Persistent headache inflamed artery

[jatiro]

Please help!! I have been suffering from a persistent headache now for 2 months and cant shift it, I have seen various GPs and a neuro and they believe it is a vascular problem. This is after the GPs have tried me on a variety of meds and given me dx from tension headache to cluster headache to spinal problem. I have had two CT scans that came back clear. The headache has usually always been located in my temple region on the left hand side of my head and is so intensity on days it reduces me to tears. The artery infront of my left ear (suoperfdacial temporal artery) is also inflammed and can be clearly felt throbbing and is raised. I am 22. After seen the neuro i am now taking indomethacin and sodium valproate. Has anyone had success on these. I have also had a 3 week period were i took nothing as was concerned it may have been a rebound headache as first month involved alot of pain killer meds on prescription.

Has anyone else had a very one sided throbbing headache with pain behind the eye and is the inflammed artery anything to worry about. The meds i am on are having no affect and am not seeing the neuro for another 2 months ( good old NHS)?

Other symptom include
Weight loss, Fever (on and off from 35.6 to 38.4 C)

Should i be pushing for an MRA to discover why this artery is raised and why this headache which is a 8/10  24/7 will not go away

Any help and advice will be gratly recieved?

[SeeJay]

I am suffering from similar pain - left side temple area.   I am wondering if you have anymore news?   I have had MRI on brain - negative and awaiting blood results for Temporal Arteritis.  I basically live on excedrin every few hours - and this doesn't take it away - but does lessen the intensity.  Please let me know how things are going for you. Thanks!

[rachel318]

Hi,
I've been having headaches regularly for the past 6 years or so--I'm only 18. After intense excercise I sometimes have headaches for a few hours, which are sort of like a general pounding all over my head. The headaches I usually get are on the left side of my head, extremely localized and in the back of my head. Sometimes my head feels pretty heavy, and I've been sort of fatigued for the past couple of months, but I've also been under a lot of stress. The headaches seem to intensify in times of stress, and my health is good. Family history of high BP, but mine is a steady 120/80. I haven't had any doctor's appts or treatment, I usually pop a few Motrin but it doesn't help.

[jatiro]

sorry for delay in replying. Am now in 20 of my temple pain and the artery infront of my ear is inflammed still. Have had an MRI now of the head and that was clear so a bit of good news. Am still being trated as a migraine  although still havent had any sensitive to light or noise and no neasua or vomitting, so thats a bit frastrating and the neuro is set in his way now and does seem to be doing alot. Have now come off the sodium Valproate and was tried on imigran injections that have had no affect. This continous head pain is starting to ruin my life. Hoping the new year will bring some good fortune!!

LAST MESSAGE: Have you had anymore news on your condition (which sound similar). Do you have a continous heqadache and does your pain vary in intensity? Were is the artery mine is infront of my ear? how did the headache/artery start?

Thanks for all the replies and any suggestions or  advice would still be gratefully recieved.

[JudeD]

Oh My!! So relieving to read of others with same pain as me. I am in week 9 now of left temporal pain. My GP sent me to the eye dept as although I am 41 she was worried about temporal arteritis. They ruled it out though. My ESR is erratic. It was 78, then 12, then 57. My RF = 365 but I don't know about my ANA. I too have the sound of my pulse in my ear and its all starting to drive me nuts. The doctors don't know what it is. I have been put on different pain and anti inflammitory tabs, but when I was in hospital last week they gave me 1 lot of steroids and I actually had relief for 2 - 3 days. I am seeing my GP tomorrow, what questions should I be asking her?

[bassadict69]

After going on BP medicene because it was high, the BP is down & my headaches have disappeared. BUT, I am still having the rest of the symptoms, sore temple, tender scalp, stiff & sore neck, & now I can hear my pulse in my ear several times a day.

Insurance denied the CT scan so my doc is sending me to a neurologist.

[jatiro]

hey wave guess what. Before i got my headache i was drinking alot of energy drinks too as was working alot and need the kick start in the mornings. I live in the uk and found that doctor was just giving me pain killers which didnt help at all.

It is now week 13 and the headache has decresed in intensity to about 5/10 but this week i have been getting alot of back pain between my shoulders. Still seem to get flare ups where the headache is 8/10 for a few hours about 5 times a week but at least its been a small improvement. Is your headache persistent? What where you doing the day it started?

I am currently on indomethacin ()an NSAID and sodium valproate) dont now if that is helping or if it is just time! My neuro thinks it is a migraine but i have none of the common signs such as neasuea or vomiting, sensitivity to light or sound so am waiting for my follow upappointment. I would see a neuro.