Question: I've had a headache for two weeks now. There is a stiff neck, a low fever, distance vision is not as clear as usual, but no dizziness. The headache was radiating from the back of the head/neck area around both sides and into the forehead for the first ten days; then I awoke relatively pain free. There was still stiffness in the neck. Then the pain returned with the pain radiating from the neck area up the back of the head to the top of the head and there is a pulsating effect at times but not constantly. Most of the pain is at the base of the skull consistently.

I had two canker sores at the beginning of the headache episode, both of which have healed. I also noticed some stiffness in my jaw and swallowing solid food seemed more restricted, although not painful. Drinking fluids was not an issue. I tried ice packs with not visible change. Yesterday, I tried a heating pad and had momentary relief from pain. Since that time I've not had any further relief using heat.

That seems like a XXXXXXX answer to me and a bit of a cop out. I would appreciate some possible answers so I can do more research on my own until I can schedule an appointment with the local VA hospital.

Thank you. That was more helpful.

I've been taking Propanolol for benign essential tremors; could this have been involved in creating this episode? I've only been taking it for about three weeks, perhaps a month.

I agree, but I wanted to mention it. I looked at the symptoms for temporal arteritis and it most closely describes my own.

Thanks for your assistance. It will be helpful when I speak with my doctor tomorrow.