is it GCA?

[Bonsaigirl]

Been off the forum for a while lots of ups and downs, mobility severely limited due to PMR in legs. Over the last week I have had a flu like illness with additional chest infection. Taking amoxicillin as well as preds. Not feeling great. Over the last three days seem to have developed minor headaches not strong at all . No other symptoms. Because of my paranoia of GCA wondering whether it could be that or just part of the flue. When should I get it checked out (assuming I can get to speak to a GP)?

Thanks

[piglette]

My optician said with GCA I would expect a headache like I had never known, not just a mild headache.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to piglette]

Quite ...as I (and many others) can confirm,...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

If it were GCA, it wouldn't be a mild headache....and you would probably have other symptoms as well..

[Ridge]

My experience of GCA was a linear shooting pain which was severe. Up behind the right eye to the side of the temple. It came and went. Totally different to a normal headache.

[ubaoz]

Sounds like there could be quite a few possibilities for the cause of your headaches other than GCA – perhaps the flu/infection, side effects of the antibiotics, dehydration, tension/stress etc? Do regular painkillers such as paracetamol help? If so, from what I've learned on this forum, it's unlikely to be GCA.

My GCA headache was the worst I've ever had in my life, even worse than migraine, and I had other symptoms too. It definitely wasn't a mild headache.

I sympathise with the fear of GCA though and I gather quite a lot of people with PMR are fearful of it, so you're not alone there. But with knowledge (such as from this excellent forum), the right diagnosis and treatment/management, whilst it's still serious, it's not quite so scary.

Hope your headaches ease off and you feel better soon.