end up in more trouble!

The consultant told me that TA/GCA does not normally come back but reading on here that does not seem to be the case. My symptoms were so slight to start with and not things I would connect and tell the GP, one has to be very vigilent to spot this.

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