Headaches after napping? - Headaches & Migraines Message Board

luminescent · 04-28-2009, 08:24 AM

I will sometimes, although very rarely, get this feeling after I sleep at night, but I get it every time after napping. I get an extreme headache, it feels like all the blood and pressure in my body has gone to my head and is continuing to try to push up, and I get very light-headed and dizzy, mainly when I stand, but sometimes while sitting too. It has gotten to last longer and longer each time... I used to wait it out and then have a dull headache for the day, but now I have to take ibuprofen because it lasts too long. Other symptoms I've been having include:

fatigue
depression
anxiety
daily headaches otherwise
hair loss
dry skin/lips
palpitations (they come on randomly, not when I'm stressed or anxious)
poor memory, brain lag, brain fog, confusion, etc.
ice cold extremities
acne
decreased libido
diarrhea
heat intolerence
frequent urinary tract infections
decreased appetite
small-moderate weight gain

Although we only did the TSH test, my doctor ruled out thyroid (lab result was 1.5). He wasn't very interested in any adrenal cause. I feel like anxiety could explain most of this, but not all... especially not the horrible feeling after napping. Plus, I'm a firm believer that things like anxiety and depression are caused by something, either real life events that bring you down (which isn't the issue) or a medical condition.

So I don't know. Does it sound like anything to you? My doctor is scheduling a CT scan, but I like to get ahead of the game.

I love medical science.

Dragon79 · 04-29-2009, 07:40 AM

Hello.

I have been experiencing something very similar to this for the past few months, although not with napping. I wake up a lot at night, and once in a while when I'm sleeping my head will start pounding every time I roll over. When I get up in the morning it is much worse when I stand and I get lightheaded. The bad ones like that will last for a few days, slowly getting better. Lately they have been milder though. I am on medication for migraines, but am still getting headaches every day.

I also have had some of your other symptoms... hair loss, fatigue, memory/concentration problems, heat/cold intolerance, cold extremities (which sometimes get flushed and hot), intestinal problems. I used to get frequent UTIs, but they stopped when I was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis (many similar symptoms to UTIs).

My TSH was 1.2, and I've had an MRI and sleep study that both came back normal except for the waking up a lot. One possibility I haven't explored yet is Hashimoto's, which can give Thyroid symptoms without an abnormal TSH. The test to determine that is for antibodies. Apparently this test isn't usually done without an abnormal TSH. Also, although my ferritin and B12 levels were within range when they were tested (31 and 385), from what I've been reading here they might be low enough to experience symptoms. At my next doctor appointment I'm going to ask to have all my vitamin levels tested, and if they are low ask my GI doctor about possible malabsorption issues.

Good luck with the CT scan and let me know if you figure anything out!

luminescent · 04-29-2009, 08:02 AM

Hi, thanks for the reply! We should definitely keep each other up to date; it sounds like we have a lot of similar issues.

Hashimoto's, yes, that's the name of what I was thinking is still a possibility as well. But with a great TSH level, my doctor seems very hesitant to consider anymore thyroid issues. I don't think he was very thrilled on my suggestion of it to begin with. Maybe when this CT scan comes up clear, he'll continue to pursue the matter? Otherwise, I don't know if he's very concerned. He scheduled a follow-up after the scan, assuming that it's clear, in two weeks. Previously, he scheduled a follow-up in four weeks, but I asked for a sooner appointment because this headache thing is quite annoying. Is that normal for a doctor to do?

Dragon79 · 04-29-2009, 08:31 AM

I don't think my GP knows a lot about thyroid issues, and I can't see an endocrinologist in the practice without a diagnosis of something, so I think I'd have to really push to get the antibodies testing. It's a simple test, maybe if you bring it up enough your doctor will do it just to shut you up.

I'm seeing a neurologist for my headaches, and the follow-ups usually range from 4 to 6 weeks. That's usually due to waiting to see if a treatment helps though (I've been trying different medications, and have also had injections in my occipital lobes). He did call me up (on a Sunday even) right away when the MRI results came back. I understand about wanting to act sooner on headaches though... I've been suffering them on and off for probably about 15 years. They've been almost daily for the past six months, and though the severity has decreased with medication, it is still very frustrating to deal with daily pain.

Dragon79 · 04-29-2009, 08:53 AM

Oh, something I forgot to mention is that my neurologist recommended the book "Heal Your Headache" by Dr. David Buchholz. It focuses on reducing migraine triggers by getting rid of rebound headaches (usually from caffeine and some medications) and avoiding dietary triggers. I've just started working on my diet, so I don't know if it'll help or not, but I'm hopeful.