Tingling scalp

[Pangolin43]

Hello everyone. I’m now in my 4th year of Polymyalgia. I’m reducing down from 1mg of pred to zero. 4 days ago the top of my scalp started to tingle. It doesn’t last but I feel has got more intense in the evening. I became worried about GCA and I called 111 who advised me to wait for a call back from my GP. I didn’t wait and went to A&E.as it was 7:30am. I was treated very well, had blood tests and a head CT scan. Nothing was found. I went through the discharge notes with my GP the next day who has referred me to see a neurologist. The GP said that my CRP was 2. No other concerns with blood results and reassured me that if I had GCA it would have shown up on the CT scan. I’m also having a cortisol test tomorrow at 8am. If the results are ok my GP has said to continue with the taper to zero inline with advice from my recent rheumatology appointment.

last night I took my blood pressure while the tingling sensation was going on. My blood pressure was high and continued to be highuntil the episode abated. This is not something I have ever suffered from. Any thoughts anyone?

thank you

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

You need to contact GP and discuss your BP… looks as if you are in surgery this morning…so please mention it..

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I fear your GP is wrong about GCA showing on CT - it will show on PET-CT but that is a very different scan. If plain CT could show GCA, we wouldn't have half the problems with diagnosis that we do. It will have been done at the ED to rule out other things, like stroke.

"Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are not useful in diagnosing GCA; however, they may be used to diagnose complications due to GCA, such as stroke."

emedicine.medscape.com/arti....

How high was your BP? That is actually a potential cause of scalp tingling so definitely worth following up.

[Pangolin43 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your response. My BP was 152 / 95. It has never been that high. I’ve had my blood tests done at the hospital so will contact my go again. Is high blood pressure associated with GCA?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pangolin43]

It can be - the GCA can narrow the arteries and that results in raised BP. But it can happen anyway. That is a bit high - check your BP at intervals through the day so you don't get worked up about doing it and keep a record. The GP will probably just average it but you need to see how it related to the scalp tingling.

[Pangolin43 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you…

I’ve spoken to my GP. I’m going to send BP readings in twice a day. ESR blood test done so GP wants to wait for result and if I get worse go to A&E.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pangolin43]

Good! Let us know what transpires ...

[Pangolin43 in reply to PMRpro]

My ESR was 8 and CRP 2. I’ve spoken to 2 GP’s both say that they don’t think that it is GCA. Advised to take pain relief and see if there are any changes to my vision. My blood pressure has now come down . I’m sending in readings to go twice a day.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pangolin43]

Hope they are right!!!

[Pangolin43 in reply to PMRpro]

Hello. I had a Doppler ultrasound on my head last Thursday which the radiologist said showed no sign of GCA. I get the results by telephone with my rheumatologist this coming Thursday. I still have the prickling/tingling on my scalp but it’s not as bad. Some days it doesn’t appear at all and others it does. I also have a weird sensation in my nose too! My blood pressure has come down to normal readings and my bloods are ‘unremarkable’ with CRP and ESR in normal range. I’m currently taking 5mg of steroid (last 7 days) after being down to 1mg every other day. Shall I reduce again. Maybe to 2mg?

What are your thoughts please? Do you think it could be some kind of neuralgia or be anxiety induced

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pangolin43]

Could be either - especially if you have anxiety anyway. Going back to 2mg seems fair. Did the 5mg make any difference? If not, why not go back to 1mg?

[Pangolin43 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for responding. I don’t believe the 5mg made a difference. It was a precautionary measure in case of GCA.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pangolin43]

Then go back to the dose you were happy at.

[Pangolin43]

it’s strange that my nose feels affected . I’ve never had this.

[Pangolin43]

I did wonder whether to stay at 5mg until I’ve spoken to rheumatologist but it seems daft if it’s not GCA. Maybe I’ll just drop back to 2mg and see what happens.