Nasty Headache for nearly a month

[Heinrich7]

Been doing fairly well on 5mg Pred. A bit of shoulder pain but nothing to warrant increasing dose. Since August 9 have pressure headache constantly and bone tenderness on right back of head. I don’t suspect GCA. I am wondering what is best to take for headache. I so appreciate this site and feel I’d be lost without it.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Why are you discounting GCA?

If you try paracetamol ( or equivalent in Canada - Tylenol, Panadol?) that may help. If it does you'll know it's not GCA, if it doesn't then you may need to take further advice

[Heinrich7 in reply to DorsetLady]

Maybe I shouldn’t discount GCA. Just took 2 extra strength Tylenol for the radiating pressure throughout head to neck. Really stiff and sore. Free this week so may go and see GP who is very aware of GCA since I have PMR.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Heinrich7]

Good idea. Let’s hope it not - but you need to know what it is!

[YuliK in reply to DorsetLady]

Totally agree with you DL. GCA shouldn't be eliminated that easy.

Heinrich , better get yourself checked by your rheumatologist...better safe than sorry.

YuliK 🌹

[SnazzyD]

Hello, oh dear, what next eh? A month of headache is long enough to warrant getting it looked at to be honest, rather than popping pills. A number of things need to be ruled out. On what little you’ve said I also wouldn’t rule out GCA entirely; my first symptoms were tender back of head on the right side with a niggling neck pain going into the shoulder like muscular and morning headaches. Do any particular pain killers help? Have you seen anyone like a physio/osteopath? How did it start and is it there all the time?

[Heinrich7 in reply to SnazzyD]

Started like heaviness on head. Going down to back neck. Feel the weight constantly. Have had a cold so was taking Tylenol cold and sinus. Just took 2 extra strength Tylenol to see if that will help.

Appointment with RA on 23rd.

My new GP told me with PMR if I have severe headache to go straight to ER because of risk of blindness.

May try and get in to see her for further advice. Pressure at base of head seems really tight.

Had lots of physio before PMR for neck shoulder head that didn’t help. Was then started in 12.5 of Pred which did the trick a year ago.

I do have Osteoarthritis in hands and feet but no pain.

[SnazzyD in reply to Heinrich7]

Hmm, I’d get help sooner rather than later, it doesn’t sound right and suspiciously like it might be a GCA headache. Good luck with the Tylenol but don’t sit on this for too long, it’s not worth your sight.

[Heinrich7 in reply to SnazzyD]

Went to ER that strictly deals with eyes on advice of GP. Eyes were fine and was told to take Ibuprofen 2 of 400mg every 4-6 hours. 8 pills later I awake and have same heavy pressure on my scalp. He also said to not miss my RA appt on 23rd which I surely will not do as I’ve been waiting to see her since June. She had told me to taper off Prednisone in last visit in May and said blood tests were normal. However that didn’t work and I am back up to 5mg and trying to stay there. Shoulders and upper back stiff this am.

Am trying to get in to see GP today to update her. Maybe she can get started on some bloodwork.

Thx SnazzyD for your reply.

[SnazzyD in reply to Heinrich7]

Well that really is great news on the eyes. However, they can’t tell you whether you have GCA in the other cranial arteries or not and are they experts in GCA? I’m also surprised they told you to max out on Ibuprofen which isn’t advised with Pred. Do watch your stomach.

Have I ever bored you with the sternocleidomastoid muscle problem? If not, take a look at this because it can mimic GCA in many ways and it does no harm to look at it while waiting for the other appointment.

healthline.com/health/stern...

Did you ever have raised markers? Some people never do.

[Heinrich7 in reply to SnazzyD]

Interesting link on sternocleidomastoid muscle. That could be what it is. I’ll also refer a friend to this site as she has neck tightness.

Have appt this aft to see GP and am getting in earlier to see RA - this week.

RA told me same thing in the past to take ibuprofen. Hm. Will question her on this.

Last year when diagnosed with PMR had higher inflammation level. I think 57. If that’s what you mean by raised marker.

[Rose54]

Hi

As others say seek medical advice

But have you tried a hot wheat bag on your neck . I have problems with my neck now and again gives me a tension headache which does respond slightly to Paracetamol but heat works as well .

[Heinrich7 in reply to Rose54]

Went to ER where they deal specifically with eyes (my GP told me to there immediately if I got bad headache) yesterday and they checked my eyes. Was told to take 2 of 400 ibuprofen every 4-6 hours alternating with Tylenol. And to make sure I kept appointment with RA on 23rd.

So far I’ve popped 8 pain pills and this morning head exactly the same.

I will try hot flax bag when I get home from city. Thank you!

[Rose54 in reply to Heinrich7]

That's good new but dont take any chances

I am suffering a bit today myself and have in the past but all related to neck and sinus issues

[misspops]

Hi,

I had shingles this year, and it was on one side of my neck and head, constant headache for nearly five weeks.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

WHY don't you suspect GCA? Contrary to your doctors' opinions only about half of patients present with a severe headache, eyes are also not always involved early, the signs depend on longer term reduced blood flow to the optic nerve. Sudden blindness can happen with no previous indications at all because of sudden total blockage of the blood flow to the optic nerve. It is basically the same difference as between angina and a heart attack.

OTOH, stubborn occipital headache (at the back of the head) is absolutely typical of GCA, it likes to visit the occipital area, but I have heard of several patients who were told this was "the wrong sort of headache".

There are several reasons for headache that normal painkillers don't stop - all need investigation.