Is earache part of GCA

[Jassarwal]

I have had PMR &GCA for 5 years, starting on 60mg of pred reducing to a fortnight ago to 4mg with up and down in those 5 years. I have developed a very slight sore spot on the crown of my head but with an accassional pain in my ear on the same side. Spoke to receptionist at surgery who told me to visit a pharmacy who gave me eardrops to no avail. I increased my steroids to 8mg but still have the symptoms all though very mild my concerns are that in 2 weeks I will be flying . Is ear problems usually part of GCA, I have never had this symptom before. Thanks in advance for replies.

[123-go]

Hello, Jassarwal.Yes, ear problems can well be part of GCA and should be investigated by a professional.

The GP receptionist is not qualified to tell you what to do about your problem. I cannot stress this enough.I would ring the surgery again and insist on at least speaking to your GP. I would definitely mention the 'advice' given by the receptionist and ask if she had been given permission to give this type of advice to patients. Frankly, this is a dangerous practice and could result in serious consequences for some patients.

[SnazzyD]

Right, so let’s unpick this.First you need to get the basics sorted which means getting someone to look in your ear. I’m assuming that the person on the phone is all you got so they have no idea if your pain is due to middle ear congestion (often blocked Eustachian tube) or inflammation. Or it could be the canal which may be blocked with wax (drops for inflammation won’t work) or inflammation (oil drops won’t work) or both. Can you get to a Boots or Specsavers or other private ear care provider to get someone to eyeball your ears? I suggest this because you are worrying about travelling.

Next is to check tension sternokleidomastoid muscle tension. It’s very common in this day an age with our modern day posture. It can cause similar symptoms to GCA right from ear pain, scalp pain, eye pain and jaw pain. It’s always worth knowing about how to avoid it.

healthline.com/health/stern...

kenhub.com/en/library/anato...

Yes, ear pain can come with GCA but there’s no magic way of finding out even if you find a sympathetic doctor who knows about the 8th cranial nerve involvement. This is why sorting out the basics is so important because it is a process of elimination. If you had raised inflammatory markers at the beginning, a blood test might help but sometimes symptoms can come before an appreciable rise. Do you have any other symptoms?

[SnazzyD in reply to SnazzyD]

What I haven’t said that the others have is you need to speak to someone pretty promptly. I don’t mean waiting a few weeks to get your ears looked at and a month of exercises to sort out your neck! You do these things concurrently.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

To add to Snazzy's superb reply - she mentions the role of the 8th cranial nerve and ears in GCA:

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk....

And I don't consider sending a GCA patient with ear and scalp pain to the pharmacy is appropriate until the ear has been examined BY A QUALIFIED PERSON and the ear pain properly diagnosed. Ear drops are no use at all for inner ear problems. Was it at least the pharmacist you spoke to? Not the counter staff ...

[Sharitone]

I'm shocked that this receptionist took it upon herself to give you that advice. Apart from all the advice you've been given by the others, perhaps in the future you should resist telling her what the issue is, or keep it very vague. It's not obligatory to share with the receptionist, however pushy they are.

[piglette]

Have our doctors decided to delegate their job to the receptionist nowadays?