She says her jaw hurts when she eats

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Deciding whether to call 911 or wait in a crowded emergency room can be challenging. If your grandmother is experiencing symptoms suggestive of temporal arteritis, such as severe headache, visual disturbances, or jaw pain, it is advisable to seek immediate medical attention.
If she is experiencing visual changes or loss of vision, calling 911 is warranted as these are signs of an acute emergency that requires urgent intervention. In less acute situations, going directly to the emergency room may be appropriate, but it is important to communicate the urgency of the symptoms to healthcare providers upon arrival.
7. What Doctors Will Do First: Exams, Blood Tests, And Scans
Upon arriving at the emergency room, doctors will conduct a thorough evaluation to assess the severity of the symptoms. This typically includes a physical examination, focusing on the head and eyes, to check for tenderness and swelling of the temporal arteries.
Blood tests, such as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), may be ordered to detect inflammation. In some cases, imaging studies like an ultrasound or MRI of the temporal arteries may be performed to assess the extent of the inflammation. These tests help guide the diagnosis and treatment plan.
8. Why Steroids Are Often Started Immediately—Even Before All Tests Are Back
In cases where temporal arteritis is strongly suspected, doctors often start treatment with high-dose corticosteroids immediately, even before all test results are available. The primary goal is to quickly reduce inflammation and prevent complications, such as vision loss.
Starting steroids early can significantly improve outcomes and help alleviate symptoms, while further diagnostic tests are conducted to confirm the diagnosis. The rapid initiation of treatment is a critical aspect of managing temporal arteritis effectively.
9. How Temporal Artery Biopsy Confirms The Diagnosis 

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