Re Scalp tenderness

[Salanddee]

Hello

I have had PMR for 6 years, 83 years old. Thanks to the advice given on this forum I have at last learned that it is essential to pace oneself even when feeling very well.

During the past year I have had bouts of scalp tenderness on the top of my head, a linear strip from the crown to the forehead experienced on the right and left of center at different times. My rheumatologist says that this is an atypical symptom. A week ago on the return of this my GP raised the dose of Prednisolone and sent me for immediate blood tests. The CRP and ESR were 1and 2. I am wondering if this is stress related and would be grateful for your thoughts.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

Do you feel you have been under stress recently to cause your increased pain?

Your blood markers very often lag behind any symptoms, so personally I would want a second reading to see if they have have altered before I jumped to any conclusion.

You don’t say what dose of Pred you are on.

Presumably the Rheumy hasn’t indicated what he thinks it might be, if not PMR.

[Salanddee in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you. I am thinking that I must have been stressed on three occasions last year when my scalp became tender. I was away from home visiting one sick and one very old relative. I have made a plan to rectify this I hope. The very recent episode followed an appointment with my rheumatologist. He was great but I was very alarmed about the long drive to the hospital in icy conditions. The roads were fine!

I am on 4/3mgs Prednisolone. This was increased to 10mgs

My Rheumy didn't think it was GCA but added that he could be wrong.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Salanddee]

Hi again

No matter how much we try and avoid stress - we can’t - it’s part of life.

So I would say, the instances you describe made your PMR flare each time - quite understandably.

As PMRPRO says “atypical” is a meaningless comment really - many people with PMR do get “head” problems - doesn’t mean it’s automatically going to turn into GCA - but best to get on top of it ASAP.

Just keep it monitored and stay at 10mg so long as you need to, hopefully it will resolve the problem.

Please keep us in the loop.

[Salanddee in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you very much.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

"It's an atypical symptom..." - meaning what? That it might be but isn't usual or it isn't a symptom he will consider as part of PMR...

[Salanddee in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you.

Meaning that it isn't common. I have known him for along time now . He didn't write it off. He wanted to make sure that it wasn't GCA and made arrangements for me to be seen on the day if necessary at my GPs surgery. This has been confirmed.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Salanddee]

Good...

[Salanddee in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks