Sudden headache (WORRIED) :(

Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone can offer advice. I'm 18, for the past week I've had a headache on my forehead/left temple and it's not gone away.
I never get headaches and this is the first proper one Ive ever had which is why Im worried.

The pain is dull and comes and goes. I've not had any other symptoms - vomiting etc. At first I thought it was perhaps my sinuses, as my nose was blocked (also pain behind eyes), and muscle pains with sneezing but all of these symptoms have now gone.

I am notorious for worrying, and I know that won't help but  I am really scared it could be a brain tumour..

I had an eyetest last thursday to get glasses (i wear lenses all of the time) and the optician didn't mention any abnormalities then. Would she have seen anything?

I can't get a doctors appointment until Thursday so I would appreciate any feedback.

P.S. When I go to the drs I am worried that they will just say it is a migraine and to go home...but I have had it  for so long,and Im really scared.

[rumpled]

You did the right think by scheduling an appointment.
The eye doctor can pick up a lot and if the doctor was halfway decent, they can pick up a lot by looking at the optic nerve so if she did not see anything, So that should be one step in the right direction.

The doctor should not say migraine and send you home - you should be treated (after evaluation, of course). If you are not treated, see another doctor. Brain tumors are rare and that is not going to be the first thing the doc things and they will do some tests and if you are normal, you can stop worrying. There is a migraine community here - why not stop over there and ask questions?

[mademoiselle133]

I went to the Drs on Thurs and described my symptoms to him. He didn't check my eyes/head and said it sounded like my sinuses were blocked due to the headache being on my forehead and prescribed me anti-biotics. I still have to collect the anti-biotics as he told me to try the steaming technique to see if it cleared my nose.

I mentioned how I had noticed the difference in my eye/ that hyperthyroidism runs in my family. He said to book another appointment to get blood taken so that they could check me.

I'm still slightly worried as the headache has now moved to the left of my head more and is no longer focussed on my forehead.

[spitfire2]

Have you thought maybe about seeing a neurologist?  Do you have any other symptoms, like seizures or anything....is your headache worse in the morning?  Not to scare you any more, but if your condition doesn't improve, I would see a neurologist.  Seizures--or a chronic headache--can be symptoms of a brain tumor.   They might order an MRI, just to check.  Again, don't mean to scare you any more.  In any case, don't worry about what others think--your gut feeling is always right.  

[rumpled]

Did the  antibiotics help at all?
You may have to be persistent. Why do you have to make another appointment to check the thyroid - why not do it then and there? Thyroid issues should not wait - especially if you have grave's type eye issues - what the?

Can you go to another doctor - an endo, a neuro for the headaches and get a new pcp?

Brain tumors are rare - so I would rather think migraines etc but still - just the fact that the doc did not test an obvious thyroid issue... if you have one - report him to the medical boards.

[mademoiselle133]

Because I just registered with the DRs (moved city for uni) they didn't have my medical history or NHS number. He told me to wait a week to make an appointment to get blood taken/antibodies checked because results could get mixed up apparently.

He seemed to talk a lot more about the thyroid issue than the headache - showed a bit more concern and was very keen to get me tested for it. I'm getting blood taken etc on Wed.

The headache keeps going from forehead to left side and is driving me crazy. Its only day 4 of anti-biotics so hard to tell yet. However when I shower the steam seems to clear my nose up.

Spoke to my god-mother  who is a nurse told her my symptoms - shakey (shaky) hands, eyes, headache, upset stomach,eating more  but i weigh 7stone 3 (always been underweight) and she said it sounds like hyperthyroidism.
She asked if I knew what my blood pressure is as that can cause headaches but its not been checked  since Dec (getting depo injection)and it was perfectly normal  then.

Hopefully nothing serious...still worrried though.

[rumpled]

I hope they get to the bottom of the thyroid.

Try taking a bowl of salted water, heat it (microwave or stove) and hang your head over it with a towel over your head to keep the steam in. Use that to clear your sinuses as needed and see if that helps your head at all.

Hopefully the next doc will test you better and the headache case will be resolved.

[mademoiselle133]

Update.

Had the DRs today to get my blood taken - she said the results should be back within 5 days.

Meanwhile, over the past few days I have been feeling  extremely emotional/crying can this be caused by hyperthyroidism? It is  like I have really bad pms (except I am on depo provera) so it's not that.

[rumpled]

Any hormonal imbalance plus the stress of waiting for news would make anyone emotional! Take it easy on yourself.
My hormones make me weepy - some shows or commercials really get to me.

[mademoiselle133]

Hi

I got my results back today... I had to phone up for them, the woman on the phone said that they were 'satisfactory' and that is all.
What exactly does 'satisfactory' mean when it comes to blood test results?

My headache has now gone.

[rumpled]

Er, satisfactory means nothing! I want numbers! I want numbers!
Glad the headache is gone - ask them to mail you a copy or let you pick up a copy.
Pffftt...