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Severe head pain

Posted , 9 users are following.

pam1793
pam1793

Does anyone who has GCA ever get severe head pain, maybe in the front and the side.  I do, and usually attribute it to my migraines, but I've been in a lot of pain since yesterday afternoon.  Even after taking two Percocet last night, the pain is still there.

What worries me is that today I woke up with a swollen, red and blurry left eye.  I'm considering going to the ER, but I really don't want to.  I also don't want to go blind though from the GCA.  Any thoughts?

0 likes, 18 replies

18 Replies

  • FlipDover_Aust
    FlipDover_Aust pam1793

    Posted

    Going blind v going to the hospital....... not much of a decision really - GO!
    • pam1793
      pam1793 FlipDover_Aust

      Posted

      I know.  You're right, but it could just be from a killer migraine vs GCA.  I'll go in the morning if it's not any better.  The same thing happened about a month ago and my doctor sent me for blood tests and a CAT scan to check for bleeding on my brain.  Everything came back negative.  

  • Ardern
    Ardern pam1793

    Posted

    I would go to your doctor or ER as soon as possible in 2015 I started with server jaw pain and optical migraine which turn out to be GCA. Was put on a high dose of pred and the pain and vision issue quicky disappered. It better to find out you have GCA than go blind. I hope things turn out of for you

    Good Luck

  • tory38006
    tory38006 pam1793

    Posted

    Pam, flipdover is right.This isn't anything to guess about or put off.

    Severe pain in the head is your body sending you a strong warning

    Better safe than sorry

  • EileenH
    EileenH pam1793

    Posted

    If you already have GCA or PMR - then severe headache, especially across the front and the temple area are typical symptoms of GCA, especially when normal painkillers have no effect. If you are having blurring of vision then you must see either your rheumaotlogist or go to the ER - you have typical symptoms of a flare of GCA and that must be assessed. 

    I realise this is now the middle of the night in the US - but anyone else who has a read here:

    if you have these sort of symptoms don't mess about, see a doctor asap. If you have any visual syptoms and it is GCA - the risk of losing your sight is too high to "wait and see". Even if only one eye is affected, the chances of losing sight in the other eye is there without very prompt treatment. Once the vision is gone, it's gone and there is no way of reversing it. No surgery, no drugs. 

    • pam1793
      pam1793 EileenH

      Posted

      I just spoke to the nurse in my rheumatologist office.  She's going to talk to the doctor and get back to me.  Thank you all very much.

      My stubborn self hates to jump the gun and run to the ER because I've had to go their too many times in the past with my migraines.  This disease is making me nutty. I just want it to GO AWAY! 

      Eileen, I didn't realize you were across the pond! I know others are, too, and I think it's so cool that we all are able to communicate via this forum! The whole world needs to take lessons from us. 

    • EileenH
      EileenH pam1793

      Posted

      I'm not just "across the pond" - I am in northern Italy!

      This is a site based in the north of England - it was originally started by a couple of doctors to provide reliable and founded info for other doctors. Five ladies "met" here about 10 years ago and got together to start the English PMRGCA charities, there already was one in Scotland. There are now 3 English charities and 3 forums including this one. 

    • EileenH
      EileenH pam1793

      Posted

      If the nurse doesn't get back to you very soon - go to the office and present yourself. If they are open that is the best place to go, they know the history, the ER doesn't. Do not leave it until tomorrow - you need an answer today.

    • carolk
      carolk EileenH

      Posted

      hi eileen would value your opinion on a medical ? on other forum carolk
    • pam1793
      pam1793 EileenH

      Posted

      Thank you! I had no idea! Italy! How exciting.  I've never been to Italy.  I've never even been to Europe! Hoping to feel well enough some day to travel. 

    • Devonmichael
      Devonmichael EileenH

      Posted

      Eileen you mention three GCA sites? I know of the PMRGCAuk healthunlocked forum and of course this one. What is the third please?

      ​Thanks Michael

    • EileenH
      EileenH Devonmichael

      Posted

      The NE of England one. It is very quiet at present -it was the second forum after this one and was very active but there were server problems and we had to start a new one, in the process losing a lot of contacts as many hadn't provided email contacts. It is very different from the other two (mercifully for me!), we don't ban much and have a laugh as well. The link is in the usual place: 

      https://patient.info/forums/discuss/pmr-gca-website-addresses-and-resources-35316

  • JanSP
    JanSP pam1793

    Posted

    Don't wait, go to the ER. I have GCA (biopsy confirmed) and the headaches,the initial bout and the four flares over seven years, have been in different areas of my head - top, sides, front even back. Let the ER decide what it is. There is a woman in my retirement community that is blind in one eye because she wasn't diagnosed soon enough!

    • pam1793
      pam1793 JanSP

      Posted

      Oh, geez.  Thank you.  Will do.  Unfortunately the office is a 90 minute drive.  The ER is much closer.
    • pam1793
      pam1793 FlipDover_Aust

      Posted

      My eye is much better today.  When my doctor called me back yesterday, he said he didn't feel it was GCA related in any way.  I probably did too much one day and just upset all the nerves on the left side of my head.  Everything about me is so sensitive to touch that it doesn't take much to throw everything off.  Truth be told, I scrubbed the shower and did a few light calisthenics one day, plus pushed a heavy shopping cart at the store, and the next day is when it all started...severe pain...red, swollen, blurry eye, etc.  I just can't do much these days without suffering repercussions.  If I do basically nothing, I'm much better off. I'd rather be riding my bike and working out at the gym, but that is not possible anymore.  Some days we just have to be thankful to be able to get out of bed, right?

      Wishing everyone a hopefully low pain or pain-free weekend!

    • EileenH
      EileenH pam1793

      Posted

      Hmmm - I don't have GCA but that programme would certainly wake my PMR up! I think you are probably skating on some thin ice and any overexertion makes the autoimmune part get the upper hand. Perhaps just 1/2mg more might let you do a bit more? Discuss it with your rheumy - when you are feeling fairly good.

    • FlipDover_Aust
      FlipDover_Aust pam1793

      Posted

      Sounds like you need to learn to pace yourself a little better!

      (easier said than done - I know!)

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