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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Conversion Disorder or Brain Tumor?
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Conversion Disorder or Brain Tumor?
by sinnequan, Jun 13, 2001 12:00AM
I am a 28-year old female who has been treated for severe OCD since I was 17. I have always been preoccupied with dying, disease, and pulling out my hair (trichotillomania). I have been on myriads of medications-- and nothing really helps. Well, on Mother's Day, I had a terrible reaction to the drug Trilafon (the first time i took it) and ended up in the ER. I don't have any insurance so this is a problem. After that, I stopped taking my Sinnequan because it was making me feel funny and I thought I might have a seizure/convulsion-- though I do not have a history of such things. Since then, I have been to doctors who cannot diagnose a UTI-- and will only give me fiorcet for my headaches saying it is stress. The headaches are only on the left side of my head and are constant-- they are also accompanied by mild nausea sometimes. Sometimes the headaches are not that bad, sometimes they are dibilitating. Sometimes the Fiorcet helps-- sometimes it doesn't. When I wake up, the headache is gone... but after a few hours, it is back. It usually gets worse at night. I had had similar headaches (without the nausea) before and the Sinniquan seemed to erradicate them... but I am scared to take the anti-depressants. I am having no other neurological symptoms... though I am having symptoms of a UTI and NOTHING ever shows up-- I just have this intense itching there... and the doctors don't even want to see me now-- not that it matters cause I cannot afford to go. Do you think this headache sounds like a brain tumor or unruptured blood clot? I have had no numbness-- just constant pain on the left side of my head (for four days now)... I don't have sensivity to light or anything-- and have been diagnosed with depression and severe OCD-- further, 8 days ago, my gynecologist increased the strenght of my birth control pill to ortho novum 150. where do i need to go? neurologist? GP? psychiatrist? gynecologist? I AM TERRIFIED I AM DYING!!!!!!! My head hurts-- and I just know it is a tumor... or worse... My psychiatrist is no help, really--- cause he knows I am financially in a mess (i am on disability for OCD-- but don't qualify for medicaid or anything)... Could I be convinced psychologically that this is a tumor-- so, i keep getting the headaches?
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Jun 14, 2001 12:00AM
, Jun 14, 2001 12:00AM
There is no way I can make a diagnosis at this distance, but from everything you have said I would think that this a psychologicial rather than a neurological issue, and psychotherapy is your best bet to get over this hump in your life.
I think you should stop all the meds you are on because it is obvious they are not working. You sound like you have a major anxiety disorder. Klonopin would do you good. Take Mmotrin for then headaches. Migraignes are said to be on one side of the head often, maybe that is what you are having. Tthe meds are strong though and may cause anxiety. Why not get your psych doc to try you on 1 mg of Klonopin every six hours and see how that works for you. That may be too strong and make you tired. You may want only 1 or 2 mg Klonopin before going to sleep. It may do wonders.
Sometimes. meds can cause headaches and other side effects. maybe your birth control or other stuff is causing the headbangers.
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