@evinann, GCA is nothing to mess around with. I would seek help from a rheumatologist as soon as possible, or teaching hospital or major health facility. Here's some information from Mayo Clinic:

"The best way to confirm a diagnosis of giant cell arteritis is by taking a small sample (biopsy) of the temporal artery. This artery is situated close to the skin just in front of your ears and continues up to your scalp. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis using local anesthesia, usually with little discomfort or scarring. The sample is examined under a microscope in a laboratory."
--- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/giant-cell-arteritis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372764

Wow I had the exact same symptoms and went to the emergency room. They admitted me and they did the biopsy. It was not painful at all during or after mine was negative but the prednisone has now been lowered and my headaches are back on the right side as well . I also noticed those veins in the exact same place you were mentioning. I’m in a dilemma as well. I went from 40 mg to 7.5 of prednisone. Just wondering what I should do as well. I’ll keep you posted. Please keep me posted. Good luck.

Hi @evinann, I noticed the top of my head was tender when I touched it. That lasted a couple of weeks. For months, though, I had a very stiff and sore neck, which extended halfway up my head on the left and right sides of my skull, and short stabbing pains on the right side of my face from my ear to my nose. Also, a couple incidents of not being able to see out of my right eye, which lasted about 20 minutes. Also an itchy torso for a few weeks and a dry, nonproductive cough.
I had started with symptoms of PMR about a year prior to all this, but my inflammation markers were low and it was not diagnosed until my lab work showed anemia.