headache

[BUCIE]

I am 52 this August.  I had my 2nd or 3rd out of this world headache, about 3 weeks ago.  It woke me up out of a sound sleep, and i iced the back of my head, and took two aspirin for the pain (all i had for pain in the house). The other 2-3 times the headaches happened, it was the same. They came for NO reason at all.  I have never really had headaches to speak of in my life.  These hurt so bad, I was scared, and needed ice, and felt helpless like they brought me to my knees with severe pain.  The worst headaches I have ever had in my life.

My question is this.  Should I worry too much about this? I have had bloodwork done at a cardiologist office recently (since I take stimulant meds. for ADHD), and the blood is fine for LDL, triglycerides, etc.  I just don't know, when I get one of these again, if I should go to the ER.  I in fact went to ER the 2nd time I had one, cause I was so scared (my husband took me), and the wait was sooooo long that I gave up after 4 hours. By then, my problems headache went away (of course, I took 2 aspirin).

Is there a test I should demand from the cardio doc. He already said he would not perform a heart cath test because of risks, and said to get a heartscan ct.  but, will the heartscan tell why i got, and am sure will get again (these bad headaches)?

Should I go to a neurologist?

[Celeste77]

I would make an appointment with an Neurologist. Unless the meds are contributing to the headaches and were prescribed by the Cardiologist, there's probably very little he would do anyway besides referring you to someone who specializes in that field.
I'm a long time sufferer of Classic, Coital Cephalgia, Acephalgic (optical) migraines, along with occasional bouts of cluster and tension headaches.
With each new "headache"  I developed, I was thoroughly checked out with an MRI/MRA to ensure it wasn't something more sinister. Anything that comes on like a "thunderclap", or wakes you up from a deep sleep and "brings you to your knee's" as you said, needs further evalution. Please try not to panic though, 90% of all headaches are benign in nature and very often you can find things that trigger them making it easier to alleviate or nip them in the bud early on.

Best wishes.

[Jack54]

I was taking Topamax (dopamax) for headaches until it begin to cause problems with my eyesight. I had to stop it, but I still take it occasionally.

Bucie, get an MRI of your brain. You could have arterial blockages. I have them. If you have strange feelings along with these headaches, then you could be at risk for a stroke. Not to scare you, but it is true. First I would check the side affects of all of my medications. Good luck

[Celeste77]

I haven't been able to try some of the newer Triptans or Ergots because of past history of seizures, kidney stones, arrhythmias.
Like you, I took an anti-seizure med, but I took Depokote rather then the Top.
The side-effects got worse then the migraine itself (dizziness, vomiting), so I quit taking them over 15 years ago.
Nowadays,  I use regular aspirin and once in a blue moon, Talwin injections. (opioid narcotic)

Just wondering, I know you had some blockages/Stents in your heart, do you have blockages in your brain as well? My moms MRI showed calcification in her carotoid arteries and she hasn't been back to follow up yet.

Best wishes.

[Jack54]

Yes I have small vessel disease from arteriosclerosis amd it affects my brain as well as my heart. Probably kidneys, liver, big toe etc :)

Best to you.