Scalp pain after temporal artery biopsy for GCA on 4/28

Yes. On April 21, 2026, I had a temporal artery biopsy done.
Only one artery. A 2” incision in front of my left ear.

I had it done because I have had tender scalp for a few months and an ultrasound done in the first week of April was negative for GCA. I’m on Kevzara and 5mg Prednisone and both can cause false negatives on ultrasounds.
The biopsy also returned negative for GCA.

My scalp pain is on the crown, both sides of the crown and mostly on the left side (where the biopsy was taken, but not near the incision.) The incision itself has never hurt. I was given pain meds for that but never needed it. I had a left hemisphere, deep, headache for 3 days that began immediately upon waking from the surgery. I never had a “one-sided” headache ever before. The surgeon couldn’t explain it.

Moving around? Maybe a little bit at first, but more of an increasing, decreasing, increasing pain in three areas. Maybe I’m learning to tolerate it.
The pain is itchy, burning like, and at the same time a bit numb (as if that makes sense.) If I scratch it, it becomes more problematic. If I massage it, I think that helps. (Wishful)
I tried cortisone cream and switched shampoo, but no help.
So, yes, scalp pain, but none when bending over and I can put my readers on and off with no problems.

So, my tender, painful scalp remains since before the biopsy.
I’ve just decided to tough it out.
My rheumatologist wanted me to go up to 60mg Prednisone before the ultrasound (I didn’t.)
I have almost every bad side-effect Prednisone offers and I want to decrease it not increase it. lol, imagine that. :/

How are you today?

@stonewheel
Sio glad your biopsy was also negative. My biopsy was done under a local, so that (the injection site ) might be relevant. It was strange to be able to hear the surgeon describing it aloud for the surgical recording.

I was under general anesthesia.
I was glad to hear that you were negative.
Did they take 4 different artery samples from you ?

My temporal artery biopsy was done March 9, 2026 under anesthsia, by a vascular surgeon in the OR. It was done 12 days after my pred was increased from 10 to 40 mg as we were pretty certain my nightly exquisite temporal, TMJ, nuchal line and bilateral jaw pain (8/10) was GCA symptoms. The 40 mg alleviated all my symptoms. My research indicated the biopsy needed to be done in a 14 day window after the pred increase to avoid a false negative as the pred could decrease the likelihood of the arterial inflammation to be visible skewing the results. God orchestrated the timing and the result was def positive. I have been tapering the pred since going on weekly Tyenne injections and sm now down to 7.5 mg.
As for the scalp pain that you describe, I had none. I am shocked you had the biopsy done under a local! I wonder if a nerve was accidentally damaged resulting in your symptoms?
Just wanted to share my experience in hopes of shedding some light on your situation.
God speed to you 🙏 and pray for symptom relief for you.

Minor pain should resolve but it can be normal to have numbness and abnormal sensation after skin and incisions. If it is not resolved see the surgeon for follow up.

@seniormed
I followed up with the surgeon last week.
He didn’t offer any reason for the scalp pain.
I do agree with what you said. I’m giving it time.

@stonewheel
Yes, four. No vascular surgeon available during the urgent time frame. Surgery was done by an ophthalmic surgeon.

@stonewheel So sorry for the continuing pain. As to the massage it may not be just wishful thinking. I'm highly allergic to poison ivy, and with the last "event" when I had the urge to scratch, I found gentle stroking calmed the itching. It may be that doing the stroking or massaging has a calming effect.

@gud2gro
I woke up this morning and it was better (less tender.)
Maybe it’s a trend for the better.

How are you today?

@gud2gro
Was there a reason for four?
When I got the negative result, I was thrilled, but wondered if he should have done more than one, just to be sure.
He said one was enough and that if I had GCA, they would have shown up.
So, why four?