Headaches, Dizziness, and more

[Lepusia]

Hi, I am writing because I want your opinion on my current health situation. I've been seeing a doctor for over two weeks now, and there isn't any news of what is wrong with me. Let me explain :

For several months now, I have been having recurring headaches. I didn't see a doc, because well I thought I didn't need too. I was used to having them. Generally, they would go away after having a couple aspirins or sleeping. But in recent weeks, I have been starting to feel extremely dizzy. A little over two weeks ago, I felt so dizzy, I fell down. I didn't faint, just my legs felt weak, let out on me, and I fell. Panicked, I finally went to the doc. She told me my blood pressure was abnormally high. She gaves a pill to take and told me to go see her again in a couple weeks.
I took the pill, and was feeling better the first few days (still feeling a bit dizzy but nothing I couldn't handle). Then like 4 or 5 days later, my headaches started again. My dizziness just became worse day by day, until last Saturday where I almost fell down again. When I went to see her last monday, she told me my blood pressure was doing much better. It was normal and I should continue my blood pressure pill. But I told her my headaches were still there and my dizziness wouldn't leave. My ears also started to hurt.
She checked out my ears, they were perfectly fine but they still hurt now. She took my blood for blood test and told me to see a Neurologist. So I called one, and I have an appointment on October 30th.
During this past week, I was having problems with vision (lights too bright wouldn't help my headaches) and hearing (in the sense, people would speak normally but it felt like three times louder, and it pounded in my head). This happened when I was at work.
This past friday, I went back to her for the blood results. She told me everything was fine. She seemed worried because she didn't know what to look for next. She gave me a bottle to give her a urine sample. I have to bring it back on Monday.

So I am getting checked out, but I was wondering if anyone out there might have a clue of what is wrong with me. Symptoms combined are :
- Major headaches
- Dizziness
- Ears hurting
- Stiff Neck
- Sensitive to light and sound

Now I am suppose to be working, but I can't work because it is bothering me so much. I can't walk further than 5 meters without feeling extremely dizzy. My apartment is dimly lit and the TV stays down low (my brother is being very patient and takes care of me) to prevent me from having anymore headaches than I already have.

So hum... Anyone have ideas ?

Thanks,

Leppy.

[tomsant]

Okay. Best of luck.

Pls post your neurologist's opinion if convenient.

Rgds,

Thomas Antony

[Lepusia]

She hasn't told me anything about my pulse rate. And I don't remember hitting my head at any time. THe only time I hit my head was when I was 3, and had to get stitches. But that was 19 years ago.

As for migraines, I assumed it was that and she would say so right when I first visited her. She hasn't. I think she is waiting for the Neurologist to come up with a verdict.

So I guess until I see the Neurologist, it's just a waiting game. I will post when I have seen him.... If anything, it might help someone who has the same problems as me next time around...

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Thanks for writing in.
It is important to rule out migraine which is characterized by severe throbbing headaches and sensitivity to light, dizziness and neck pain.
Other possibilities are neck issues like cervical spondylitis or cervical disc prolapse which can cause headaches, neck stiffness and dizziness.
At this point it is also important to rule out neurological causes like stroke, meningitis, brain growth and aneurysm so a CT scan or MRI of brain is a must.
Please take OTC pain killers to relieve neck pain and headache. Also make sure your BP is always under control with dietary restriction and medications. Take care!

[tomsant]

In your case, it is difficult to comment without a CT or MRI. Even your hypertension may be due to the same cause that which is responsible for headache. How is your pulse rate? Did the doctor say it was slower than expected?

Did you happen to hit your head in the preceding few months before the onset of headache?

Get well soon!
Best rgds,

Tomsant

[Lepusia]

I hate ERs... I try to avoid them as much as possible... And I am glad that I am seeing a Neurologist too. I can't wait for someone to tell me how to get rid of these headaches and dizziness! (which really disturb my daily activities)

[tomsant]

The headache, maybe the earache, nausea, perceived high intenstiy of light and sound, spinning, neck stiffness all may be related. Maybe the hypertension too.  You are already controlling the BP. You are very young, and I'm sure the neuro will solve the problem, thank God you have an appointment in four days. But I am wondering why you can't report to an emergency room if you have another episode of 'dizziness' before that, and get a work up done? And a CT or MRI?
Best rgds,

Tomsant

[Lepusia]

1.Recurring headaches :
It's all over. Sometimes I have like pressure points on the left side. Then it stops. And a few hours later, I will have like pressure points on the right side.
I do feel sometimes nauseous, and no I don't remember the first time it happened. The real major headaches, like unbearable ones, started beginning of October.

2. Dizzy, :
When I feel dizzy, it's like the world starts spinning before my eyes, and everything seems suddenly blurry. And then my legs feel weak, and I feel like I am about to fall (or in one case, I did fall). I haven't fainted or blacked out so far.

3. BP was high. This can account for the headaches and dizziness. But with adequate  treatment of hypertension the dizziness and headache are persisting. -
This is correct. I got the BP under control but the headaches and dizziness persist.

4. Your ears (both, one presumes) start hurting. You got them checked and found them alright. -
It doesn't feel like it's ringing, or anything, just like it's hurting. Like if someone was pressing a needle or something to have a sharp pain. It lasts only a few minutes, then disappears, and appears again later. And I don't have any fever.

5. In the past week you find that lights are too bright and sounds are too loud. - Correct.

6. Your blood tests are okay. -
Correct. As for the ESR, no idea what it is, but I am assuming it was ok also.

7. You mention a stiff neck as well. -
My neck hurting started just a few days ago. I don't think it's related... but you never know. When I turn my head sideways, it slightly hurts, but it's more painful when bending my head for chin to touch chest (which do not touch because it hurts a bit too much).

8. I am 22 years old, a female, and my periods are regular and fine. I am not diabetic, my doctor checked that up first and I am fine. For tuberculous infection, I don't think I have had it. I'm sure my parents would have told me.
As for my family history, my mom did suffer an aneurysm ... She is today disabled. And my dad died of a heart attack. Both suffered due to high blood pressure...

And thanks, I do hope to get things straighten out by Oct. 30th. I just fear he will tell me : nothing wrong, have a nice day! >_< that is why I wanted an opinion before I went...

[tomsant]

Hi,

Let's go over it once again, to get it simplified.

1.Recurring headaches, (where is the location, how long each time, how frequent, any accompanying features like nausea, vomiting or difficulty in seeing; Do you remember the first episode? What do you think caused it?)

2. Dizzy, a few weeks. (Can you describe it? Do you seem to faint? blackout? or the world goes round and round?)

3. BP was high. This can account for the headaches and dizziness. But with adequate  treatment of hypertension the dizziness and headache are persisting.

4. Your ears (both, one presumes) start hurting. You got them checked and found them alright. (Do you have fever or cold? How's the hearing? Do you hear any ringing sounds in the ears?)

5. In the past week you find that lights are too bright and sounds are too loud.

6. Your blood tests are okay. (Wonder what the ESR was?)

7. You mention a stiff neck as well. (When did it start? Can you bend your neck so that your chin can touch your chest?. Can you turn your head right and left without pain in the neck? Do you have nausea or vomiting? Do you have fever?)

8. Your data is not full without a mention of your age, sex, and if female how the periods are; whether you are a diabetic or not, if you have had tuberculous infection in the past, if your near and dear have had similar illness.

On the whole, your symptoms call for a neurologist's examination. One has to know what his opinion is. Hope you will get the right diagnosis on 30th

Best rgds,

Tomsant