Some people with PMR also develop giant cell arteritis (GCA) — an inflammation of arteries in the head and elsewhere. GCA can threaten vision and needs same-day evaluation and treatment.
Red flags: See your doctor or go to ER
If you have PMR-like symptoms and any of these, call your doctor or go to urgent care/ER immediately:
- New or different headache, especially over the temples
- Scalp tenderness (hurts to brush hair or touch the scalp)
- Jaw pain with chewing that eases when you stop (claudication or cramping pain in the jaw)
- Vision changes: blurred vision, double vision, transient vision loss, or a “shade” coming down over one eye
- Fever, fatigue, or new arm/leg pain with activity (limb claudication) can also occur
What happens in urgent care
- A clinician will check your story and exam, order inflammation labs (ESR/CRP), and may arrange vascular ultrasound or a temporal-artery biopsy.
- Treatment should not wait if GCA is strongly suspected; high-dose steroids are started immediately to protect vision, and the dose is tapered later. Some patients may also receive steroid-sparing therapy.
Why quick action matters
Untreated GCA can lead to permanent vision loss. Starting treatment promptly greatly lowers that risk. If you’re already being treated for PMR and develop the red-flag symptoms above, contact your care team the same day.
