TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
I know about it. It is very rare.
My primary was afraid I had it because I told him I had a very painful spot on my right temple and terrible head pain for over a month. He touched the spot and I let out a yell. My scalp was also sensitive to touch, even moving the hair on that side of the head was painful.
He then ordered blood tests and got his assistant to get me an appointment with a neurologist immediately.
The neuro had me set up for 2 tests: MRI of brain and a temporal ultrasound. At the ultrasound, (done at a hospital) the woman doing the ultrasound told me that in every case that she has done, not one single person had temporal arteritis.
I also did not have it.
What I DID have was temporal tendonitis. I had to go to a special dentist to have it treated with injections in the back of my mouth to numb the temporal muscle that covers the side of your head and the tendon that comes down from that muscle to the jaw.
Temporal tendonitis is inflammation of the temporal muscle on the side of your head. I can easily believe that anyone with lyme can get this condition.
Doctors never think of this condition and nearly all doctors have never even heard of it.
If you have temporal arteritis, it is a very serious condition. I really, really, really doubt that you have it.
Generally, people over age 60 get it and most often women. So, I hope you can see that you do not have this condition. It is a condition of the aged. And, it is RARE.
This link tells you the blood tests that are ordered to rule out temporal arteritis. Your primary can order them.
posted
Good info, TF. I know I have trouble with my tendons in general. Ouch.
Yes, Clint .. TA is pretty rare.
If you are having pain, why not try curcumin or another anti-inflammatory?
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
I was positive I had it. old negative nelly here.
my veins would swell something awful and the headache was excruciating.
turn out I have migraines, really bad migraines. I have ocular, nocturnal, you name it. they have eased up. for awhile it was 3-4 days and nights per week. I was even loosing vision.
after multiple tests, just migraines.
so get eye exam and a referral to neurologist.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
yep tf, exactly. mostly found in older women.
you couldn't even touch my head, brushing hurt. my veins would be so swollen you could see large ridges.
but all tests negative. plus I had a lot of visual problems specifically associated with migraines.
that's when I had that goshawful neurological exam. I've never experienced pain like that. they scrubbed my head raw before they put electrodes on. my eyes watered the pain was so bad.
when I left I sat in the car and just broke down and cried.
never ever again unless I'm bleeding out.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Phoiph
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 41238
posted
My mother had it. It was associated with Polymyalgia Rheumatica.
It should be taken seriously and treated asap because it can cause vision loss.
What would you like to know about it?
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
is a neurologist the only one who can diagnose it?
I understand long time steroids is the cure. not something I'd want to do without a definite diagnosis.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Phoiph
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 41238
posted
As mentioned before, similar symptoms can be from other more likely causes, but there have been cases of TA associated with Lyme.
Any doctor can refer for testing...usually a SED rate count and confirmed by temporal artery biopsy.
True Temporal Arteritis is considered an emergency due to the risk of vision loss. My mother lost muscle movement in one eye (which very gradually returned), and some visual field loss which did not return.
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