Severe head pain - feels like its my whole head! RA?

[Brushwork]

It has now happened on 3 occasions. It is at its worse at night.

I am a migraine sufferer and I take Sumatriptan for them. I am also still taking Tocilizumab (for now) but have an allergic reaction to it, so take an antihistamine to counter the reaction. I see the Rheumy on the 8th Nov.

The pain builds up and my first attempt to alleviate it has been to drink a glass of water because I do get dehydration headaches. I also try to sleep, but on all 3 occasions the head pain has woken me. I then take an anti-inflammatory since it feels like inflammation, that doesn't work, I take paracetamol, that doesn't work. Only then, as a last resort do I take Sumatriptan. The pain is not like a 'migraine' it is more like a sinus infection without all the other signs of a sinus infection. The Sumatriptan works.

I looked up Migraines with sinus issues and found that there is a link! Could it also be link to the RA or the Tocilizumab reaction? It has now happened 3 times over 2 weeks (if this were an infection, surely the pain would return quickly?).

I am going to call the GP today and see what they have to say...

PS. - a sketch I’ve been playing with

[Marionfromhappydays]

You have my absolute sympathy, its hideous;I've posted about this before but I've had terrible head pains, not migraines but terrible pain that I couldn't shake off.

ENT think its referred pain from my immune system (lymph tissue at base of tongue) reacting (they called it reactive tissue and i was having a flare in my jaw at the time) .

My GP were baffled as no sign of infection and rheumatology were adamant it wasn't due to my RA. Many various investigations later and it is my wonky immune system and RA.

Could also possibly be linked to biologics as some people do have sinus issues with them. Could you contact your supplier of the biologics and speak to a specialist nurse ?

Think maybe GP is a good idea to rule out things, hope it resolves for you x

[Brushwork in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

Really not sure what is going on. Tocilizumab is showing signs of losing the RA battle in body, but not so sure if that is the cause of the headaches. GP was not very helpful, gave me antibiotics for sinus infection, to see if that stopped it. Trial and error approach, seems familiar....😂

[Mmrr]

Beautiful sketch.I tend to get headaches when I'm in a flare and have bad brain fog....which can then lead to a headache.

The headaches are quite different from migraines which I did experience many years ago.

When the RD is well controlled no headaches.

[Brushwork in reply to Mmrr]

I have never had head pain like it before, it was almost as if it were in my skull bones. My face was tender to the touch. The weird thing is that it would completely disappear for a few days before the next attack - not sure that would happen if it were an infection. My instinct suggests that it is like a short term flare, of the type I used to get in the early days of RA (though I don't ever remember having it in my head like this). Happy to take a course of antibiotics to rule out an infection, as the GP suggested.

Thank you, I love to draw and paint but the whole covid thing seemed to steel my inspiration.

[Hidden]

I like your sketch, very atmospheric.

[Brushwork in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I usually draw portraits and paint land/seascapes.

[Pythagorus]

Not envious of your headaches but love your sketch. You are truly talented 😊

[Brushwork in reply to Pythagorus]

Thank you

[Bobbiebella]

On a recent visit to RA physio I mentioned I had pain in my head. She called doctor and I had to be tested for Grand Cell Arteritis..GCA. Thankfully tests were negative..maybe worth looking up...fingers crossed there is a simple remedy..take care..xxx

[Brushwork in reply to Bobbiebella]

My mum suffered Giant Cell Atheritis, I think the pain is different in that it’s the temple areas which are particularly involved. Will keep an eye on it though, and definitely mention it to the Rheumy.

[Richmond162]

Hi. I have been diagnosed with PMR. Am worried about GCA. Can I ask for a test at my GP surgery do you know? Or did your mum get diagnosed with it first? Many thanks.

[Brushwork in reply to Richmond162]

Hi, PMR is bad enough but the GCA caused mum severe headaches. Mum was referred to Rheumatologist who then sent her for a biopsy to confirm diagnosis. That is as much as I remember. Hope you get some advice.

[Richmond162 in reply to Brushwork]

thank you!