RHS of Temple showing swollen artery, compared to the LHS, yesterday.

[Old_Bedfordian]

This could be frightening, or it may be I am an old man with swollen arteries. Over night, though, the pain crossed the front of my head and affected the whole. It seemed to spread. Aspirin made no difference. Just feel nauseous now, and a medium pain in the head areas. Had a problem walking (not that unusual, eh) and toppled a couple of times so I used me walker.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Please do go to A&E and get someone to look at your arteries and consider the symptoms. Aside from any other aspect - the worry isn't helping you.

[Old_Bedfordian in reply to PMRpro]

You are quite correct, of course. As I told the others, I will.

You are all so kind. Why cannot we have GP's with the same attitude as you all have....

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

It looks quite beaded, Dave - another sign of GCA. Can you feel a pulse? If so, is it strong or weak? Feeling "nauseous" was among my symptoms which worsened to actual vomiting. Have you called that ambulance yet?

[Old_Bedfordian in reply to Celtic]

Yes, I could see that when I showed the GP the picture I took of both sides, one look at the arteries, and she touched them for the first time ever. Yes, actually inspected my temples!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then there seemed little doubt in her mind. But no pred, just these words:

''we must get you back to the clinic''....

Has anyone got a first class stamp? I am fed up of going back and forth second class.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Old_Bedfordian]

NO - "we must get you to A&E with a letter in your hand".

Query GCA is a medical emergency, like stroke or heart attack. Would she have said that if you had had any signs of either of those? I hope not - but then, we don't know do we?

[SandraMarric]

What was the outcome of all this, Dave? Did you manage to get to A & E? We are worried about you! Sandra

[Old_Bedfordian in reply to SandraMarric]

Hallo, Sandra, been very poorly with a virus, getting better now. I have lost it with the NHS, still ok in myself, and posted a general note to give you all update. Thanks for your thoughts. Dave

[SandraMarric in reply to Old_Bedfordian]

Many thanks for letting us know Dave. These forums are strange because one gets involved with the posts and then, sometimes, never hear about the outcome. So it was good to see that you are getting better. Long may it continue.

[cassey1879]

Please do get checked out right away. Same thing happened to me. Also my eye lids started to swell a bit and mouth would get very tired after only a few bites (called jaw claudication) I would watch each day as the arteries would get larger and longer. Then they did biopsy for GCA and came back positive. Do get checked asap so you can be on prednisone to prevent blindness or stroke if that is what it is. I had the bad headaches too!

[Old_Bedfordian in reply to cassey1879]

Just written a post to give you all update. Still doing well, and dealing with the pain ok. Dave B