When you first hear the word arteritis in giant cell arteritis (GCA), you may assume it is related to arthritis — after all, the names sound almost the same. The two conditions affect the body in very different ways.
Rheumatoid arthritis [roo·muh·toyd aar·thrai·tuhs] is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation—pain, swelling, and stiffness—in the synovium, the layer surrounding the joints. RA can affect organs and systems beyond the joints. An autoimmune condition happens when cells in our body that are supposed to protect us, like our immune cells, get confused and start attacking healthy tissues, joints, and organs instead of harmful invaders.
Arteritis [ahr-tuh-rahy-tis], on the other hand, is inflammation of the arteries — the blood vessels that carry oxygen from the heart to the rest of the body. For people like Jenny, understanding this difference isn’t just about learning a new medical term; it’s about grasping the seriousness of a disease that can affect blood flow to vital organs, including the eyes. When blood flow is blocked or reduced, the tissues and organs that rely on that blood don’t get enough oxygen and nutrients. That’s why conditions like arteritis can cause complications—like sudden vision loss or muscle weakness—if they aren’t treated quickly.
Jenny’s Experience Shows Why Recognizing the Signs of GCA Matters
Jenny, 86, who was born and raised in Belgium and spent her career as a social worker helping children, has lived with both polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and GCA. About ten years ago, she was diagnosed with PMR, and seven years later, she developed GCA after what she describes as “the worst headache of my life.”
Headaches are a common symptom of GCA and can be sudden, severe, and unlike any headache a person has felt before Even with medical care, she had to advocate for herself to get the attention she needed — pushing for appointments, monitoring her symptoms, and managing long-term steroid use.
“It’s not just the physical element,” Jenny says. “It’s the emotional toll — the constant worry that you might lose your sight.” For Jenny, and many others like her, distinguishing arteritis from arthritis is essential — because understanding the difference can mean recognizing when symptoms require urgent care.
Where These Conditions Take Aim in the Body
Giant cell arteritis (GCA):
Affects the arteries, especially those in the head and neck, which carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body. The immune system attacks the artery walls, especially those in the head and neck (such as the temporal arteries). This causes inflammation and swelling inside blood vessels, which can reduce blood flow — sometimes threatening vision if the arteries near the eyes are affected.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA):
RA is an autoimmune disease; the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints (the synovium), causing inflammation that can damage cartilage and bone. RA affects the joints, where bones meet — most often the hands, wrists, knees, and feet—but RA can also harm various parts of the body, such as the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels. You can read more about rheumatoid arthritis here.
Osteoarthritis (OA):
OA affects the joints, where bones meet — most often the knees, hips, hands, and spine. It happens when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of bones gradually breaks down, leading to pain, stiffness, and sometimes bone spurs. OA is primarily a wear-and-tear disease, though injury, overuse, or genetics can make it worse. You can read more about osteoarthritis here.
Main Symptoms
GCA: New or severe headache (often at the temples), scalp tenderness, jaw pain when chewing, vision changes, and sometimes fatigue or fever.
OA: Joint pain that worsens with use, stiffness after rest, loss of flexibility, and sometimes bone spurs.
RA: Warm, swollen, painful joints (often in the hands, wrists, or knees), fatigue, and sometimes whole-body symptoms like low-grade fever.
Who It Affects
GCA: Almost always affects adults over 50 and is more common in women and people of Northern European descent.
OA: Common with aging but can affect anyone at any age, especially after joint injuries.
RA: More common in women; usually begins between ages 30 and 60.
What Giant Cell Arteritis Feels Like
One of the most common warning signs of GCA is a new, throbbing headache, often on one or both sides of your forehead or near your temples. Many people describe it as a headache unlike any they’ve ever had before — constant, deep, and sometimes severe.
You might also notice that the skin on your scalp or temples feels tender or sore — even gentle brushing or touching your hair can be uncomfortable. Some people experience jaw pain that worsens when chewing, which can make eating difficult.
Because GCA affects the arteries that supply blood to the eyes, it can also cause vision problems, such as blurry vision, double vision, or even brief episodes of vision loss. These symptoms should always be treated as an emergency and checked right away. Other signs can be more general and easy to overlook, like fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, or unintentional weight loss.
Many people also feel muscle aches or stiffness in their shoulders, upper arms, hips, thighs, lower back, or buttocks — similar to what’s seen in a related condition called polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).
If you ever experience a sudden new headache — especially with any of these other symptoms — it’s important to seek medical care quickly. With the right treatment, serious complications such as vision loss can often be prevented.
How GCA is Treated
Understanding the difference among these conditions is important because their treatments vary greatly. The main goal of GCA treatment is to reduce inflammation in the arteries and prevent complications such as vision loss.
Corticosteroids as First-Line Treatment
As soon as GCA is suspected, doctors usually start high-dose corticosteroids like prednisone — sometimes even before test results come back. These medicines work quickly to calm inflammation and protect the blood vessels, especially those that supply the eyes.
The high dose may continue for several weeks or months.
The dose is then gradually reduced (“tapered”) once symptoms and lab results improve.
Some people need to stay on a low dose long-term to prevent the condition from returning.
Because steroids can have side effects (like bone thinning, high blood sugar, or weight gain), doctors monitor patients closely and may recommend calcium, vitamin D, and bone-protective medicines to help keep bones healthy.
Steroid-Sparing Medications
If someone can’t tolerate steroids well or needs a lower dose, doctors may add another medicine that helps control inflammation. The most common is tocilizumab — a biologic drug given as an injection or infusion. It works by targeting a specific pathway of inflammation in GCA and can help reduce the amount and frequency of steroids needed.
Regular Follow-Up Care
People with GCA usually see a rheumatologist (and often an ophthalmologist, if vision is affected) for regular monitoring. Blood tests help check inflammation levels, and symptoms are reviewed at every visit.
It’s important to report any new headaches, vision changes, or jaw pain right away, as these can be signs of a flare.
Managing the Emotional Side
Living with GCA can be stressful, especially with worries about vision and long-term medication use. Many patients find it helpful to build a care team, ask questions, and connect with others who understand what it’s like to manage this condition.
Living Well with GCA
Living with GCA can be challenging — not just physically, but emotionally too. The condition can cause fear and uncertainty, especially when symptoms like headaches or vision changes appear. But with the right care, knowledge, and support, many people are able to live full, active lives while managing GCA.
Advocate for Yourself
Jenny learned the importance of speaking up when something didn’t feel right. If you notice new symptoms — like headaches, jaw pain, or changes in your vision — don’t wait to tell your doctor. Trust your instincts. You know your body best.
Build a care team you trust.
Because GCA affects blood vessels and can impact vision, it’s helpful to have both a rheumatologist and an ophthalmologist involved in your care. If you feel your concerns aren’t being heard, it’s okay to seek a second opinion — as Jenny did when she changed doctors to find someone who took her symptoms seriously.
Manage long-term treatment with care.
Steroids are often necessary but can bring side effects. Work closely with your doctor to find the right balance, and ask about ways to protect your bones, maintain a healthy diet, and exercise safely.
Take care of your emotional health.
The constant worry about flare-ups or vision changes can be exhausting. Talking with a counselor, joining a support group, or connecting with others who have GCA can make a big difference. Sharing your story — like Jenny does — helps remind others that they’re not alone.
Focus on what you can control.
Healthy habits like eating well, staying active, and getting regular checkups can help you feel stronger and more confident in managing your condition. Many people find that these small daily choices help them feel more in control and optimistic about their future.
Shining a Light on Giant Cell Arteritis
Be Part of History: The First-Ever Global GCA Awareness Day — October 23, 2025
We are launching the first-ever GCA Awareness Day on October 23, 2025. This historic day will unite patients, caregivers, clinicians, and advocates from around the world to raise awareness about giant cell arteritis. We invite you to join the movement by sharing your story, posting on social media, and helping spread the word using the hashtags #GlobalGCAAwarenessDay, #GCAAwareness, and #TogetherForGCA. Every post, every conversation, and every shared experience helps raise visibility and brings us one step closer to better understanding and support for the GCA community. Visit our GCA page for resources.
Together, we can shine a light on this often-overlooked condition, share stories, and support those living with GCA. Use your voice, share a post, and help raise awareness around the world.
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