Update on unexplained headaches

[Paul76]

Further to my question and all the invaluable advice from you I saw a Spanish doctor yesterday afternoon. Felt it was a bit of a waste of time because I knew he wasn’t sure, or interested, about polymyalgia. However he examined me and found that my right eye was not reacting to light in the same way as my left eye and, in view of the headaches and sometime jaw pain decided to send me to hospital immediately. He said I should see a neurologist. Unfortunately at the hospital there was a slight language problem in that the staff did not speak much English and my Spanish leaves a lot to be desired. This was surprising because it’s in an extremely touristy area. However, I was trying to explain my concerns about PMR and GCA without sounding as though I knew more than the doc (we’ve all been there). I also explained that my GP always says to get unexplained headaches investigated without delay. Upshot was that my blood pressure was very high (not unsurprising) which is unusual so they took blood tests, gave me a pill for the blood pressure and was put on a pain killing drip even although the pain was minimal at that time. All the paperwork is obviously in Spanish but the little I have managed to translate so far says that I should see a neurologist to check the temporal artery so maybe something was understood. Feeling fine today and will make appointment to see my GP on my return in 2 weeks. If anything further happens I will go and see another local doctor and ask for more pred and increase my dose up to 20mgs until I get home. Forgot to say that blood tests all look in the normal range. Thank you all for the reassurance to see a doctor immediately as I was not really sure because the headaches are not there all the time.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Glad you got to see a doctor, and well done him for referring you to hospital - but do monitor things, and obviously act if required… and do please follow things up as soon as you get back to UK. .. and keep us informed…

[Paul76 in reply to DorsetLady]

Will do and thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I do wonder why a neurologist to look at an artery - but that may be their system ...

[Paul76 in reply to PMRpro]

I did wonder about that too. Thanks for your help. Will continue to monitor closely.