Is scalp pain a sign of a flare with GCA?
GCA//Actemra: Is scalp pain a sign of a flare with... - PMRGCAuk
GCA//Actemra
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,
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💐😜
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.
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.
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…
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