Almost ended up in the ER last night - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

Katina128 · 11-19-2006, 09:53 PM

DH and I had planned to take the kids to out to dinner and to a hockey game last night. We had saved money and planned on this for a month and a half, and were going with some friends from out of town. I started getting a headache as I was getting ready to go, but figured I could just take some excedrin and go on. I got ready, we left, and by the time we got halfway down the road, I thought I would croak it hurt so much. DH stopped and got me a Mello Yello to tank up on caffeine and I took 3 excedrin migraines. Got to the resturant and I was incapacitated with the pain. Told them to go on in and eat. I stayed in the car. I couldn't move, wanted to throw up, was writhing in pain. I seriously wanted to just die at that point. I called dh back and said to eat, then come out and take me to the ER. I couldn't take it. I wanted to crawl out of my skin. I just wanted to get away from the pain any way I could. I was crying, shaking uncontrollably, ready to throw up at any minute. It was the worst migraine I've ever experienced. He got done, and came out to the car. We left and headed towards home and the ER. Couldn't get ahold of the inlaws to meet us there and get the boys, so I decided I'd just ride it out at home until we found them. It was easing just a tad, enough for me to hopefully cope with. I got home, took a vicodin, 2 ultram, and 2 sudafed and went back to bed. I just wanted to close my eyes and try to sleep it off. I woke up an hour or two later and it was down to a liveable level. I ate some crackers and stayed in bed. I eventually went back to sleep and I think it's finally gone. It came from my neck. I had this painful spot on the right side of my neck at the base of my skull, so I know it is related to whatever is going on in my neck. I'm going to see my primary doc on monday and get some meds to take when the migraine starts that will actually WORK on it, and demand an MRI to see what's going on. I hope I never have another migraine like that again. I seriously could have cut off my own head and wouldn't have thought twice about it. It was that bad.

Does this seem familiar to anyone with neck problems? Does it sound like a bulge or herniation? I'm not sure what to think.

PearlDoves · 11-19-2006, 10:15 PM

Wow. I mean I know I got some migraines here and there and before things started to really become problematic with my neck and its stenosis via bone spurs (I had a C5-C6 ACDF) - I don't think I had ever had a migraine in my life until things started getting bad for me... but I would defiantly get an MRI , but I would also have other things investigated because migraines can manifest for other reasons as well. I'm totally ignorant on this but I sometimes see/hear things about cranial nerves - not sure if that could be a factor.. maybe something with the brain in general - again totally ignorant here, just kinda brainstorming out loud. Maybe something going on with spinal fluid, fluid in the brain, blood levels, chemisty, chemical levels, hormone levels... again just talking out loud.. trying to give you things to investigate. I hope you figure it out. God Bless you and good luck! Keep us posted.

I would just start noteing anything and everything that you notice about yourself.. keep a daily log of symptoms and questions so you don't forget anything when you go to your doc or see a specialist.

Katina128 · 11-20-2006, 11:11 AM

Thanks PearlDoves. I see my pcp tomorrow. Wish me luck. I hope he listens to me and understands how important it is to me to find out what is wrong.

PearlDoves · 11-20-2006, 11:26 AM

No prob. The only other thing I could possibly think of at the momment is maybe some rheumatoid prob in the cervical area.. again.. I'm totally ingnorant here and brainstorming outloud, take everything I say with a grain of salt and not something to worry about, just something to think and investigate as a possibility. The problem could be as simple as useing a stronger medication, which is what I would hope for you, but its good to look into it and investiage different avenues - better safe than sorry.

When I was looking into my neck problems I also had an MRI of the L-spine and an MRA of my carotids just to rule out other possiblities.

painfulneck · 11-20-2006, 05:29 PM

Katina-Hi I hope you are feeling better today. I had one of those headaches a few weeks ago. I hurt to move my head, nausea, pain. I did what you did. I washed down a couple of vicodin with a diet coke.(for the caffeine). It took me a few hours to feel alive again. Oh did I mention Iwas at a family wedding and I had to get up on the altar and read petitions. Thank God I was OK to do them, I would have hated to disappoint my niece. Ihad ACDF 5/6 less about 3 months ago and when I over do it I really feel it. I took it easy the rest of the night. Take care. P