Anyone been thru this? I've been having severe headaches in the right temple for months and finally decided to talk to my rhummy about it. She sent me to the ER tonight to start on steroids and get blood tests. My sed rates are a little elevated. So she wants me to get a temporal artery biopsy to check for giant cell arteritis as soon as possible. Just wondering if anyone has some insight on this condition. I'm kinda scared - about the test AND the possible diagnosis.
I'm sorry that you got this diagnosis. You have had these headaches for so long that I am glad you sent further for a checkup. I don't know much about this problem but I know that I have had patients with the problem who have done well with the steroids. I will have to research this further. I would bet that Linda196 will reply and have information for you. She is go good at keeping up and explaining things.
Please keep up updated how how you are doing and progressing on the treatment. Take care and rest cause I bet you are exhausted from those bad headaches. Have a good holiday season coming up. Hugs and Blessings. meirish
Unfortunately I have way to much experience with TA. My mother was diagnosed in her 60's The headaches were blinding and at first treated with Migraine meds, but very quickly progressed to biopsy and steroids when that made them even worse. She did well with a 6 month course of steroids, other than, as she put it "Sumo wrestler appetite" and a 15 kg weight gain. The weight did come of fairly quickly when she stopped steroids.
I was diagnosed in my 40's again confused with the migraines I had had since childhood and not falling into the most common demographic, but biopsied due to family history. At the time I had been declining steroid treatment for sarcoidosis, preferring symptomatic treatment, but gladly accepted a 6 month course that not only resolved the TA, but lessened the migraines! Bonus.
My Mother in law complained of all the symptoms in her 80's, and was biopsied (which in her case seemed to require 24 hour nursing care for the first day), but was negative, As it turned out, a neighbour in her seniors complex was positively diagnosed at that time, but as she was in her 90's and blind from macular degeneration, she was treated to resolve the pain, and there's no way of knowing if the TA would have caused further issues with vision.
Possible negative outcomes can be frightening, including permanent loss of vision , and an increased risk of aortic aneurysm, but your doctor will be familiar with these risk and monitor you both during and following treatment. The good news is, when diagnosed and treated promptly, it responds well.
Thanks for your info Linda. I had forgotten your history of headaches, etc. I had done some research and what you have said about many times being able to improve with the use of steroids is frequent. I wonder if they have any new meds out there or if they have tried the IV autoimmune drugs and biologic, etc. Might be something coming down the pike in that sort of treatment. Take care and have a comfortable and wonderful Christmas season with family and friends. meirish
Thank you both for the reply. This is a wonderful place to get info and support.
Linda 196, it's good to hear that both you and your mom were successfully treated for this. My rhummy at Un of M is so helpful and quickly contacted me with instructions. I wish Un of M was closer so it could all done there but hopefully I can find a good ophthalmologist here.
It's just so scary. I hate the way the 60mg steroids make my heart pound but maybe (if her diagnosis is correct) it will lessen the headaches in a few days. Meanwhile, I'm terrified my arteries will explode!
My husband is undergoing treatment for stage 4 renal cancer with daily radiation, so I have a lot on my plate. But, if this turns out to be the correct diagnosis and the steroids get rid of the pain, it will be a huge relief!
Thanks again!
dee, I am sorry to hear that your husband is ill. Seems like when it rains it pours. So hard to be a caregiver when we don't feel well ourselves.
Have you told your doctor how you feel with the prednisone dosage. I don't do well on those high mgm but there are times when we need them. I wonder if there is something they use nowadays that will control all the pounding heart, etc that one experiences. I don't even know if a persons body will adjust to that dose eventually.Hope that your husband does well and that you get over the headache, etc. Good luck and prayers for both of you. meirish