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What Causes Temporal Arteritis?
Question: GCA and Lyme Disease
About five weeks ago I started having swelling in the artery on the left side of my head. It became painful in areas and my doctor wanted me to have my ESR and CRP checked as he suspected giant cell arteritis. I had blood tests done while I was in hospital from Dec 8th to Dec 11th and it said "giant platelets present". My ESR was normal and my CRP was below normal, but I was told this is not definitive since it only shows certain information. I saw a rheumatologist who said he doesn't think I have GCA based on my age. The pain went after a few days, but the artery stayed a little inflamed.
Starting today, I have pain in the side of my head and top left side. The artery is raised from my ear up to my scalp. My scalp is tender only on the left side, painful to move my hair. I was having pain near my ear when I chew. I'm also having chest pain on the left side that spreads to the front shoulder and down my arm. Same thing for the right arm.
Two days ago I was told I tested positive for Lyme Disease from a blood test I had a month ago and I started taking doxycycline hyclate. I know that Lyme can cause GCA since it is an autoimmune response. What could I do about GCA since I can't take steroids while on antibiotics for Lyme?
About five weeks ago I started having swelling in the artery on the left side of my head. It became painful in areas and my doctor wanted me to have my ESR and CRP checked as he suspected giant cell arteritis. I had blood tests done while I was in hospital from Dec 8th to Dec 11th and it said "giant platelets present". My ESR was normal and my CRP was below normal, but I was told this is not definitive since it only shows certain information. I saw a rheumatologist who said he doesn't think I have GCA based on my age. The pain went after a few days, but the artery stayed a little inflamed.
Starting today, I have pain in the side of my head and top left side. The artery is raised from my ear up to my scalp. My scalp is tender only on the left side, painful to move my hair. I was having pain near my ear when I chew. I'm also having chest pain on the left side that spreads to the front shoulder and down my arm. Same thing for the right arm.
Two days ago I was told I tested positive for Lyme Disease from a blood test I had a month ago and I started taking doxycycline hyclate. I know that Lyme can cause GCA since it is an autoimmune response. What could I do about GCA since I can't take steroids while on antibiotics for Lyme?
Brief Answer:
Complete the course of antibiotics first.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. If the GCA is not bothering you too much I would insist you to wait about the treatment with steroids. Complete the course of antibiotics and after a minimum interval if the GCA still persists go for a course of short course steroids.
This is what I would like to suggest.
Feel free to write back.
Regards
Complete the course of antibiotics first.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. If the GCA is not bothering you too much I would insist you to wait about the treatment with steroids. Complete the course of antibiotics and after a minimum interval if the GCA still persists go for a course of short course steroids.
This is what I would like to suggest.
Feel free to write back.
Regards
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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