Ive been a poorly boy :( Now confirmed as Temporal Arteritis :( :(

[g8ina]

Its been a rough three weeks !

Started with headaches and fevers. Put up with that for three days then saw GP who suspected meningitis so slapped me with a fat dose of antibiotics.

Following day feeling even worse so went to A&E, took a while to get processed but was admitted. Saw 4 consultants within three hours !!

Most probable diagnosis was (and still is) temporal arteritis, an inflammation of the arteries in the head, which, if left, could lead to strokes, blindness !!

Over the next 72 hrs I had abdominal ultrasound, full head CT scan, chest X-ray. Was discharged from hospital with more antibiotics and steroids to combat the suspected TA.

Over the next week I had 8 lots of blood tests. Quickly ruled out meningitis

Then had an artrial biopsy from by my left ear to check for TA.

Few days after discharge went to my GP with a nasty hacking cough, diagnosed chest infection, so more antibiotics !!!

Had a meeting with rheumatoloy consultant to discuss TA. Said to continue steroids. Still waiting for biopsy results.

And thats where I am right now, still waiting.

Its been a rough three weeks

==============

Edit, now had biopsy results which are "inconclusive" so medics are continuing to treat as Temporal Arteritis (aka Giant Cell Arteritis).

It means I have to be so much more aware of any sight/vision issues, headaches, fevers....

And Ill be on steroids for a bit longer than the two months I have left on this course.

Bum.

[Output]

Oof, sorry to hear that.

I wish you the best in getting through it all and recovering as soon as possible.

[Ice Tea]

Sorry to hear this.

[Rob_B]

Christ, at least it's (hopefully) being dealt with !

[AGTDenton]

Keeping everything crossed for you!

[Kanoe]

Sorry to hear that, the worst bit is always not knowing exactly what it is, hopefully they nail it down quickly.

[ik9000]

goodness that sounds rough. I hope all goes well.

[Jonj1611]

Aww man that sounds rough. Hope they find out what it is and get it sorted!!

[kalniel]

Yikes. Hope you're not allergic to antibiotics..!

[[GSV]Trig]

Cat aids?

Sounds rubbishrubbishrubbishrubbish, at least you've got the docs doing stuff now after the 'take these and come back in 2 weeks' phase...

[Percy1983]

Sounds awful and quite a ride, as others have said its good your now in the system and being checked, hopefully everything gets sorted soon.

[Saracen999]

Oh boy. It's not like you didn't already have enough to cope with, dude.

As has been said, at least you're past the 'gate-keeping' stage with GPs. I really don't envy a GPs day, having to cope with a deluge of miscellaneous aches and sniffles, and the occasional patient with something potentially extremely serious, even life-threatening, without being able to be sure if it is. The gate-keeping is a PITA to go through, but necessary for the rest to stand any chance.

It does sound rather like, once past that (utterly necessary) gate-keeping stage, your feet have barely touched ground as you've hurtled from stage to stage, specialist to specialist, test to test. It's a right pain, metaphorically and sometimes literally, but necessary. And that, in my experience, is where the NHS is still superb.

I hope they get to the bottom of it quickly, and will be thinking of you both.

[sammyc]

Oh beggar sorry to hear, rough is the word and then some, hope the chest infection goes on its way sharpish so the dog can see the rabbit so to speak; all the v best and to Sally.

[cptwhite_uk]

Sorry to here that g8ina, hopefully you'll be on the mend soon - get plenty of rest and some good quality food body to aid any infection.

[g8ina]

Thanks again all, much appreciated. Ive updated my OP. Its now being fully treated as Temporal Arteritis.