What Causes Left-sided Headache And Tenderness On Left Temple And Ear?
 
                                    
                                    
                                          
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                                           Mon, 3 Aug 2015
                                           
                                        
                                        
                                        
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                                                Mon, 3 Aug 2015
                                                
                                            
                                                Answered on
                                             
                                            
                                                
                                                Tue, 25 Aug 2015
                                                
                                                
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                                            Question : hi my name is XXXXXXX I am 53 yrs of age and have had issues with my health for the last 2-2 1/2 years. started off with left side surface type headaches with tender scalp starting behind left eye temple and ear area. after quite a few visits to gp with no XXXXXXX  I was told I was pre diabetic by same gp through blood tests with no let up of the head aches she prescribed prednisone which stopped the headaches but made me diabetic.she also referred me to a neurologist who I am still seeing at the moment. I suddenly lost 100% hearing in left ear over night, and have recently had cochlea implant.  in January 2015 my right ear went down to about 5-10% took myself to hospital where I spent about 5 days. (before I go further let me run you through tests I have had done, CTs, MRIs, LUMBAR PUNCTURES, PET SCAN,CEREBAL ANUGRAM plus numerous blood tests all coming up clear. I am due to have biopsy on right temple area any day now.). getting back to right ear while in hospital I was put back on steroids starting at 80mg for 2 weeks titrated down to 20mg where I then went down in 5mg increments every 2 weeks. this stabilised my right hearing. no sooner had I finished the course of steroids I lost my hearing again  off to hospital again where doctor injected steroid in ear which has again stabilised. where am I now? have headaches every day go to bed with one wake up with one sometimes I get woken by one. I take paracetamol when I feel I need to, usually 2 2 to 3 times a day. waiting for call to have biopsy,testing for temporal artritis. does what I describe hold symptoms that fit that disease?
the symptoms on my right side seem to mirror what happened on my left side.
                            the symptoms on my right side seem to mirror what happened on my left side.
                                    Brief Answer:
Possible Temporal arteritis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir,
I understand your concern.
The possibility of Temporal arteritis is extremely high in your case given the symptoms you described.
Previously unrecognized high incidence of audiovestibular disturbances such as vestibular dysfunction and/or hearing impairment are common in patients with Temporal arteritis .
Biopsy of the temporal artery is an excellent investigative tool that can help in diagnosis.
Further management depends on the test results.
Post your further queries if any,
thank you.
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                            Possible Temporal arteritis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir,
I understand your concern.
The possibility of Temporal arteritis is extremely high in your case given the symptoms you described.
Previously unrecognized high incidence of audiovestibular disturbances such as vestibular dysfunction and/or hearing impairment are common in patients with Temporal arteritis .
Biopsy of the temporal artery is an excellent investigative tool that can help in diagnosis.
Further management depends on the test results.
Post your further queries if any,
thank you.
 Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
                              
                            
                                  
                                      Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
                                  
                              
                                         
 
                                    
                                    
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