Thank you to everybody on this forum for your kind messages while I was in hospital this week with blinding headaches.
It seems they were Tension headaches, not migraines or temporal arteritis or a bleed on the brain or anything sinister. And while hugely relieved I am also devastated to find that the stresses I have been dealing with could make me feel so unwell that I ended up in hospital.
The rheumatologist showed up at my bedside while I was in the middle of a lumbar puncture procedure and was a PMR sceptic. Most cases are misdiagnosed, he stated, and my own pains were more likely steroid withdrawal revealing pre existing osteoarthritis. He did however advise a slow taper and biphosphonates.
I never got to see a neurologist after all and the results of the lumbar puncture were clear so the Investigations suggested Tension headaches which of course do not respond to migraine medication. Evidently Iboprufen helps, although I thought it wasn’t effective with PMR sufferers. And I have Propranalol which should help reduce the stress before it builds up.
I’m back home trying to get back on a track with less stress, which mostly involves not being involved with decisions about the future care of my ancient mother since her last fall.
I’ve written a letter to thank the wonderful hospital staff and one to the GP surgery asking if there is any chance of a more engaged relationship with one of their doctors. And I do feel much better for doing that.
Written by
Zebedee44
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Great news that it's nothing sinister, but shocking what stress can do to a body!
It seems that this 'had to happen' to help you start to plan how better to look after yourself and leave others to worry about your mother. ⛅
I assume you won't be seeing that Rheumatologist again?! Have you had a diagnosis by DEXA scan of osteoporosis, requiring bisphosphonates.....?
The thing about Ibuprofen is that we shouldn't take NSAIDs while taking pred because of their effect on our stomach. Also, they are said not to relieve the pain of PMR.
I hope your GPs take note of what has happened this week and offer you more support.
Wishing you all the best as spring approaches. 🌼 I expect your beloved pony has missed you these last few days. 🐎
Thank you Sue. I have certainly missed my pony although that is another stressful situation because I am
being bullied by another owner. Next on my list to resolve. The anger in side me is not helpful and sadly I have been in this position before, hence the PTSD. Why are some people so cruel?
Ibuprofen isn't particularly effective for PMR pain - it works for other things but isn;t ideal to take at the same time as pred.
If he is so convinced most PMR is misdiagnosed - maybe he'd like to engage with education of GPs to teach them to diagnose better. And provide a rapid access PMR clinic?
Further update, feeling absolutely gobsmacked from going to pick up the prescription the doctor was putting up last Friday for collection on Saturday. For my anxiety and PTSD, most probably the cause of the blinding tension headache.
I am beside myself with frustration, furious to find that the doctor had not even written up the prescription!
I had already handed in my letter of complaint to the practice manager but you won’t be surprised to hear that if and when she calls me to discuss it I will be giving her both barrels! And probably a formal complaint!
But they are there, working hard, just call them if you have worrying symptoms ...
Yeah, right!
I, OTOH, can ring my GP and speak directly to her, no gatekeeper. I order my prescription needs and before we hang up she has already emailed it to the village pharmacy where I can pick it up immediately if I want to.
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