Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Neurology (Expert Forum)
Orthostatic Headache connected to Blood Pressure
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Orthostatic Headache connected to Blood Pressure
by jayree, May 17, 2004 12:00AM
My daughter had scoliosis surgery, successful, then developed syncope and Orthostatic Intolerance. Dealt with that using Midodrine, but soon developed chronic headache. Got dehydrated twice due to stomach problems from medications during the recovery time. Due to the orthostatic symptoms, the neurologist diagnosed spontaneous CSF leak and recommended bed rest. The rods in her back make an MRI virtually useless, so the leak has not been located. The headache does not completely resolve with bed-rest, so it doesn't quite fit the CSF headache profile.
She is taking Midodrine for the blood pressure but nothing phases the headache, so she is not taking anything for it. She has now had a headache for four months with varying severity. She has missed most of her school, but managed to do some work at home. She is better in the afternoon and evening.
She still gets dizzy and fainty or nearly faints, gets sweaty, sometimes due to the low blood pressure, and is especially susceptible just prior to her period. Her headache gets worse after one of these near fainting spells. Also, when she is startled awake, her headache gets severe immediately and takes about 4 hours of bed-rest to calm down to a tolerable state.
She can't work, and can't go to school full time. College is being put off until we solve this problem.
We have a lumbar puncture with nuclear isotope injection scheduled for next week to try to locate a leak if there is one, but don't feel real comfortable having it done if the headache is connected to the blood pressure and not the CSF.
Any ideas?
She is taking Midodrine for the blood pressure but nothing phases the headache, so she is not taking anything for it. She has now had a headache for four months with varying severity. She has missed most of her school, but managed to do some work at home. She is better in the afternoon and evening.
She still gets dizzy and fainty or nearly faints, gets sweaty, sometimes due to the low blood pressure, and is especially susceptible just prior to her period. Her headache gets worse after one of these near fainting spells. Also, when she is startled awake, her headache gets severe immediately and takes about 4 hours of bed-rest to calm down to a tolerable state.
She can't work, and can't go to school full time. College is being put off until we solve this problem.
We have a lumbar puncture with nuclear isotope injection scheduled for next week to try to locate a leak if there is one, but don't feel real comfortable having it done if the headache is connected to the blood pressure and not the CSF.
Any ideas?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, May 22, 2004 12:00AM
Low blood pressure should not cause a headache. However, patients on midodrine can have high blood pressure when they lie down. An elevated BP can cause a headache. Therefore, her BP should be checked after she has been in the lying position for a period of time. A MRI of the brain should be able to be completed to exclude abnormalities within the brain. If it is done with contrast, this may show changes consistent with persistent CSF leak, even if it is in the spinal area. The isotope study will also be useful.
In addition, your daughter has other symptoms of autonomic dysfunction, and this should be evaluated. It would be reasonable to have a second opinion at an academic institution, hopefully one with a headache and autonomic specialist. If you are in the area we have a good headache center and an autonomic specialist. Unfortunately, without examining her and reviewing her tests, I can not be more specific. Good luck.
In addition, your daughter has other symptoms of autonomic dysfunction, and this should be evaluated. It would be reasonable to have a second opinion at an academic institution, hopefully one with a headache and autonomic specialist. If you are in the area we have a good headache center and an autonomic specialist. Unfortunately, without examining her and reviewing her tests, I can not be more specific. Good luck.
There is also some more info at www.ndrf.org. Good luck. I will say after 5 years and over 50 meds I take pain meds for my headaches and that is all that works. Although I have found many meds that make it worse. My worse days are the two before my period. Good luck. kristin