GCA worry

[Harrigan]

I have had PMR for 2 1/2 years all is going well, still on 5 mg but doctor said thats a small dose, so not to worry, i keep getting a funny pain i my head, not the normal brain fog, but a shooting pain, like a nerve, now when should i start worrying that this is GCA, i have no pain or discomfort when rubbing my head, or in my jaw or anwhere else really, just this shooting pain,

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Where in your head?

[Ridge]

My GCA pain was linear. It is difficult to remember exactly but I do remember describing it to the GP as molten lava pulsating in a line behind my right ear up over the temple. He diagnosed it as an ear infection and put me on antibiotics which of course did nothing! The jaw Claudication and temple tenderness was there but insignificant compared to this awful shooting pain. GP took me off antibiotics and inspite of highish CRP said it was probably a virus that would resolve eventually!! I was so lucky! Lucky not to have my sight compromised.

I am on high alert for that linear shooting pain. Sometimes I think I feel it . If it goes on at all I try a paracetamol. If that didn’t work and persisted I think I would ring the Rheumatologist if I could or the dreaded A&E. Cross fingers that I never have to.