Temporal Arteritis - advice please
Posted , 11 users are following.
I have had a swollen vein on on my left temple 3 times since February. The first time I dialled 111 and spoke to a Doctor who said he didn't think it was anything to worry about. The second time I went to see a Doctor at my GP practice. He arranged a blood test for Temporal Arteritis the same day, and this came back negative. He said to see how it goes and that I could just have a tendency to big veins on my head. The only other symptoms have been a mild headache in the area of the temple. The vein on the left temple was up again last week, and last night my right temple vein swelled up. I have now arranged another appointment for Thursday as I am worried. Are these the usual symptoms for Temporal Arteritis? Please any advice would be appreciated. I am supposed to be going on holiday in just over a week to China and India, and really don't know what will happen now.
1 like, 34 replies
jacky1950 dawn55273
Posted
EileenH jacky1950
Posted
This is a very old thread I'm afraid so I don't know what answers you may get.
If you are in your late 40s or older there is a real possibility you could have something called giant cell arteritis which would affect the temporal artery which is where you describe the swollen blood vessel. If you have any visual symptoms you need to go to A&E - but if you are talking about pounds, why have you spent thousands on doctors? The NHS doesn't cost.
jacky1950 EileenH
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EileenH jacky1950
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Then you must take your husband with you to the GP - it does seem to concentrate some doctor's minds! Tell them you want to be referred to a specialist - since it isn't typical GCA if that is all you have they may send you to a medical clinic but they should be able to work it out and get a rheumy involved. Get him to be insistent - after all, it affects him as much as you. If nothing else - you need some sort of help if you are having suicidal thoughts.
FlipDover_Aust jacky1950
Posted
Hi Jacky, sounds like it's time to sit in the GPs office or A&E and refuse to leave until someone takes you seriously. Take a loud and demanding support person with you. You don't have to live like this and you certainly don't want it to kill you. Get angry, use that anger to get things sorted.
jacky1950 FlipDover_Aust
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EileenH jacky1950
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Since I assume you are in the UK - you would be better to stop wasting money on so-called "headache specialists" and stick to the NHS. Or at the very least use your money for seeing a good NHS specialist who does private work.
jacky1950 EileenH
Posted
yes i do live in uk cornwall i have seen 3 specialists already it cost me £900 for them to tell me 1 low mood 2 migraine 3 get out and exercise no one seems to take note of what i am telling them.i am writting this while i am in bed because i just can not get my self together, my husband phoned our doctor this morning they said someone will call back they did only to tell him we will try her on another tablet rubbish.had to cancel the eye hospital because i can not get in the car for feeling so sick.
EileenH jacky1950
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I'm sorry - I've run out of suggestions. Except maybe a new GP without pre-conceptions as to what it might be?
jacky1950 EileenH
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FlipDover_Aust jacky1950
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I'm in Australia, and I know that if I went to my A&E and refused to go home until someone sorted it out they would get moving pretty quick! DEMAND you get treatment, not a fob off!
FlipDover_Aust
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My impression of you pommies is that you don't like to complain or make a fuss, but I would advise that NOW is the time to do exactly that! :-)
EileenH FlipDover_Aust
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