OT...bulging temporal arteries

Hi my friends, Just got back from the rheumy, looks like I'm going to have a biopsy on my temporal artery. Rheumy is concerned of the possibility of Giant Cell Arteritis. It is an inflammatory disease of the arteries in the head...another crazy autoimmune disease that can cause blindness or stroke. I am trying to think positive. My head still feels like it was hit by a frying pan on the left side.

I'm suppossed to continue to take it easy no exercise. He put me on prednisone and took me off the immunosupressants until the biopy is done and healed.

I'm waiting on a call for the biopsy date...rheumy was trying to get me iin this week. I'll keep you posted. I'm thinking positive, but it is still a little scary. I'll keep you posted.

Hugs, Robin

Robin, sorry that your temperol artery has not calmed down yet. Good luck with the biopsy!! You are in my thoughts

Oh, Robin, of course this is frightening!  I've never heard of this either.  But, I'm very glad your doctor is moving quickly with this to get to the bottom of what is causing your problem.  At least they don't have you waiting months for the tests. 

 

I'll be praying keeping this in my prayers.  Please feel better.

 

Sherrine

Robin,

There's just no end to the things that can go haywire in the human body, is there? Well, if anyone can keep a positive attitude through all this, it's you! I'm glad, too, that your doctor isn't messing around with this, but sorry that you can't exercise. I am also praying for you.

Hugs, Debbie

Thank you all for your kind words, support and prayers. My fibro family is close to my heart. I draw inspiration from each one of you. You are caring, giving and understanding in spite of every thing you go through....that is why I love this forum!

It looks like it is going to be a waiting game for me. My biopsy is not scheduled until February 16 th. Patience is not one of my virtues, but I'm working on it.

I had already purchased tickets to fly to WI Mar.5 to visit family.
My Mom is celebrating her 80th birthday. I'm confident that I will be able to travel.

Thanks again, my friends! Hope you have a wonderful day!

Hugs, Robin

GCA is one of my biggest fears since I have been dx'd with polymyalgia rheumatica 8 months ago.  There is alot of information regarding GCA on the net but you may find more if you google PMR because they tend to run hand in hand.  Hopefully you won't develop PMR but I would definately check out the symptom list and be on the look out for it. 

I hope your doctor started you on at least 40mg prednisone daily because this is the normal starting dosage for GCA.  For PMR it is 15-20mg daily.  

Good Luck and let me know if you find anything else out.  This is a very serious condition and not to be taken lightly.  You can loose your sight and once it is gone that's it, no going back.