Inflammation of blood capillaries in head.

[maywing]

I have just spoken to the Doctor. Two weeks ago I had swelling in two places on my forehead and a headache. So he did blood tests which show my ESR is 40 and CRP is 30. So I am to go on steroid tablets and start methotrexate. I am a bit scared about being told about this swelling thing, my CRP has always been under 10. when \I was first diagnosed I was told the RA could become an aggressive form but because it hasn't been like that I think I've always thought it would be fine. Now I'm scared that things are changing. has anyone else had this swelling of blood capillaries. I am trying hard not to look up symptoms elsewhere because I don't want to scare myself. I am also going through perimenopause. thanks

[allanah]

Havent had this Mayw but it sounds like your inflammation is high and the docs are quite literally hitting it in the head! Thats good agressive treatment they are giving you now and it will help with your future so you hopefully wont develop joint problems etc. I find once i have the steroid jabs after a couple of days i start to feel much better as the inflammation declines. It then usually takes about 12 weeks for the methotrexate to get into your system and start working.

I find my steroids work for about 6 to 8 weeks so when i first started i had a few steroid jabs and indeed an infusion of steroid to get my inflammation ,which was aggressive like yours ,down to a lower level.

I bet you feel like rubbish with this high level but hang on in there, the treatments will settle things down for you and if you dont feel well or are in pain do contact the helpline at the hospital, they are there for things like that! Also I would as the GP about pain relief too as good pain relief makes a huge difference to your day and if your inflammation has gone up so much i suspect you may need a review on that too?

Hope the drugs kick in asap , sending hugs as I remember just how bad I felt at your stage, but there is light at the end of the tunnel and take all the help you can get form others and rest your body when it tells you too I think! A xx

[maywing in reply to allanah]

Thankyou for your reply. Yes I'm not feeling too great but also the steroid tablets have started to upset my tummy and I feel woozy already. thanks for the hug too!

[allanah]

Hi yeah when you look at the side effects of steroids they can make you feel a bit woozy and a bit sickly but i found personally that just when my inflammation is high I often feel a bit sickly and ill anyway. I remember my doctor telling me that sometimes just the inflammation levels being high can set up the reaction of all of your body even including things like heart lungs and stomach inflammations although of course a lot of these things are quite rare! So I think it's a really good idea to have the steroids to reduce the inflammation

rate quickly. You might find you also get very hungry, and it's quite hard not to put on a lot of weight if you're not careful with your diet. I also got a little bit more facial hair. But hah ha ha that's the bad news over, The good news is that the inflammation I found in particular settles very quickly and when you stop the Steroids as directed by the doctor, whatever you do don't stop them quickly, then the side effects tend to disappear as well.

Keep strong and rest when you need to, and most of all be kind to yourself. And here is the second hug of the night XX

[lorann]

I sure do sympathize with you and all the feelings and questions you are tousling around. But Allanah says it all, can't add any better advice so I just wish you well as you get settled, and keep your chin up! Hugs and thoughts and prayers across the Atlantic ! Loret

[maywing]

yes I do feel more hungry....the symptoms feel a lot better at the moment already after only taking one dose. I should only be on them for a short time so hopefully won't get too many side effects. Thanks for your support and the hugs one to you two too! Loret where are you from? can anyone tell me how you look up members I only seem to be able to get new members coming up.