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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Multiple Symptoms
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
Multiple Symptoms
by sabie, Jul 14, 2006 12:00AM
Brief History: I am a 28 year old female who has always suffered from headaches. Sometimes my headaches get so bad that I went and had tests done. Nov. 2003 MRI/MRA with and without contrast performed everything normal, April 2005 CT scan done normal, Feb 2006 eye doctor appointment and everything normal.
However, the minor headaches I am having now are accompanied with some other symptoms that I have never had before. Weakness in right arm/wrist, extreme discomfort in left side of neck along with pain, short term memory lapses, loss of balance, urge to vomit (but nothing yet) and ringing in left ear. I am also 21 weeks pregnant so I don't know if any of these symptoms are related to that.
I was wondering if anyone has any idea what could be causing these symptoms. I am very worried about a brain tumor but I try and ease myself since all the tests I have had always come back negative. Plus, I didn't know since I had a CT scan done 14 months ago if a tumor could develop and cause these type of symptoms that quickly. Please help!
Twice I was awoken from my sleep because of pressure in my head (like a tingling sensation)!
However, the minor headaches I am having now are accompanied with some other symptoms that I have never had before. Weakness in right arm/wrist, extreme discomfort in left side of neck along with pain, short term memory lapses, loss of balance, urge to vomit (but nothing yet) and ringing in left ear. I am also 21 weeks pregnant so I don't know if any of these symptoms are related to that.
I was wondering if anyone has any idea what could be causing these symptoms. I am very worried about a brain tumor but I try and ease myself since all the tests I have had always come back negative. Plus, I didn't know since I had a CT scan done 14 months ago if a tumor could develop and cause these type of symptoms that quickly. Please help!
Twice I was awoken from my sleep because of pressure in my head (like a tingling sensation)!
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH, Jul 14, 2006 12:00AM
Please keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes only. From the symptoms you describe it is possible that you are having migraine headaches.
When patients present with new headaches, neurologists first examine for secondary causes of headache such as tumors, pseudo-tumor cerebri (increased intracranial pressure), strokes/hemorrhages and vascular malformations. Since you have normal imaging in the past suggests that it is unlikely that you have a secondary cause for your headache. Tumors typically are present for years before they grow large enough to cause headaches and it would be unusual to develop in 14 months.
If the work up for secondary headaches is negative then neurologist examine for primary headache disorders. Migraine headaches are very variable, but can generally involve throbbing headache pain, photophobia (lights bother eyes), phonophobia (sounds bother you), nausea and worsening of headaches with movement. These headaches can also be associated with auras of flashing lights, confusional episodes and stroke like syndromes (weakness, sensory loss on one side of the body). This may explain the your headaches, associated with nausea and memory lapses and the weakness in the right arm/wrist.
Another explaination for the weakness in your right wrist could be carpal tunnel syndrome, since carpal tunnel is very common in pregnant women.
The symptoms of loss of balance, tinnitus (ringing in the ear) and neck pain may indicate a inner ear infection (often caused by a virus).
It is difficult to re-image women who are pregnant due to the possible risk to the unborn baby. (although safety studies are not available for MRI, it is generally used if imaging is needed.)
When your neurologist decides to repeat your MRI of the brain (probably after the baby is born) you might ask him to include a MRV (MRI venogram-examines the veins) and an MRI of your cervical spine.
There are many medications used for migraine headaches, but less are available to you during pregnancy.
I would reccomend that you see a neurologist who has expertise in headaches. Such as a member of a headache center. I hope this has been helpful.
When patients present with new headaches, neurologists first examine for secondary causes of headache such as tumors, pseudo-tumor cerebri (increased intracranial pressure), strokes/hemorrhages and vascular malformations. Since you have normal imaging in the past suggests that it is unlikely that you have a secondary cause for your headache. Tumors typically are present for years before they grow large enough to cause headaches and it would be unusual to develop in 14 months.
If the work up for secondary headaches is negative then neurologist examine for primary headache disorders. Migraine headaches are very variable, but can generally involve throbbing headache pain, photophobia (lights bother eyes), phonophobia (sounds bother you), nausea and worsening of headaches with movement. These headaches can also be associated with auras of flashing lights, confusional episodes and stroke like syndromes (weakness, sensory loss on one side of the body). This may explain the your headaches, associated with nausea and memory lapses and the weakness in the right arm/wrist.
Another explaination for the weakness in your right wrist could be carpal tunnel syndrome, since carpal tunnel is very common in pregnant women.
The symptoms of loss of balance, tinnitus (ringing in the ear) and neck pain may indicate a inner ear infection (often caused by a virus).
It is difficult to re-image women who are pregnant due to the possible risk to the unborn baby. (although safety studies are not available for MRI, it is generally used if imaging is needed.)
When your neurologist decides to repeat your MRI of the brain (probably after the baby is born) you might ask him to include a MRV (MRI venogram-examines the veins) and an MRI of your cervical spine.
There are many medications used for migraine headaches, but less are available to you during pregnancy.
I would reccomend that you see a neurologist who has expertise in headaches. Such as a member of a headache center. I hope this has been helpful.
Member Comments (2)
by zzzzzzzzzz, Jul 14, 2006 12:00AM
Try not to worry. as far as I'm aware, pregnancy hormones can make things loosen up round your spine (I had a problem with this when pregnant) and the fact that you have neck pain, surely would suggest a possible neck misalignment. Its amazing what symptoms a neck problem can cause - especially head pressure and headaches. I think it would be worth getting your neck checked out by a physical therapist or an osteopath. But of course, I'm no doctor, so it will be interesting to see what the forum Dr says. Good luck.
