Lupus headache or something else?
 

Hi to everyone. I have a longstanding history of Lupus/UCTD. It has always been fairly benign in nature but I'm very aware of how unpredictable these CTD's can be. I have had a niggling flare since January which I had thought was finally settled however, I have been getting a daily headache for several weeks now starting on the left side of my forehead, trekking across to the right before it leaves only to return the next day. It's quite an intense headache without being migraine-like. I have also been having episodes of heaviness and blurriness in my left eye since 2013 which seem to coincide with my flares. The eye problem during this flare has preceded the headaches by a few weeks but now they both seem related. I am not at all prone to headaches so this is unusual for me. I can't work out if I should be concerned if this is a Lupus head or if it is visual because of the tired eyelid and vision or could it be sinus pain (no cold symptoms) etc etc. not sure whether to sit in it out for a bit longer or speak to my GP who will probably flag it up to my Rheumy straight away just in case but I don't want a drama.

I have no MG or neurological signs to explain the eye problem. Likely proximal myopathy caused by the Lupus with Resp weakness and joint swellings are my usual symptoms. Hopefully someone can advise me on the most sensible, least dramatic approach to take. Many thanks, Clare

Vasculitis can cause similar symptoms, including the eye.
One specific type in the head called temporal arteritis. This is an inflammatory condition. You should ask your doctor about that
possibility.

Thank you Mrs D
 

Mrs D, thank you for your reply. As it happened, my GP called me today with my blood test results and she agrees that I need to be scanned and/or seen by Opthalmology. I have been reducing my prednisolone which could be the cause. I shall stay on my present dose from now until told differently. Many thanks Clare