I just don't know... - Headaches & Migraines Message Board

poetess · 06-23-2001, 11:02 AM

I'm new to this forum and have stumbled across it looking for info on any info I might be able to find on what my problems could be. I just don't know anymore what to think. I started back in 1999 with a severe headache that would not go away. Mainly centered in back of my right eye. My then primary care doctor thought it was sinus and prescribed something and then wouldn't go away still so then he thought it was a tension headache. I began to start waking up in the middle of the night with severe headaches. My insurance switched and so did my primary care doctor. My new one sent me to a neuro and she prescribed something that seemed to help a little with the constant headache but was still waking up with worse ones. She claimed they were cluster headaches. Evenutally they started to fade out but still had constant headache. She noticed that I was weak on my right side after I complained that I had been having problems with back of neck hurting for some time. She sent me for a Cervical Spine MRI and then referred me to a neurosurgeon. He said the MRI showed degenerative disc problems at C1 C3 C5 C6 and C7 and figured the headaches were caused by the disc problems as pain felt in head from the spine.
He put me on Motrin and Skelaxin. It seemed to help a little but he noticed my neck has and still is very stiff. Cannot touch chin to chest. Last month after being on the Motrin for over a year, he thought it a good idea to start cutting back on the Motrin. I wound up starting up with constant headache again and next visit I saw him with bad headache behind the right eye again. He prescribed Neurontin which helped. I still get it but not as bad. He is continuing to increase the Neruontin. The last visit he remarked on the weakness on my right side and that it has persisted all of this time and I told him that I had noticed it had gotten worse. It's hard to hold right arm up for any length of time or pick up objects with one hand. Also has gotten harder to play the piano. My right leg has gotten weaker also. He ordered a brain MRI even though I had just had one of those back in March of 1999 at the beginning of all of this. I would really appreciate any ideas you may have on this and what forum I should really be in. What could my doc be thinking this could be? I'm getting worried and depressed that this has gotten no better. The Nerontin and Skelaxin seem to be making me so tired and out of sorts. My neck is still hurting and seems to shoot pain thru my shoulder and arm and different areas of spine. Sometimes it's hard to walk I even slept on my lunch hour the other day and luckily one of my co-workers was kind enough to come in and wake me up in an hour knowing of the problems I have been having. So many times I forget things and get confused. I forget certain words while I am speaking or writing and sometimes whole thoughts. I feel bad at work at times and embarrassed and try to cover everything up by smiling as much as I can and not trying to show how bad I feel, but don't know how long I will be able to keep up with this.
Thank you all so very much for your advice and ideas on this. Take care and have a good day.

Darianya · 06-23-2001, 03:33 PM

I don't have much clue as to what could be causing your pain, but I would trust the neurosurgeon to know what she's doing as far as investigation is concerned. And if you have worries and concerns that are depressing you, tell that to the doctor and discuss them, she may be able to put some of them to rest, and ease your mind.

What I do know a lot about is people's reactions to this type of problem. The more you smile and try to hide how badly you feel, the less people understand that you really are suffering. You don't have to whine or complain about it all the time, but it's okay to show people that you have a problem, and some people (like your thoughtful coworker) will be understanding and helpful.

If you can afford to and if your benefits allow for it, it may be a good idea to claim short term disability so you can deal with your health problems. Stress generally makes things worse, and the more stress you can cut out of your life (since you cannot cut out the stress from the pain and other problems) the better.

I wish you the best of luck with this! *comforts*

Darianya

[This message has been edited by Darianya (edited 06-23-2001).]

poetess · 06-23-2001, 05:48 PM

Thanks Darianya
It's so nice finally having someone to understand all of this. Although I don't
think I will take the short term disability
for now, I'm a single mom with 2 grown children and 1 seven year old and need to work in order to get by in the world, I will take some of your advice. Makes me feel better knowing I'm not alone with this.
Take care

mlgable · 06-24-2001, 11:39 AM

Be sure they thoroughly investigate the cause of your right sided weakness as this may or may not be related to your headaches. If at any time you feel they are not doing enough testing or the medication is not working well enough etc be sure to speak up and let your doctor know this. Good luck and it would be nice to keep us posted as to what they discover is the cause of you weakness problems.

poetess · 06-24-2001, 10:11 PM

Okay mlgable, I will definitely keep in touch. My doc is supposed to be a very good doc but is really hard to talk to. Very arrogant, and in a hurry all the time. He also makes me feel very stupid. I've considered swithcing docs but hate to have to go over the whole thing again. One question if anyone knows. My doc is a nuerosurgeon and have been wondering if an orthopedic specialist is better for these problems. Just wondering. Thanks again mlgable for your info.