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What Causes Pain In Right Side Of Temporal Area?
Question: Concerned I may have temporal arteritis. I am 53 with sharp pains and throbs on my right side temporal area. I have seen a neurologist and had a CT & MRI in July and told nothing stands out. A Head RN nurse mentioned temporal arteritis and to see a Rheumtologist as it may be connected with my auto immune. He is out of town for 2 weeks. I am taking Aleve (only 2 a day). I am looking for another internist so I don't feel like I can go to him. What can I do to get the blood work started to see if this is what it is? Should I see a vascular doctor instead? At times I feel like I'm going to have a stroke.
Brief Answer:
first get ESR and CRP values
Detailed Answer:
A new headache in the temporal area in 50 year old woman should strike any neurologist for Temporal arteritis while working up.
I suggest you should immediately get ESR and CRP blood tests done with the help of a doctor or yourself possibly. If they are elevated over 100 you should get a physical examination done for palpation of the course of the temporal artery where there is focal tenderness.
Whereever there is tenderness a biopsy can be taken to confirm the diagnosis. YEs rheumatologist can also diagnose TA. Do you have fatigue, malaise and muscular pain? As Polymyalgia is closely related to Temporal arteritis hence autoimmune related. CT and MRI may not be the best investigations but ESR & CRP are better.
Vascular doctors are not prime specialists but you can see one if they are available immediately.
first get ESR and CRP values
Detailed Answer:
A new headache in the temporal area in 50 year old woman should strike any neurologist for Temporal arteritis while working up.
I suggest you should immediately get ESR and CRP blood tests done with the help of a doctor or yourself possibly. If they are elevated over 100 you should get a physical examination done for palpation of the course of the temporal artery where there is focal tenderness.
Whereever there is tenderness a biopsy can be taken to confirm the diagnosis. YEs rheumatologist can also diagnose TA. Do you have fatigue, malaise and muscular pain? As Polymyalgia is closely related to Temporal arteritis hence autoimmune related. CT and MRI may not be the best investigations but ESR & CRP are better.
Vascular doctors are not prime specialists but you can see one if they are available immediately.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
"get ESR and CRP blood tests done with the help of a doctor or yourself possibly" Should I call my neurologist to ask for these tests or go to urgent care? I do not feel like my internist will be helpful. He recommended I see a neurologist last Friday when I had seen one he recommended 2 months prior. He wanted to try antibiotics but if it is temporal arteritis that is not a good idea.
How can I do this myself? Can urgent care help?Blood was taken today when I wasn't feeling any symptoms. Will this affect the results?
How can I do this myself? Can urgent care help?Blood was taken today when I wasn't feeling any symptoms. Will this affect the results?
Brief Answer:
yes urgent care helps
Detailed Answer:
Sorry for delay.
You can ask for these tests at urgent care. It helps to identify if it is temporal arteritis. I think internist is a better option if you believe. They are well trained as well.
Blood results should not be effected by symptoms.
Let me know results.
yes urgent care helps
Detailed Answer:
Sorry for delay.
You can ask for these tests at urgent care. It helps to identify if it is temporal arteritis. I think internist is a better option if you believe. They are well trained as well.
Blood results should not be effected by symptoms.
Let me know results.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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