Update to Q of what GCA headaches are like - bad reaction to covid vaccine

[HealthCW]

So after many, many ER visits and Drs my possible GCA is TMJ/TMD and inflammatory back pain. I tested negative for the HLA-B27 gene. I just saw a post on a covid long hauler site that is saying they had this inflammatory response to the covid vax and luckily for them their doctor agreed bc he has seen this response in some people.

All my symptoms started within days of the vaccine so I am convinced it is from that. Of course the doctors don’t think so. Not sure why they can’t see that some people have an unfortunate response to things. This response is rare but it does happen. So I’m still dealing with temple pressure, but no more head pains and some back pain but it’s slowly getting better. I just hope it will definitely go away — I’m on Meloxicam and doing physical therapy. I don’t know what I will do when it comes time for a covid booster shot bc it apparently has happened with all the vaccines and probably has to do with the spike protein. It’s all been very frustrating not to mention expensive.

This site has really opened my eyes to all the health issues people are dealing with.

So much information here - thank you all for your help!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

However you look at it - I think you have to ask yourself whether if you got that sort of reaction with the vaccine - what would Covid itself do? Some vaccines cause worse reactions with the first jab, others with the second.

[HealthCW in reply to PMRpro]

I have thought of that so I’m happy at least I got the vaccine. We’ll see with the booster.

[HealthCW]

What’s the difference between reactive arthritis and inflammatory arthritis. I did see a Rheumatologist and she just tested me for that gene. and gave me the NSAID. I do have some osteoarthritis. it’s all very vague and confusing. Never had any of this before.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to HealthCW]

Reactive arthritis develops in response to (usually) a bacterial infection. Inflammatory arthritis covers a wide range of types of inflammatory autoimmune arthritis. Reactive arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis that usually resolves when the underlying cause is sorted out as opposed to the forms due to an a/i disorder.

[Susan1705]

Hi, something similar for me. Had Pfizer 2nd dose 4 weeks ago and fatigue headaches and very occasional blurry vision followed. was worse on Friday and I am now in hospital on intravenous pred and due to have a biopsy today. I am sure it is just a reaction to the Pfizer, though after a visit to west London eye hospital on Sat I am happy to be here. He made it clear that to ignore it would be far worse and eye sight loss permanent.