Temporal Arteritis

farview

Daddima what was it that made you see the doctor?

farview, I was on medication for high blood pressure, and had to visit my GP to have my BP checked, and he did a routine blood test, as I’d been on the drugs for quite a while. That’s when the inflammation showed up. I still have blood tests to make sure the inflammation under control ( though not so many as before C*+id)

I was diagnosed with GCA- Giant Cell Arteritis 10 years ago.
It began with a terrible Headache, then my eyesight was affected. My G.P. told me to take Paracetamol, and didnt take me seriously when I was telling him that the pain was affecting my eyes.
Fortunately I went back one week later when a Locum saw me. He ordered blood tests, and rang me at home the next day- to come to the surgery that day.
Results I was given a massive dose of Prednisolone three times a day. I was then losing the sight in my right eye. I shall always be grateful to that locum, for the swift way he diagnosed the GCA and saved my sight.
However It took eight months before I was finally weaned off the steriods. I had a face like the man in the moon!

Daddima what was it that made you see the doctor?

I had it, but had no symptoms. It was diagnosed after a routine blood test showed inflammation. A biopsy on the vein in my forehead confirmed the diagnosis, and I was prescribed a GIANT dose of steroids ( giving me a gigantic ‘moon face’). It took a few different drugs to try to keep it in check, and I now take fortnightly injections of Toculizimab which does the job.

When tests came back saying this is what DM had, the doctor actually dropped by with a prescription of steroids to say my DM must start them immediately.

Damage to your eyesight is a known side effect, so I would reiterate Floradora's comment about seeking help immediately of it starts to play up.

My parents were of the 'only contact a doctor if something is hanging off or you lose consciousness' generation and my mother did suffer some eyesight deterioration because she did not see the doctor soon enough after first having symptoms.

I was given steroid pills when it was thought I was suffering from this . The one thing they said was if I experienced any double vision to get help at once .

Oh, and some inflammation around her temple.

My mother had it. I think her main symptom was a bad headache