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  3. Polymyalgia Rheumatica and GCA

Happy to be diagnosed.

Posted , 8 users are following.

Lizfor
Lizfor

I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia and GCA almost by accident. I had a chest infection and a week of antibiotics but four days after finishing them I went back to the GP with a sore throat, swollen eyelids and a swollen ear canal. In the discussion on swelling I just happened to mention that I had a swollen ‘vein’ on the side of my head. To cut a long story short; 10 hours in A&E, rheumatologist appointment within the week, immediate start on 60mg prednisolone per day and today I go for a biopsy.

When I look back I realise that I have been in trouble for some time. I have osteoarthritis but my osteoarthritis didn’t seem like everyone else's. I had pains everywhere for about two years, fatigue, sweating, shooting pains, sore areas etc. It seemed to come on very suddenly after going on a short walk and realising I was having trouble walking back. It was downhill from there and I put it down to, rightly or wrongly, starting statins. I was in such a mess that I told my GP I never wanted statins again.

Because I have multiple health problems It was very difficult for anyone to diagnose the problem but looking back I see that signs had been evident for some time but no one, including me, had put two and two together. Because of my health problems I have kept notes over the years, and looking back over this last two years there are multiple comments such as ‘pain in front of ears’, ‘headache on lhs’, ‘I think one of my veins is swollen’, ‘can’t sleep on that side’ etc. I seemed to be on a downward spiral of pain.

Fortunately I have a very good GP who always takes me seriously and tries her best to find solutions, even writing to my consultants to see if they could throw any light on anything.

So here I am, I’m not looking forward to the biopsy but I feel strangely happy that at last I have a diagnosis and if all works out well I can look forward to better health.

The steroids have been great, not a joy to take but the swelling was gone within 48 hours as was the stiffness and a lot of the pain. I have been on high steroids before for another reason so I know it is no picnic coming off them but I managed it and I will again.

 

0 likes, 19 replies

19 Replies

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  • jae61606
    jae61606 Lizfor

    Posted

    My husband was recently diagnosed and thus board has been wonderful. I can't offer much advice since my husband and I are new to this. But  your positive attitude and resolve is inspiring to me. 

  • amkoffee
    amkoffee Lizfor

    Posted

    I too blamed a lot of my problems on other things. I had a bad back so a lot of things were blamed on that. And there was the hip pain was blamed on brusitis and the elbow pain was tendinitis and the hand pain was fatigue and I could go on and on. When all along it was PMR. And like you, within a couple of day so 20mg of pred my pain was gone.
    • EileenH
      EileenH amkoffee

      Posted

      It is the overall picture that matters - each on its own isn't as concerning as all together. Holistic medicine...

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