GCA//Actemra: Is scalp pain a sign of a flare with... - PMRGCAuk

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GCA//Actemra

LRevell profile image
9 Replies

Is scalp pain a sign of a flare with GCA?

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LRevell profile image
LRevell
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9 Replies
DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

It might be - is it the same as you had before your original diagnosis?

Although have replied to other post -have copied here -

you’ll have to wait for Europe to wake up to get more replies -I’m in NZ at present .

Are you saying pain has now returned?

When did you take the increased dose of 50mg?

Any other symptoms? Not much on profile to help us,

LRevell profile image
LRevell in reply toDorsetLady

Since taking the 50 mg Prednisone the scalp tenderness is gone. I have my Dr appointment next week.

Angelsmummy profile image
Angelsmummy

Morning R,I wouldn’t even take on the task of giving you advice on this.Al I can say is that I have had a TINGLY,itchy scalp for weeks now.Am on ( nearly!) 4 1/2 mg.Slightly achey shoulders that wear off eventually upon rising.CRP 4 ESR 9,Rheumy isn’t concerned.As you know L I have GCA as well.Perhapsnerves get damaged in the beginning of our disease eh and affect blood flow?But obviously ,listen to the WISE ONES for advice! Xxx💐😜

SnazzyD profile image
SnazzyD

I’m not sure anyone can say for you exactly, especially with no other information to go on regards your symptoms and your journey. All I can say is that I have had scalp pain myself a number of times for these reasons: GCA, hair about to shed at more than normal rate, shingles, around biopsy site during Pred reduction withdrawal and tense sternokleidomastoid muscles in the neck. The last one can mimic other GCA symptoms.

Noni71 profile image
Noni71

Hi. I had a rheumatology appointment on 18th December as an ongoing follow up to GCA which I’ve had for two and a half years. I’m on five and a half mgs of Prednisolone and Leflunomide. The only symptom of GCA that I have left is the feeling that my scalp is bruised. I asked the rheumatologist about this. He told me that it was not necessarily a sign of GCA at this stage and it could be many other things. I haven’t had the time yet to research ‘the other things’. I think it may depend on the stage of your journey. I had a painful scalp when diagnosed with GCA.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply toNoni71

Not sure Rheumy is strictly correct - he obviously didn’t elaborate… do you mean scalp is tender? Not really sure what you mean by bruised, and I know it’s difficult to explain sometimes.. but a bruise can be tender if you touch it…

LRevell profile image
LRevell in reply toDorsetLady

It’s like when you have a pony tale and it’s too tight you take off the rubber band and the scalp is sore/tender . It’s a common symptom when you get GCA

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply toLRevell

If you know my history, you’ll see I know all about tender scalp and GCA - had it for many months before diagnosis, but it’s not usually described as bruised..😊. And the fact that Pred helped, makes me even more dubious about Rheumy’s comments…

Noni71 profile image
Noni71 in reply toDorsetLady

Perhaps bruised was not the most accurate of adjectives to use but it feels tender and sore, more than itchy and uncomfortable. It’s in different places on my scalp and really feels as if your hair has been pulled!

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