Hi, i am after some advice / reassurance please! I was diagnosed with PMR in June 2019 and currently on 9mg of pred. For rhe last few weeks i have had a 'blocked' ear and am due to have my ears syringed today. Over the last week or so i have had pain, not terrible just aware of it, in my head, and down the side of my neck, almost feels like the gland in my neck is tender, this includes my jaw, it's all on the right side. Last night i must have bit down hard on my jaw and felt tenderness in my left jaw as well. To be honest, until last night i thought it was sinus, it still could be but I'm obviously worried about GCA. Are the symptoms for GCA more severe than this? Is it painful rather than tender?Sorry if i haven't explained this very well but it's tricky as i don't want to exaggerate but on the other hand am worried and don't want to take myself off to A&E, especially in the current situation we are all in with the fear of coronavirus, I'm not being paranoid about myself but my elderly mum lives with me and i am terrified that I'll pass on any germs to her! I'd be really grateful for your thoughts please!
Anxious over GCA: Hi, i am after some advice... - PMRGCAuk
Anxious over GCA
Hi booboo, it's always the first thought when headache and jaw pain arise. Hopefully gca people will wake up and help you more. But I wouldn't worry about going to a and e if you have to. I went last week to my local a and e and there were no coughs and sneezes and the informtioon I know is really emphasising stay home. In my view if someone gets to the a and e under their own steam then flu is doubtful.
If you get any, and that means any visual disturbances then dial 999 and explain you hVe pmr and now have gca symptoms. Having scared you to death... I was at the walk in centre several times in the first 12 to 18mths worrying. Please yourself checked. I hope others can help..🌻
Thank you for your reply Poopadoopy, it's difficult to know whether I'm being paranoid and overreacting or whether i should be concerned, I've just taken Sudafed incase it is sinus, that's what it feels like to be honest, i don't feel ill as such! What a minefield, I'm feeling very anxious in general but mostly because I'm worried that my mum will catch coronavirus, she's elderly with an autoimmune condition as well. I'm always hygiene conscious but my handwashing has gone through the roof lately! I'm 54 so on the younger side of having PMR i think (not that that makes any difference at all!) X
It's understandable to worry re all those issues. But it won't help a sinus headache or your health. There are a few of us mid 50s at dx around, many who may have older parents to worry about so hopefully they will help.
I am pretty vigilant re handwashing normally so have gone into overdrive. Seriously I have 4 or 5 hand sanitisers including my massive one In the car that I use after taking the dog out and for shopping trolleys. I have been on pred 4 years with a dmard for 3, oh and have diabetes too.
I hope you start to feel better..... I though every headache was gca. And there is always a truckle at the back of your mind...
Where do you have an appointment with today to remove your ear wax?
Would it be possible to ask to see a Doctor there before heading to A and E?
Are you finding most of the pain and tenderness is in the sinus area or on the side that you have been suffering the most ear ache?
Thank you SnazzyD, Blearyeyed and Poopadoopy for your replies. My appt is with the nurse, they have a full day every month at the dr's surgery for ear syringing, i would have to ask for an emergency appt to see a Dr but I'll see how i feel this afternoon. I do feel better after taking sudafed for the sinus, i have a feeling that's what it is (hopefully!) The pain has been on the side where the earache is until the pain in my jaw on the other side last night, i have to say though that the pain on the other side didn't last long so hope i am just being over anxious. I think being awake in the night overthinking makes us feel more anxious at the best of times! X
It certainly does but nothi g wrong with double checking where your sight is concerned.
It's worth seeing if they can ask the Doctor to pop through or fit you in as you are there.
Otherwise make an appointment for as soon as you can with the GP if you symptoms are still around after the syringing and some time on Sinus relief you may need help no matter what it is.
If you feel uncomfortable at a surgery you can always arrive just before your appointment time to reduce time spent in the waiting room.
If it continues to get worse and you aren't getting the same relief from Sudafed do go for an emergency or out of hours appt somewhere.
You may find taking some Paracetamol half an hour before having your ears syringed will help as it can cause a bit of pain or a headache generally anyway. If you take it prior to the appointment it can be less painful and hold off the pain afterwards.
Drink well today too as ear and sinus issues make you very dehydrated and dehydration can increase you pain.
As you’re going today I’d say get you ears cleared and reassess. I’ve seen impacted wax cause these symptoms along with tinnitus and dizziness too. Sometimes people get a wax overload in response to an ear infection that isn’t seen until it is removed.
Thank you Blearyeyed and SnazzyD, good advice, i will drink lots of water and take paracetamol before and ask if a Dr is free to chat to, having said that, most of them don't seem to know much about PMR and therefore i don't anticipate them being too knowledgeable about GCA either! Fingers crossed the syringe will do the trick! Thanks again x
Out of intereest - before sending you to have your ears syringed did they actually LOOK to see of there was wax there?
The jaw pain is more usually in response to chewing, especially anything hard. But one way of checking is said to be chewing gum for 2 minutes - if you get pain that goes away when you stop it is a sign to get to the doctors asap
clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show...
myvmc.com/news/the-chewing-...
Thanks PMRPro, that's really useful, I'll do that test! And, no, they didn't look in my ears but they did feel very uncomfortable, less so since I've been putting olive oil in in preparation for the syringe, perhaps that has done the trick. Incidentally, i took sudafed a few hours ago and the 'pain' is just starting to come back as the tablets are presumably wearing off, not terrible but it does feel like sinus if I'm honest. Thanks again for your advice x
I won't write what I just said, I'd have to moderate myself! The first thing you do with someone with ear problems is get out the auriscope/otoscope. Then you have some idea if the problem is outer or inner ear.
You could try the chewing gum trick anyway - it helps drain the inner ear if the eustachian tubes are bunged up.
I know! What a waste of time that turned out to be anyway, i went to the appt and they said it doesn't need syringing now as thenolive oil obviously did the trick! It is much better than it was a couple of weeks ago so she is probably right, it doesn't explain the pain today though. Ooh that's so interesting about chewing gum draining the inner ear! I've never heard that, i will get some and definitely try it. Thank you again x
My GP in Germany taught me that - children with earache were encouraged to chew to relieve it. The end crust of a loaf of rye bread was the go-to then (and boy, does it need a good chew) but chewing gum works too.
It is said the olive oil treament is useless - but I remember the tiny olive oil bottle being warmed on the mantelshelf when I was little! I wouldn't waste my olive oil on it now - even though I buy it by the 5 litre can (which doesn't last very long ...)
They still try and sell you medical grade olive oil. My ears were constantly full of cotton wool and olive oil as a kids. I would chew a crust of rye bread any day. Good tip as my ears still a weak spot with colds etc. I had a lovely deli style rye sourdough that was lovely for first day, but I only like it toasted once frozen
Rye should keep better not frozen - or you have to freeze it while still fresh from the oven and very very gently microwave it back to life and warmth - it is a technique 
Crikey, i learn so much on this forum! Thank you! X x x
I will save this post to remind me... It has the crustiest dark crust, lovely texture and move rye on sourdough.
I'll try the bread trick until i get some chewing gum. My mum hasn't felt well this evening which has taken over any worry about me now! X
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