vision problem related to GCA?

I also have recently been diagnosed with both PMR and GCA, and was put on 50mg  Prednisone as a starting dose due to the severity of the PMR and I can assure you the symptoms you speak of ARE CLASSIC GCA, and you urgently need to get to your GP if not a rheumatologist urgently.  Do not leave it! The longer you are on prednisone BEFORE you have a temporal biopsy runs the risk of the biopsy results producing a "false positive" result, which means they come back clear but you still have GCA, and to not treat it can be life threatening. I was on prednisone for 6 weeks between GP diagnosis and first rheumatologist appointment however after I described the EXACT sypmptoms you mention, he couldn't organise my biopsy quick enough. He had an eye specialist and a seperate vascular surgeon organised for the next day, with the biopsy performed in hospital 6am the morning after. The treatment for,GCA is the same as for,PMA only possibly a higher dose. But you need to be correctly diagnosed, treated and AWARE! 

It's always good to check these things out.

I kept running to my rheumatologist when I had similar,transient, symptoms. He told me if symptoms transient then normal part of PMR. As a matter of fact both my internist who is also a rheumatologist, told me the same.

Always check it out though. Some believe GCA is "extreme" PMR on a spectrum of symptoms.

Retired nurse anesthetist NJ

I had the same symptoms as you & since being on the pred the jaw pain & pulsing has gone. The doctor didn't even mention GCA to me but since researching have realised alot of the head issues I had, that have now disappeared must have responded to the pred.

I've had vision problems too which has also settled but new glasses helped!

linlin, as others have stated be aware of GCA, but with that said the list of side effects of Predinisone includes most of your problems. Pred effects us all in different ways, but it does effect us. Thank God for it life without it would be impossible!

Scalp pain is classical GCA, ears can be involved in GCA (there is a study ongoing and I'll find the link).

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/research-gca-pmr-601506

If you are in the UK do please join in with it.

Jaw pain does tend to be when eating, speaking or the like. Have you been to your optometrist?  You may be developing a cataract anyway - never hurts for them to have a look.

Linlin, I noticed your posts on other sites. During my first year after the PMR diagnosis I was completely paranoid about GCA, and prednisone side effects,   I had all the things you mentioned at various times and they were a worry at the time. However, since they often disppeared as quickly as they came, were minor in nature and did not increase in severity I accepted them as PMR/prednisone related.  However, I still remain vigilant!!

 

Vison problems should be checked by an expert.  If you feel ANY loss of vision go directly to emergency and explain your situation; you may need urgent intervention.  Otherwise I recommend you see an ophthalmolgist or similarly qualified eye specialist who can examine your eyes carefully.  You should also be aware that pred itself can cause increase ocular pressure so your eyes need to be monitored anyway.