How can you get an infection in your arteries?

[crazycathy2]

How can you get an infection in your arteries if you've not had any surgery? And would you be given steriods to cure it?

Would you also have a stabbing pain behind your eye?

Thanks

[Eve]

Bit medically, maybe Sqad can explain better but some info here...

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=iIusxJzDlIY C&pg=PA78&lpg=PA78&dq=arterial+infections&sour ce=bl&ots=gHDipvrleM&sig=7DASI4-mHstuSqnx0_WAI z4IWbY&hl=en&ei=_CnVSYSUAc3RjAey6dWNDw&sa=X&oi =book_result&ct=result&resnum=1#PPA78,M1

[crazycathy2]

Thank you Jenna.

[sqad617]

cathy.

Arteritis....inflammation of the arteries.
Causes: 1)auto-immune disease
2)infection.
Lets ignore infection as it is very rare,

Auto-immune disease ..many causes but the commonest is Temporal Arteritis (Giant Cell Arterits) which affects the arteries of the skull. Symptoms are terrible pain in the head or eyes and a serious complication is blindness.
Treatment is large doses of steroids.

That is just a "potted" sqad version ...Google Giant Cell Arteritis for a more thorough description.

[crazycathy2]

Thanks Squad - just read that it is scary.

Must have mis understood doctor as can't be that.

[crazycathy2]

Oh No that sounds like it was me it isn't - a friend but she is my age late 20's.

Best keep my mouth shut don't want to scare her.

[sqad617]

cathy....late 20's is a bit young for Temporal Arteritis, but if her Dr. has given her steroids, that would make me think that the diagnosis is correct.

[crazycathy2]

Squad sorry to be a pain but she just sent me a text to say she has an appointment with a vascular surgeon and she's anemic got to eat red meat.She's asked me to go with her.

Is being anemic connected? I am a bit thick.

[sqad617]

cathy ....I am a bit thick to at times and you are not a pain.

Anaemia, arteritis and vascular surgeon just does nor add up in a woman in her late 20s.

Can you get from her more information as to what her presenting symptoms were?

[crazycathy2]

Googled vascular surgeon - can't see how that would fit in.

She had a prickly feeling in her eye about 3 weeks ago - Dr Crazzy diagnosed oncoming conjunctivitis but then when it didn't go red or sticky thought might be a sty. Then she said it was like a stabbing pain but behind her eye and she said she was really tired.

She went to the doctors and he said she had an infection in her arteries as per my first post. Had blood tests in the surgery (the nurse did them after Dr had said she had the infection)

She went back to the drs to get results of blood test and she said her cheek was swollen but I couldn't see that so it wasn't much and then he told her he was making her appt with the vascular surgeon.

I think results of blood tests must have shown she was anemic and the only thing I can think is maybe she thought he said vascular surgeon and he said something else. She said GP made appt on phone and she would be getting a letter in post. Not sure if that would be normal or if any other surgeon woudl sound like vascular.

As far as I know she's never had any health problems although I remember her mum or dad having a heart by pass and the other parent having I think an artery by pass - is there such a thing - was when we were at school.

[sqad617]

crazy........sorry my love that I have been no help.....I am completely lost.
For interests sake, please keep me informed.

[crazycathy2]

Squad you have been of help - you gave me lot of info and a subject to google

Thanks

I will let you know when she's been to the surgeon and what he says

[sqad617]

cathy...thanks.