boundangel
08-26-2005, 03:01 PM
Hi all! :wave:
Im hoping that someone can give some advice on a headache problem. Ive had a history of migraines and tension headaches since I was little as well as a myriad of other physical issues. About a month ago I got a whopper of a headache that wasnt similar to the ones Im used to (tension = across forehead pain usually shortlived, Migraine = 1 sided blindness, change of sense of smell/taste, extreme pain and oddly pretty geometic shapes lasts up to 2 weeks for me). Its at the base of my skull along with a very stiff neck and photosensitiity. Theres a stabbing pain in my left temple and a patch of numbness/odd sensation down from my temple across my cheek and with the usual nausea and dizzyness.
Eventually it passed but the numbness remained for a few weeks afterwards. My GP reckoned it was just a migraine and prescribed Naratriptan.
About 5 days ago it happened again, the same stabbing sensation and patch of numbness on my left hand side. About 2 days ago I suffered a seizure (Ive had them about 2 years now, undiagnosed) and it became blinding. The pain has calmed down somewhat now though.
My GP is playing the wait and see game and has quadrupled my longterm pain meds (codydramol).
On the main I can deal with headaches and pain but this patch on my face is driving me batty! :confused: I keep reaching up to brush whatever it is from the side of my face and theres still nothing there.
Does anyone know what would cause such sensation on the face and what I can do to make it stop so I can get some sleep?
Thanks :)
Im hoping that someone can give some advice on a headache problem. Ive had a history of migraines and tension headaches since I was little as well as a myriad of other physical issues. About a month ago I got a whopper of a headache that wasnt similar to the ones Im used to (tension = across forehead pain usually shortlived, Migraine = 1 sided blindness, change of sense of smell/taste, extreme pain and oddly pretty geometic shapes lasts up to 2 weeks for me). Its at the base of my skull along with a very stiff neck and photosensitiity. Theres a stabbing pain in my left temple and a patch of numbness/odd sensation down from my temple across my cheek and with the usual nausea and dizzyness.
Eventually it passed but the numbness remained for a few weeks afterwards. My GP reckoned it was just a migraine and prescribed Naratriptan.
About 5 days ago it happened again, the same stabbing sensation and patch of numbness on my left hand side. About 2 days ago I suffered a seizure (Ive had them about 2 years now, undiagnosed) and it became blinding. The pain has calmed down somewhat now though.
My GP is playing the wait and see game and has quadrupled my longterm pain meds (codydramol).
On the main I can deal with headaches and pain but this patch on my face is driving me batty! :confused: I keep reaching up to brush whatever it is from the side of my face and theres still nothing there.
Does anyone know what would cause such sensation on the face and what I can do to make it stop so I can get some sleep?
Thanks :)
Sponsor
SRMom
08-26-2005, 03:40 PM
Sounds like a massive muscle cramp in the back of your neck from a migraine that could be pinching a nerve and causing numbness? When I get migraines at the base of my skull, I can feel a really hard knot that leads me to believe it is a muscle spasm. I have muscle relaxers I take in that case (Soma), along with Relpax and Vicodin. Sometimes the headache will come back after the meds wear off and I'll have to take more, but they usually go away with one dose. My husband will rub my neck and that helps a little and I also use a heating pad if I think it's a cramp (otherwise I usually prefer cold packs during a migraine).
The seizure thing sounds bad. I don't know anything about those, but I bet they cause a lot of muscle tension. I hope you can get a diagnosis. Good luck.
SRMom
The seizure thing sounds bad. I don't know anything about those, but I bet they cause a lot of muscle tension. I hope you can get a diagnosis. Good luck.
SRMom
Mz Migraine
08-26-2005, 03:50 PM
About 2 days ago I suffered a seizure (Ive had them about 2 years now, undiagnosed)
:confused:
Your GP never referred you to a Neurologist? :eek:
My GP is playing the wait and see game
Waiting for what? :confused:
How old are you?
:confused:
Your GP never referred you to a Neurologist? :eek:
My GP is playing the wait and see game
Waiting for what? :confused:
How old are you?
boundangel
08-26-2005, 05:15 PM
Hi again,
Thanks for the replies. It could be muscle cramp - it feels incredibly stiff and Im having problems moving my neck. Ive tried a hot water bottle but its too painful to let other half touch. :)
Mz M - Im 22 yrs old (getting on 70 :p ). Ive been refered to various different specialists over the years for a lot of my physical probs but because theyre so complicated I just got passed from doc to doc and department to department until I had enough. I was sent to a neurologist when the seizures first started about 2 yrs ago especially as there is a lot of epilepsy in my family (my dad being the closest) even members who have to remain permanently sedated due to it. I had started having 'blank' episodes where I didnt respond, didnt blink, and made movements unconnected to what I was doing. This was followed eventually by full on loss of conciousness and muscle spasms. These have continued regularly since then, even in my sleep.
The neuro doc took a blood test and did an EEG, told me there was nothing wrong and discharged me. Eventually it came to light when his letter arrived at my GP that he thought I was mentally ill as my blood tests are almost normal (non pernicious B12 anaemia). Non too keen to see more docs :eek:
My GP has basically told me to wait and see if the headache/numbness will go away by itself. I get the feeling that he hopes (as well as me) that it will just be a new symptom of my migraines that wont need dealing with.
Anne
Thanks for the replies. It could be muscle cramp - it feels incredibly stiff and Im having problems moving my neck. Ive tried a hot water bottle but its too painful to let other half touch. :)
Mz M - Im 22 yrs old (getting on 70 :p ). Ive been refered to various different specialists over the years for a lot of my physical probs but because theyre so complicated I just got passed from doc to doc and department to department until I had enough. I was sent to a neurologist when the seizures first started about 2 yrs ago especially as there is a lot of epilepsy in my family (my dad being the closest) even members who have to remain permanently sedated due to it. I had started having 'blank' episodes where I didnt respond, didnt blink, and made movements unconnected to what I was doing. This was followed eventually by full on loss of conciousness and muscle spasms. These have continued regularly since then, even in my sleep.
The neuro doc took a blood test and did an EEG, told me there was nothing wrong and discharged me. Eventually it came to light when his letter arrived at my GP that he thought I was mentally ill as my blood tests are almost normal (non pernicious B12 anaemia). Non too keen to see more docs :eek:
My GP has basically told me to wait and see if the headache/numbness will go away by itself. I get the feeling that he hopes (as well as me) that it will just be a new symptom of my migraines that wont need dealing with.
Anne
SRMom
08-26-2005, 05:35 PM
Eventually it came to light when his letter arrived at my GP that he thought I was mentally ill as my blood tests are almost normal (non pernicious B12 anaemia). Non too keen to see more docs :eek:
Anne
I get so frustrated with doctors jumping to this conclusion when they can't find out what is wrong. It sounds like you've had petit mal and grand mal seizures and they still don't think it's epilepsy? Maybe there is some benefit to your life to not have this diagnosis and the doctor is reluctant to classify you as epileptic. Good luck.
Anne
I get so frustrated with doctors jumping to this conclusion when they can't find out what is wrong. It sounds like you've had petit mal and grand mal seizures and they still don't think it's epilepsy? Maybe there is some benefit to your life to not have this diagnosis and the doctor is reluctant to classify you as epileptic. Good luck.
Mz Migraine
08-26-2005, 05:59 PM
boundangel, I wish you luck. I hope you eventually find help for your problems.
Have you visited the Epilepsy Forum?
Have you visited the Epilepsy Forum?
boundangel
08-26-2005, 06:03 PM
No havent popped over there yet :)
I'll stick my head in.
I'll stick my head in.
boundangel
08-29-2005, 08:48 PM
Hi guys
Just back from the hospital and docs think this could be cause by a subarachnoid haemorrhage. Does anyone know more about this?
Just back from the hospital and docs think this could be cause by a subarachnoid haemorrhage. Does anyone know more about this?
SRMom
08-29-2005, 09:03 PM
Well, from what I read, it is bleeding in the fluid that surrounds the brain. It can have many causes, so the treatment would probably vary based on the cause. It can be a serious problem or not. It sounds like you might get some meds to lower your blood pressure. You might end up having surgery to "fix" the bleeding if it continues. At least it sounds like you will be getting the proper tests now.
Just so you know, this could be caused by AVM's which aren't necessarily serious. They are spontaneous bleeds that come and go, but resolve themself quickly. My husband has them in his colon, but they are common in the brain too. Please take good care and continue your followup.
-SRMom
Just so you know, this could be caused by AVM's which aren't necessarily serious. They are spontaneous bleeds that come and go, but resolve themself quickly. My husband has them in his colon, but they are common in the brain too. Please take good care and continue your followup.
-SRMom
boundangel
08-29-2005, 09:06 PM
Thanks SRmum :0)
Its comforting to know that someone else has some experience. Could AVM's be cause by vasculitis like my other symptoms?
Its comforting to know that someone else has some experience. Could AVM's be cause by vasculitis like my other symptoms?
SRMom
08-29-2005, 09:19 PM
Gosh, I don't know, but I'd say they definitely could be related. Vasculitis is an inflammation, but the cause could be from disease or allergy. If I were you, I wouldn't take aspirin or other meds that thin the blood like ibuprofen, because if you have bleeding, it could make it worse. I know your head probably hurts terribly, so your doctor should prescribe something appropriate for you. At least that silly doc won't call you crazy now. My heart is with you boundangel!
boundangel
08-31-2005, 05:38 PM
Hi again
I had the CT scan and they said it was normal but couldnt rule out a small bleed/AVM. The docs wanted to do an LP to rule out meningitis but I unfortunately have an extreme inflammatory response to the slightest trauma, meaning my small blood test has left me with an arm twice its normal size and a huge bruise, not too keen on the similar reaction somewhere that is as delicate as my lower spine with my nerve/spinal damage there already.
So Ive come home after discharging myself (all my bloods were normal) and I suspect that this is probably aseptic meningitis caused by the inflammatory/immune/neurological complications. Looking at the other girls with similar symptoms and my 'Behcet's bible' its a pretty common thing.
Question is, how do I get rid of it? Do I just wait a few weeks for the flare to subside as it really isnt causing major probs apart from the headache and numbness.
I had the CT scan and they said it was normal but couldnt rule out a small bleed/AVM. The docs wanted to do an LP to rule out meningitis but I unfortunately have an extreme inflammatory response to the slightest trauma, meaning my small blood test has left me with an arm twice its normal size and a huge bruise, not too keen on the similar reaction somewhere that is as delicate as my lower spine with my nerve/spinal damage there already.
So Ive come home after discharging myself (all my bloods were normal) and I suspect that this is probably aseptic meningitis caused by the inflammatory/immune/neurological complications. Looking at the other girls with similar symptoms and my 'Behcet's bible' its a pretty common thing.
Question is, how do I get rid of it? Do I just wait a few weeks for the flare to subside as it really isnt causing major probs apart from the headache and numbness.
Behcets Ontario
08-31-2005, 06:19 PM
Just wanted to add my opinion to this......
If you have Behcet's Disease; Headaches are a major symptom.......... a nasty one at that....
I suffer from headaches everyday and the drug of choice for it is "topamax"
Keep Strong Hopeful and Healthy
Tracey
If you have Behcet's Disease; Headaches are a major symptom.......... a nasty one at that....
I suffer from headaches everyday and the drug of choice for it is "topamax"
Keep Strong Hopeful and Healthy
Tracey
boundangel
09-01-2005, 05:43 AM
Hi
Another BD'er :0)
Is topamax available in the UK?
Another BD'er :0)
Is topamax available in the UK?
SRMom
09-01-2005, 12:37 PM
Boundangel, look around on the boards for people's experiences with Topamax and maybe Tracey (Behcets Ontario) could tell you about any side effects. I've been reading some bad reports about this medication. It's an epilepsy medicine also used to prevent migraines. I have frequent migraines, but I don't know if I'd be able to put up the the side effects. Good luck.
boundangel
09-01-2005, 03:27 PM
Hmm just having a look at the side effects - a few of the BD girls in my support group use it as well as something called neurontin. The side effects seem to be increased risk of kidney stones, reduced effectiveness of the pill, extreme drowsiness and possible weight loss (which Im not keen on with IBD like probs).
I guess the most important thing is what peoples eperiences are of it rather than what it says on the label.
What have they been like?
I guess the most important thing is what peoples eperiences are of it rather than what it says on the label.
What have they been like?
SRMom
09-01-2005, 03:47 PM
From what I've read, they are saying it causes a significant increase in anxiety, weight loss, numbness in extremities...just to mention a few. You can do an advanced search for Topamax related threads on this website if you are interested.
Deborah11
06-15-2007, 10:47 AM
I am on Imuran and headaches is one of the symptoms that it does not control well. But it has worked wonders for me as far as mouth ulcers, and other flare up things. I am now able to function relatively well.