At my wits end, 68 year old female.
No doctor has diagnosed the tremendous arterial pressure I feel in my head. Its so bad by evening that I am sure blood will start spurting out my nose. I feel like a stroke time bomb.
There is NO pain.
Also extreme, constant bruit drives me crazy.
All tests, MRI, MRA, CAT seem fairly normal. Brain MRI does show some foci, but not increased from 5 years ago.
15 years ago a Lupus specialist treated me with massive pulse treatments for vasculitis. He is now dead, and I do not know HOW he diagnosed vasculitis.
Now, no Rheu. or Neuro. seems to have any idea whats wrong, and say tests don't indicate high blood inflammation. However, I am a walking example of inflammation such as arthritis, lupus and asthma. I believe I have vasculitis again.
I read a Mayo report that indicated some vasculitis victims do NOT show high blood inflammation on tests, since the arterial inflammation is in patches in the lining and doesn't always dissolve into the bloodstream. Does that make any sense? If so, what TEST whould confirm or deny vasculitis in me?
Incidentally, shots of prednisone last month into my heels (by Podiatrist) COMPLETELY ALEVIATED THE HEAD PROBLEM FOR A WEEK OR SO!
BP has been real high, but is now down to 120/75 by 3 medications.
Enlarged thyroid was removed 6 months ago, but had no effect on this pulsing hammer in my head.
Carotid ultrasound indicated blood circulating normally for my age, although left carotid is torturous, he felt it did not cause this pressure.