Questions posted in the Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Subject: Re: recurring headache, etc.
Forum: The Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum
Topic Area: Brain Tumor
Posted by CCF Neurology MD - AY on October 05, 1998 at 21:02:31:
In Reply to: recurring headache, etc. posted by paul on October 05, 1998 at 20:41:36:


Greetings:

For the past two weeks I?ve experienced recurring headaches,
all on the left side of my headaches, and varying in type.
The first is a dull ache near the base of my head, almost at the neck.
It is very localized. The second is throbbing/pulsating, and sometimes
moves over my left eye. The headaches occur at all times of day,
and can be as severe in the evening as in the morning.

Additionally, over the past two days my left ear has felt clogged,
and hearing is (very) slightly diminished. Finally, I experienced
severe nausea yesterday evening and this morning, but it has vanished
and my appetite is good.

On Day 10 I was examined by an internist, who felt the cause was migraine,
even though the few migraines I had experienced in the past did not have
the same symptoms (not to mention duration). He prescribed
Amerge (Naratriptan, 2.5 mg), but to no effect.

Any suggestions? Many thanks in advance.

Thanks for your question. Because of the unusual presentation and intensity
of these "new" headaches, a more thorough evaluation is advisable. Given
the symptom localization and the presence a "clogged ear", it is possible
that you have a benign ear infection with substancial "referred pain". However,
one have to keep in mind a more serious cause for your symptoms, such as
a central nervous system lesion. Please discuss with your primary physician
the possibility of a neurological referral, and furthermore the possibility
of an imaging study, such as a MRI scan of brain. Given the lack of response
to triptans it is less likely that your headaches are migraines.

I hope this information is helpful. Best of luck.

This information is provided for general medical education purposes only.
Please consult your doctor regarding diagnostic and treatment options.
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