Tender spot same place near top of head 4 days.

[lennysmummy]

Hi me again. I have had a tenderness in one place near top of the head left side. I’m taking 20mg that my rheumatologist advised 2 weeks ago. Had my eyes all checked on Monday by ophthalmologist at the Hosp appt booked, not a major concern, I see him again end of march. Only slight raised pressure @ 23 so no medication at this time. I just don’t know if this really means with slight tenderness to go higher or see if it settles. No major headache, I just notice it when I touch that area. Any advice? ❤️

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Only slight raised pressure @ 23 so no medication at this time

Not sure what you mean, glaucoma levels? Or something else?

I think you need to monitor the tenderness- and obviously if it gets worse over weekend then call NHS111 - and probably best contact GP and/or Rheumy Dept on Monday anyway

[lennysmummy in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes apparently it should be 21 so he wasn’t concerned by 23. Only slight cataract start. Back of the eyes were fine. But if Blepharitis but again just hot flannels to be used.

[lennysmummy in reply to DorsetLady]

That should have read a bit of Blepharitis

[Zappata]

I have GCA for 3 years now and still get pains in and on my head. Sometimes it is just from how I've been sleeping and I try not to imagine the worst because obviously with GCA every head twinge sets off alarm bells. Not that I'm suggesting you should ignore it. Only you know what feels right for you. One thing I have noticed is that when I am getting a flare the top of my head gets hot. I don't know what is normal any more that is the trouble! A while ago I had a painful spot which was raised and sore and I was panicking but then remembered I'd banged my head in the garden doh!

[lennysmummy in reply to Zappata]

🙏 I will keep an eye on it. ❤️

[Viveka]

I think sore spots are par for the course and they usually have preferred location/locations. Mine were very regular and mostly top of head. They came and went, usually a day or a couple of days, then gone and then back. Does it hurt without you touching it? Unless you get red light symptoms it may be ok to try and forget about it for a few days then see if it is still there. If you have a sympathetic rheumy/helpline you could ask them about it. I found rheumy and helpline were both helpful in advising me on what were minor breakout symptoms that could be ignored.

[lennysmummy in reply to Viveka]

No I don’t really notice them until I touch that exact spot…. No pain beforehand just a feeling that if I touch it there will be tenderness. I think every discomfort/twinge can become an obsession… probably looking for them. 🙏

[Viveka]

Exactly like that for me. I was told to ignore that type of symptom (intermittent sore spots, tingles etc) unless of course it got worse or other things developed. I spent months checking my scalp. It can be an obsession. It was lovely to start to wash and comb my hair without being on alert again. As I said, it would probably be worth checking out what your rheumy thinks when you get a chance. This is exactly the sort of thing they don't tell us about when diagnosed so we think every twinge is a flare. The other thing I always suggest is keep a symptom diary to see if any patterns emerge.