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For the last two weeks, I have been waking up with a headache, on the back of my head (right side) that pounds and then moves to my right and left temple, affecting my left jawline. My eyes are sometimes teary and my nasal passage gets a little congested. These symptoms last all day. When I go to bed, I am able to sleep, but when I awake in the morning, the cycle starts again. I am able to function, however, I am sensitive to noise, not light. I do not get dizzy. I do not feel nauseous. I am able to workout everyday, with this nagging, vice-like squeezing feeling. Last year, I was diagnosed with fibromylagia. This diagnosis requires me to visit my neurologist every 6 months. Last Thursday, I had an EEG, EMG, and Nerve Conduction test. The nerve conduction test signaled herniated disc (Lower back). I will receive the EEG's results this Thursday. My last MRI (Head) was done in 2007.
Please tell me what could possibly be causing my headaches. Oh yeah, no fevers. Ann

Submitted: 82 days and 14 hours ago.

Category: Health

Value: $20

Status: CLOSED

Gender: Female
Age: 42

Already Tried:
Went to PP today and he stated that I may have "trigeminal neuralgia"; however, when I looked up the symptoms, what I am experiencing, does not match. I had a physical performed 2 weeks ago and everything came back fine, with the exception, my iron is low.

Posted by Doctor Mark 82 days and 14 hours ago.

Info Request

This might well be a migraine headache that is occurring daily. Are you taking anything for the headaches?

82 days and 14 hours ago.

Reply

Currently, I am not. Today was the first time I tried Aleeve and that did not work. The PP care recommended Zanaflex, but I'm a little relunctant to try right now, considering I am taking Gabapentin 3x a day.

Posted by Doctor Mark 82 days and 14 hours ago.

Answer

I suspect that these are migraines. Your doc should try imitrex or one of the meds in that class. This is not trigeminal neuralgia, I agree.

82 days and 13 hours ago.

Reply

Thank your Dr. Mark for taking time out of your busy schedule to respond to my email. Its appreciated and thank you for all you do.

I thought migraines, and this is talking with someone that I work with that has dealt with migraines all her life, makes one feel nauseous, and at the onset, they see spots. I don't get any of that. When I drive, if I sit erect, the pain, is pounding, but when I twist my spine, the pain subsides a little. If I walk a moderate pace, the symptoms aren't noticeable, but if I am leisurely walking, i.e., shopping, the pain is unbearable and I feel weak. Sometimes I have to cut shopping short to get out in the air. This is all new to me, so please forgive me for being so long winded.

Posted by Doctor Mark 82 days and 13 hours ago.

Answer

Not all migraines have an aura , where they see spots,etc. Migraines ususally cause nausea but not always. The most common cause for daily headaches are migraines or tension headaches. There is no test for migraines. It's a clinical diagnosis. With all of your tests so far, major brain tumors and bleeds have been ruled out. I think you need a trial of meds for migraines, one of the tryptans to see if you respond.

82 days and 13 hours ago.

Reply

Was that the purpose behind the EEG? That was my first time having that test performed. My routine check up only involves the EMG and the NC test. If you don't mind me asking, how would that test rule out brain tumors?

Posted by Doctor Mark 82 days and 13 hours ago.

Answer

An EEG is to check for a seizure disorder. An EMG and NC checks for a neuropathy. None of these tests relates to headaches or a brain tumor. You mentioned an MRI of the head 2 years ago. So it's unlikely you have a tumor.

82 days and 13 hours ago.

Reply

Thanks for the reassurance. Since my MRI was done in 2007, do you think I should get another, or would that baseline be suffice? I know absolutely nothing about brain tumors or their symptoms, but could assume that the symptoms are similar.

Posted by Doctor Mark 82 days and 13 hours ago.

Answer

I would not get another brain MRI now. I strongly suspect that your headaches are migraines and you deserve a trial treatment for them.

82 days and 13 hours ago.

Reply

Okay, I will discuss this with my neurologist. Again, I truly, truly, thank you for being so patient with me. You have given me more time than any Primary Care Physician that I have seen since getting out of the military. Thank you. Ann

Accepted Answer

You are welcome. If I have helped , please tap the ACCEPT button so I get credit for my answers.

Accepts:
Expert:	Doctor Mark
Pos. Feedback:	94.6 %
Answered:	9/2/2009

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Gender: Female
Age: 42

Already Tried:
Went to PP today and he stated that I may have "trigeminal neuralgia"; however, when I looked up the symptoms, what I am experiencing, does not match. I had a physical performed 2 weeks ago and everything came back fine, with the exception, my iron is low.

Info Request

This might well be a migraine headache that is occurring daily. Are you taking anything for the headaches?

Reply

Currently, I am not. Today was the first time I tried Aleeve and that did not work. The PP care recommended Zanaflex, but I'm a little relunctant to try right now, considering I am taking Gabapentin 3x a day.

Answer

I suspect that these are migraines. Your doc should try imitrex or one of the meds in that class. This is not trigeminal neuralgia, I agree.

Reply

Answer

Reply

Was that the purpose behind the EEG? That was my first time having that test performed. My routine check up only involves the EMG and the NC test. If you don't mind me asking, how would that test rule out brain tumors?

Answer

An EEG is to check for a seizure disorder. An EMG and NC checks for a neuropathy. None of these tests relates to headaches or a brain tumor. You mentioned an MRI of the head 2 years ago. So it's unlikely you have a tumor.

Reply

Thanks for the reassurance. Since my MRI was done in 2007, do you think I should get another, or would that baseline be suffice? I know absolutely nothing about brain tumors or their symptoms, but could assume that the symptoms are similar.

Answer

I would not get another brain MRI now. I strongly suspect that your headaches are migraines and you deserve a trial treatment for them.

Reply

Okay, I will discuss this with my neurologist. Again, I truly, truly, thank you for being so patient with me. You have given me more time than any Primary Care Physician that I have seen since getting out of the military. Thank you. Ann

Accepted Answer

You are welcome. If I have helped , please tap the ACCEPT button so I get credit for my answers.

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Optional Information

Gender: FemaleAge: 42 Already Tried: Went to PP today and he stated that I may have "trigeminal neuralgia"; however, when I looked up the symptoms, what I am experiencing, does not match. I had a physical performed 2 weeks ago and everything came back fine, with the exception, my iron is low.

Info Request

This might well be a migraine headache that is occurring daily. Are you taking anything for the headaches?

Reply

Currently, I am not. Today was the first time I tried Aleeve and that did not work. The PP care recommended Zanaflex, but I'm a little relunctant to try right now, considering I am taking Gabapentin 3x a day.

Answer

I suspect that these are migraines. Your doc should try imitrex or one of the meds in that class. This is not trigeminal neuralgia, I agree.

Reply

Answer

Reply

Was that the purpose behind the EEG? That was my first time having that test performed. My routine check up only involves the EMG and the NC test. If you don't mind me asking, how would that test rule out brain tumors?

Answer

An EEG is to check for a seizure disorder. An EMG and NC checks for a neuropathy. None of these tests relates to headaches or a brain tumor. You mentioned an MRI of the head 2 years ago. So it's unlikely you have a tumor.

Reply

Thanks for the reassurance. Since my MRI was done in 2007, do you think I should get another, or would that baseline be suffice? I know absolutely nothing about brain tumors or their symptoms, but could assume that the symptoms are similar.

Answer

I would not get another brain MRI now. I strongly suspect that your headaches are migraines and you deserve a trial treatment for them.

Reply

Okay, I will discuss this with my neurologist. Again, I truly, truly, thank you for being so patient with me. You have given me more time than any Primary Care Physician that I have seen since getting out of the military. Thank you. Ann

Accepted Answer

You are welcome. If I have helped , please tap the ACCEPT button so I get credit for my answers.

Related Health Questions

Gender: Female
Age: 42

Already Tried:
Went to PP today and he stated that I may have "trigeminal neuralgia"; however, when I looked up the symptoms, what I am experiencing, does not match. I had a physical performed 2 weeks ago and everything came back fine, with the exception, my iron is low.