Im 23 years old have posted on this group before Have had raised inflammation blood tests for about 2 months now. Firstly esr was 25 then 29 and most recent test came back on wednesday with esr of 28. Have only been tested for crp levels that came back wednesday as 21. Have had this not noticeable only to me as I can feel it raised line vein/temporal artery on my right side of my forehead. I have noticed it for about 3 weeks. Have seen 2 doctors and 1 nurse who all say its either a vein or its fine. It does pulsate and at the moment doesnt hurt, I have not had a headache for about 2 weeks but before that was having headaches nearly everyday for 3 months. I do get sore hands, did have sore neck but see a doctor who manipulated my neck and haven't had any trouble since really. I keep reading up about temporal arteris and even though says people over 50 im worrie I could have it. My doctor felt the temples and said if it doesn't hurt then you dont have it then said to me if you have painwhen you touch your temple go to a&e i suffer with anxiety and im fed up. They don't seem too know why my blood inflammation is raised im just so scared. I live about 15 miles from a hospital and dont drive otherwise I would go and get checked out in a&e. Thanks
Hi Chelsea Louise -
It is very hard to deal with this sort of medical unknown on top of having anxiety. I understand that - I suffer from it and have had the had my elevations for 5 months that I know of - I have to actively remind myself that my anxiety is like one of those fun house mirrors - it distorts my perception of how I am feeling and thinking. You need to make sure your anxiety is managed. That is important as everything else. Have they done other blood tests? Are you taking something for your anxiety? Does your jaw or your scalp hurt? Have you told the doctors about the neck pain?
hello thanks for reply, yes anxiety is horrid plus I have health anxiety so my brain is in overdrive. I am currently waiting on cbt for my anxiety so hopefully that starts soon. They have only done regular blood tests esr,crp, blood sugar, throyid and ones like that. Apparently the last doctor i see gave me anti biotics again & said he wants me back in 2-3weeks too have another blood test + a test for lupus & things like that apparently. My jaw aches ocassionally but not alot and nothing major, scalp doesn't hurt either. Doctors know about neck pain i saw a doctor who deals with bones and things and he touched 2 nodules on my neck (which made me cry) lol and said my problem is posture & need correct bust support as im top heavy and since then the neck pain has got better. Its just the rased inflammation results, the raised vein/artery which you cannot see I can just feel & its more raised than the left side. I get the odd knee pain in left knee have had that since I was about 13 & past 2 weeks since its got colder my handss mainly left one has gotten sore. My headache I had for 3 months has gone since getting a new bra and seeing the doctor who pushed on my neck. Also found out im pre-diabetic Thanks for replying x
There really isn't anything I can add to what we said in your previous post. The likelihood of GCA is very small and if your headaches went away after your neck was manipulated it is even less likely.
Posture and the right fitting bra for firm support will help a lot with back and neck muscle problems - which it sounds as if you have.
Hiya yes I just think im worrying too much, what with bloods still raised im just trying too guess whats wrong with me as dont feel doctors are helping. I just want answers sort of thing, x
The doctors who can see you and do tests are the ones to trust - as I'm sure you've found, surfing the internet with symptoms as vague as yours really are will just suggest you have something horrible wrong with you and make you even more anxious. I have had very similar pains to those you describe - and they were all due to back muscle problems which have eventually pretty well been sorted out. I can't wear the sort of flimsy bras most young women wear or I'd have real back problems - and even once you get the right size and cup size it still takes a while to improve. Patience!!!!
Hi Again -
Just know ANXIETY makes everything worse! Anytime you find yourself worrying or wanting to research focus on something in front of you - a photo and shoe - anything. Then talk to yourself about the item - the show is red, it is made of leather, etc. You need to redirect your brain from what is worrying you. I went through this - especially during my pregnancy. Know this - some studies have suggested comorbidity between anxiety, elevated CRP and insulin resistance. Anxiety can cause twitches and weird sensations through the body. Continue gettig checked out by the doctor but be honest and open and vert forthcoming about the anxiety you are having.
Stay strong!
Pam
Ugh - sorry for the typos - cold weather and stiff fingers = sloppy typing!
Yes your totally right. I wont be searching google no more. Haha yes your right about the flimsy bra im 23 & cannot wear them flimsy things lol id rather comfort & support over looks anyday thanks again for the reply
Thanks so much for your reply it really does help speaking to people especiallyt people who know what its like. I will be sure to try that method and I am going too look into anxiety & how it can affect the body so I can become more understanding on it. Thanks so much. x
Hi Chelsea I just want you to know that my sed rate was elevated for about a year before my CRP test was elevated. And during that time the only symptom I had was an low grade fever in the morning. No pain etc. Since I do have a bad back my doctors and I assumed it was from my back. But when the pain started there was no doubt in my mind that something was wrong. I went to the doctor and my CRP was also elevated. Of course I have age on my side because I'm in the age bracket that is assumed to be ok to get this disorder and it is assumed by many doctors that you are too young. So you are fighting the norm. BTW have you had your thyroid tested? It would not explain the vein in your temple but it could explain the aches and pains.
Thanks for your reply, Yes throyid was fine im just worried about the vein in my temple heard some horror stories about gca so is worrying but doc said doesn't seem like gca so im sure I best listen too him but cant help but worry.
Glad you checked in, Chelsea, and best wishes to you as you go through the process of finding out what it is and what to do. You may already be on this, but it occurs to me that some things which are helpful against inflammation might also be helpful with anxiety and pre-diabetis. Specifically, meditation and perhaps some dietary changes. Consider, if you haven't, eliminating gluten (wheat, barley, soy sauce) and sugar for 4-6 weeks or so to see if you notice any change in how you feel. There's more information online about anti-inflammation diets and other lifestyle habits that can help while you're working with the doctors and trying to get a handle on all this. Best wishes.
I've read other people post that they use turmeric to reduce inflamation. I have never used it, but others swear by it. You might google it.
Are you seeing a Rheumatologist?
Thank you fore the reply I will be looking into that and cutting it out ill try anything at the minlol
No doctor doesn't think I need referring he thinks its my sinuses ? strange I know lol x
Oh thanks I wil have a read of that thanks again
Hi Chelsea, so sorry you're going through all this anxiety about your health. Having recently been diagnosed with GCA, I can tell you that the headache is pretty specific and the side of your head can feel like it's been bashed with a baseball bat. When the pain is bad the vein swells in your temple but you can also feel it swollen as you feel back along your head, you also feel really off and generally ill. Since being diagnosed I've seen so many people, both young and old, who have swollen temple veins and was thinking do ask these people have GCA! But now know that actually alot of people have swollen temple veins that aren't related at anything so maybe that's the same for you . So glad other issues have been sorted for you re your neck and bra etc. Try to relax about every niggle you feel and try to distract yourself from them and hopefully you'll find that they don't alarm you as much as time goes on. Wishing you all the best in the future!
Hello thanks for your reply hope you are ok now after being diagnosed with GCA. I like you since hearing abput GCA have noticed so many people with large temporal veins that are very quite noticeable and I have noticed these in mainly young people so as you say might benormal too people and I think that is my case I have seen 3 doctors and 1 nurse who all said its okay and okay not GCA. I haven't had any headaches for around 3 weeks now so think that was to do with the neck and bra, I dont have any pain on that side where the vein is raised the headache was on the opposite side so I vewry much doubt its to do with GCA. So I am thinking I probably had this vein raised for a long time but just have not noticed it as cannot see it but as soon as I had raised bloods I was looking for everything just too explain why my bloods were raised. As you said I will try too relax and not worry so much I have been okay for the past 3 days so hopefully Im getting there. Thank you for your reply it does help me speaking to other people. Thank you & Take care xx