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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Am I too young for this?
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
Am I too young for this?
by ipjanet, Jun 08, 2004 12:00AM
I've had a headache approx constantly for 2 months - RT side of my head, temple area. I have a tender lump on my temple, and the tenderness is approx proportional to the intensity of the headache at any given time. It hurts to wear glasses. If I sleep on the RT side of my head (where the lump is), then when I wake up it feels like my RT eye has been under pressure all night. MRI and blood tests were normal. My neuro diagnosed cluster headaches, but I don't think he understood the importance of the lump to the pain, due to a language barrier. I've made an appointment with another neuro, hopefully with better English, in one week. Recently, I've begun having stabbing pains in my temple and sometimes ear, and my upper cheek often aches as though with nerve pain. I saw an ENT for chronic sinusitis, and he recommended I have the neuro check for temporal arteritis. From what I've read, this seems like the most likely explanation, except that I'm only 32, so this would be rare. I should probably also mention that at the end of last year, I had 4 episodes of what appeared to be classic migraine auras (neuro's diagnosis), but without the headache. They started with a spot in the RT side of my vision that would grow to almost completely fill the RT side of my FOV (couldn't see my hand in front of my face). Numbness in my hand crawled up my arm and then my tongue went numb, and my eyes were very sensitive to light. No episodes since. Could these have actually been TIAs? Should I have a TA biopsy? If I did have TA, what is the probability of Takayasu's? Thanks.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Jun 12, 2004 12:00AM
Without seeing you, examining you, and reviewing your tests, I can not recommend any particular procedure, or make an accurate diagnosis. If temporal arteritis is a concern some blood tests looking for inflammation and auto-immune diseases can be checked, however as you have already stated this would be unlikely given your age. The symptoms you described could have been a migraine aura, however vascular causes may need to be excluded. A MRI of the brain with a MR angiogram would be helpful to evaluate for structural damage. Temporal arteritis (Giant cell arteritis) and Takayasu's are different diseases. See what the second neurologist says, and ask him/her if they think this could be temporal arteritis. However, until you see the neurologist, if you develop new neurologic symptoms, or visual complaints you should be evaluated immediately, most likely in a ER. Good luck.
Member Comments (5)
by ipjanet, Jun 08, 2004 12:00AM
I know this probably won't be read by the doctor, but just in case I thought I'd add it. I've also had a lot of muscle soreness in the RT side of my neck and my shoulder.
by Kayla99, Jun 14, 2004 12:00AM
Interesting..your symptoms sound a lot like mine. (I'm also 32)I get stabbing pains on the left side of my head, my temple used to be extremely sore (felt like someone punched me), only now I just feel a tightness. I get bouts of tingling on my left side, usually accompanied by redness in my left eye and slight memory problems. The pain also radiates into my face and cheek at times. Then it clears up after a few weeks. I've seen 2 neurologists, an ENT, Cardiologist, orthopedist (for c-spine MRI) and no one has found anything wrong with me. I've had CT's, MRI,MRA, dopplers, EEG's..list goes on. Very frustrating..They say possibly migraines, but no one has anything definitive. I also wonder if it could be TIA's, and that is SCARY being so young..
by Momabear, Jun 18, 2004 12:00AM
I'm 32 years of age. About two months ago, I had some dental work on me. Now when I chew or yawn my jaw locks and it at times very painful, also am hearing pop noises when I yawn...Two weeks later I started to experience sharp shooting pain in my RT upper part of my skull, sometimes the pain travels to the back of my head..I went to the doctors, and she noticed that my neck and shoulder is swollen. She gave me something for the pain, but doesn't seem to help out. I'm also experiencing in RT ear ringing sounds.
by Allycatco, Jun 25, 2004 12:00AM
To: Momabear
I had symptoms like that, my doctor sent me to a dentist, a tmj specialist. I have not been able to open my jaw for a year now all the . I get ear aches, and the popin in ear as well as buzzing, so it might help you to go see a tmj specilist. I hope this helps.
