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
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Pangolin43
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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."
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?
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.
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.
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Newbie with suspected GCA
Visit to Rheumatologist 
Stress - sometimes you can't avoid it.
should I ask for DXA scan?
Scalp tenderness and tingling but low ESR
