I had an MRI last night after several months of increasingly more severe headaches, lightheadedness, etc. I am looking for reassurance/insight so I am posting here, because I love this board and the advice that I get.
Track back to February. I went to the doctor because I had a numb little toe on my right foot. The doctor did a variety of blood tests, everything came back normal. I was told if the numbness did not go away in a month or if I began experiencing "other neurological symptoms" to come back in right away. In about a week and a half my toe was fine and I thought nothing else of it.
Sometime in March I began having headaches, which is not normal for me. They started off just feeling like I had pressure in my head, nothing too severe. The headaches have become increasingly worse and don't ever really seem to go away.
I have 3 types of headaches that I have identified. The first is the constant nagging headache. It is mild to moderate on the pain scale, and I would explain it as a lot of pressure in my head. The second type is the severe, long-lasting type. They are almost always behind my right ear and they hurt like hell. During these episodes nothing helps, my eyes become bloodshot and my scalp becomes tender to the touch. It hurts to stand, it hurts to sit, it hurts to lie and the regular pain medications do nothing. The pain is like nothing I have ever felt before. It is not a throbbing or pounding, but more of an extreme pressure and stabbing feeling. The third type is the sudden stabbing headache on the left side of my head. These come out of no where and I have been having several per day. They come very suddenly and feel like someone just stabbed a knife in my head. They only last a few seconds, but they are excruciating and leave me doubled over, grabbing my head and moaning most of the time.
I have also had many spells of lightheadedness, which can last from seconds to hours. These spells are usually accompanied by nausea, wavy vision and an inability to focus on anything after they happen.
I went to my general practitioner yesterday afternoon to talk about my headaches. She asked lots of questions about the type, length, and severity of my symptoms. She did lots of reflex testing, looked thoroughly at my eyes and tested my balance. After reviewing my symptoms and completing her testing she made the following conclusions:
• I am not having typical "migraine type symptoms"
• My left pupil is dilated larger than my right
• All the other testing she ran was within "normal range"
• She is concerned that I had two seizures in my teens that did not have a reason
• She is concerned about the sudden onset and increasing severity of my headaches
• Due to all of the above she is concerned there is something else happening on/in my brain
She wanted me to have an MRI as soon as possible and strongly urged me to take the 10:15 PM appointment that was available last night. It really freaked me out that she found it to be such an urgent situation, so I had the MRI last night. I am now waiting on results. The imaging lab said they would get results to the doctor in 24-48 hours. In the meantime it looks like I am going to have a very long weekend. I am scared and looking for further insight.
Thank you all for the response and concern, it was exactly what I needed to get me through the day.
I got a letter on Saturday in the mail letting me know that everything came out fine in my MRI. Thank goodness. The results said no masses were found, no blood problems (I don't have the letter with me right now, and don't remember what the technical terms were) and no sinus blockages were seen.
Needless to say, I continued to have headaches through the weekend. I am going to get in touch with my doctor today to find out what the next step should be.
If anyone has any other ideas of what could be causing this or any other suggestions that would be appreciated. It seems in the medical world today you have to be a huge advocate for yourself and have to go in prepared with information. I am just not sure where to start.
Thanks again for everyones kind words and thoughts.
Hi R.
Hang in there, I know it sucks to have to wait. If your MRI comes back normal you may want to see a chiropractor. You may simply just be unalined which will cause your body lots of problems. Good luck and I will keep you in my thoughts.:)T.
Hi R.,
Have you switched any cleaning products recently. Brands or what have you...What have you done differently in your life within the time frame that this started. Change jobs? moved?
Have you had any re-modeling done? new carpeting put in?
Make sure that your bleach and windex are not in the same cubboard. This creates a gas that has been linked in killing people.
I have had cluster headaches, migraines, and the same shooting paynes in my head for as long as I can remember.
I found out that Pledge was one of the biggest contributors to my migraines and cluster headaches. I had a tumor (Hyper-parathyroid) that was taking the calcium out of my bones and putting it in my bloodstream & hormones were the other factors.
I had the tumor removed and have miraculously been "med" free for the last several years.
Think positive! What you think about, we bring about! Gotta think happy, thoughts. God doesn't give you anything you can't handle. So whatever the outcome, just know, God's got your back and He knows that you will be able to deal with whatever it is.
Many blessings to you! You'll be in my prayers this weekend!
J.
Waiting...sometimes its an awful word. I know its so hard. Keep in mind, the results could come back as many different things and only a few of those would be cause for concern. It could be something that a simple pill or chiro adjustment could fix. You've got a great weekend in front of you. A weekend to spend with that little boy and enjoy the spring weather. Don't allow "what if" thoughts to ruin this time!! :)
Have a GREAT weekend!
We'll be waiting to see an update from you as soon as you know!
Your friends at Mamasource.
R.,
Of course you're scared! Try not to read too much into your doctor's insistence on a fast MRI. If there is increased pressure in your brain, they want to know right away. Brain and heart issues always take top priority, so don't be freaked out by that. Your age is working for you on this...most neurologic disorders begin at later ages. That isn't to say you're immune, but being 24 helps you.
How long ago did you have your baby? I ask because sometimes postpartum issues arise that can help explain your condition. It sounds like your doctor is all over this and I'm sure you'll get answers soon. The waiting can be the worst part as your mind assumes all sorts of awful outcomes, but try and be thankful that we have such great medical advances in this country. Best wishes and keep us informed!
Hi R.,
I know it will be very hard, but try to get out of the house this weekend and do something fun with your family. Take your kids fishing or go for a long walk, maybe a long soak in the tub or two! I have heard of this before, my grandmother had some of the same symptoms it seemed like no one was able to help her. Finally, they took a look at her back and behold she had popped a vertebrae out of place. Her back wasn't hurting becuase it was at the base of her spine at the top, so she was getting headaches instead. She also felt sick to her stomach with the pain. I will be praying for you, take care of yourself!
Hi. I am sorry all of this is happening. I know how scary it can be. I was in a similarly "urgent" situation a few years ago, though with different symptoms. I would suggest calling your doctor and seeing if she can get results back for you more quickly. She sounds great and can be a good advocate for you. Perhaps since she thought it urgent enough to send you in last night she may be able to see if they can get results back to her ASAP. Maybe not, but it is worth a shot. I loved what everyone else said to find things to keep you occupied and having fun so that you don't worry too much. You really can't guess what they will or won't find. It may be nothing. Even if it is something, you will get through it.
I would also recommend getting yourself to a specialist, even if only for a second opinion. In my case I had to have a brain tumor removed. It was benign, luckily, and everything went extremely well. I felt very secure knowing I had super doctors to work with. I have an excellent neurologist, Dr. Eric Nussbaum. I would highly recommend him and would be happy to get you his contact info if you want it. Please feel free to contact me if you need any other info, want to get support, or anything. Take good care of yourself.
In this day and age, fast response is good! Be happy the doctors are being proactive. If they do find anything (and MRI's are pretty reliable) they'll act fast, and things will hopefully be quickly resolved. Don't be afraid, try to be hopeful and realize you're blessed that things are coming together quickly. You'll be in my prayers.
so did you find out what was causing the headaches? i read that your mri was normal, thats good. im currently waiting on the results of an mri that i had on tuesday. i am having the same symptoms of you. my headaches started 3 weeks ago. for about a week i was having the sharp stabbing pain on the left side of my head. same as you it only lasted a few seconds but they occured 20 times a day. ive tried rx tension headache pain meds, anti inflammatorties and STRONG muscle relaxers and none of those even touch it. the last 2 weeks my headaches are more pressure with occasional stabbing pain but not as severe and less frequent. since its already been 2 days im guessing its not anything urgent or they would have called me already? but if its not anything serious than what could be causing these??
