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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Concern
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
Concern
by FAITHCG, Oct 17, 2006 12:00AM
I have been having headaches lasting all day every day also having flashing lights in my eyes constantly. It started in my right eye first & now it is occuring in both eyes lasting all day with the headache. I did go to a eye doctor to see if it could be problems with my eyes but they indictated that everything was fine. Could there be a issue going on in my head?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH, Oct 24, 2006 12:00AM
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.
The symptoms you describe are consistent with migraine headaches. These headaches are often accompanied by an aura (that can occur before, after, and/or during the headache). The Aura is most typically visual with flashing lights, squiggly lines and sometimes visual loss. The headache itself is generally unilateral (on one side) pulsating/throbbing/pounding and very severe. Associated symptoms often include photophobia (lights hurt the eyes), phonophobia (sounds make headache worse), nausea/vomiting, and worsening with movement/activity. Migraine headaches are typically episodic and occur anywhere from 1-2 times per week to 1-2 ties per year, but when uncontrolled they can transform into daily headaches. There is a variety of medications used for migraine headaches Triptans (Relpax, Zomig, Imitrex, Frova, Amerge, Maxalat, etc.), antiinflammatory drugs are also helpful (indocin, ibprofen, toradol). Some headaches require a different approach and Zyprexa and Seroquel are often helpful in refractory cases. There are also a number migraine preventative medications such as Elavil, topamax, nadolol, etc. that are taken daily. Patients with daily migraine headaches often reuire some IV infusions to break their headache cycle before they can get control again. This IV regime is Depakote 500mg IV, Magnesium 2 grams IV, Phenergan 25mg IV, +/- DHE, Solumedrol 1 gram IV, Toradol 30mg IV; given once daily for 3-5 days.
Another possiblity is that you are having seizures (focal seizures) arising from the occipital lobes (in the back of the brain). This causes primary color light shows or hallucinations of formed objects if in the parietal lobes (although I think this is much less likely than migraines).
I would recommend an MRI of your Brain to evaluate for a structural lesion(tumor, AVM, etc-which can also cause migraine type headaches) with GAD contrast. I would also recommend a routine EEG to evaluate for seizure activity. I would then start one of the migraine medications suggested above and follow-up with your neurologist.
I hope this has been helpful.
The symptoms you describe are consistent with migraine headaches. These headaches are often accompanied by an aura (that can occur before, after, and/or during the headache). The Aura is most typically visual with flashing lights, squiggly lines and sometimes visual loss. The headache itself is generally unilateral (on one side) pulsating/throbbing/pounding and very severe. Associated symptoms often include photophobia (lights hurt the eyes), phonophobia (sounds make headache worse), nausea/vomiting, and worsening with movement/activity. Migraine headaches are typically episodic and occur anywhere from 1-2 times per week to 1-2 ties per year, but when uncontrolled they can transform into daily headaches. There is a variety of medications used for migraine headaches Triptans (Relpax, Zomig, Imitrex, Frova, Amerge, Maxalat, etc.), antiinflammatory drugs are also helpful (indocin, ibprofen, toradol). Some headaches require a different approach and Zyprexa and Seroquel are often helpful in refractory cases. There are also a number migraine preventative medications such as Elavil, topamax, nadolol, etc. that are taken daily. Patients with daily migraine headaches often reuire some IV infusions to break their headache cycle before they can get control again. This IV regime is Depakote 500mg IV, Magnesium 2 grams IV, Phenergan 25mg IV, +/- DHE, Solumedrol 1 gram IV, Toradol 30mg IV; given once daily for 3-5 days.
Another possiblity is that you are having seizures (focal seizures) arising from the occipital lobes (in the back of the brain). This causes primary color light shows or hallucinations of formed objects if in the parietal lobes (although I think this is much less likely than migraines).
I would recommend an MRI of your Brain to evaluate for a structural lesion(tumor, AVM, etc-which can also cause migraine type headaches) with GAD contrast. I would also recommend a routine EEG to evaluate for seizure activity. I would then start one of the migraine medications suggested above and follow-up with your neurologist.
I hope this has been helpful.
Musculoskeletal System
Joint pain or swelling or tenderness
Stiffness of joints, back, neck
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Early on, experienced a "flu-like" illness, after which you have not since felt well. (If it was mild, you may not even recall this.)
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