Intense throbbing pain in head while straining

For the last two months I have been getting the worst throbbing pain in the top of my head when I strain, laughing, coughing, and having a bowel movement.  It's recently even began to happen when I get up to quickly or turn my head to quickly.  The pain only lasts up to 20 seconds but during those 20 seconds I feel like I am going to die.  It's like an intense painful heartbeat in my head.  Last week I was having a bowel movement and the pain came on so strong that it knocked me off the toilet and on the floor, writhing in pain.  This time it lasted a full 10 minutes.  If I would have had my phone with me, I would have called for an ambulance.  But around 10 minutes and it just stopped and I was fine.  I went to the Urgent Care and was there maybe 5 minutes and they rushed me to the ER.  The Dr was afraid it was an anuerysm.  So I had an MRI and an MRA done.  Both came back clear.  So I followed up with my regular Dr this week and he set me up an appointment with a neurologist.  I am really scared, even though the pain doesn't last long, it is extremely intense and is happening 8-10 times a day.  Does anyone have any experience with anything like this?

[Gio77Italy]

looks like there's a connection with Blood Pressure. maybe not the origin of the problem but the pain must be triggered by sudden changes in BP or vascular problem somewhere.

[Threewheelmobile]

Please don not make yourself scared now. You should worry about if after being thoroughly checked out. Do you have high-blood pressure? It could be that you just need some blood thinners.
The more you worry the worse it may get.
I do but in my case it comes from a problem that only occurs in over 200000 patience or more.
Relax as much as possible . Avoid fatty foods and salt.

[les7699]

Nope my blood pressure is great.  80/60 everytime I'm checked.

[Gio77Italy]

if it happens when you get up too quick that makes me think of Orthostatic hypotension.

it doesn't mean that you have a problem with blood pressure but normal changes in blood pressure, vascular pressure are triggering the pain when you get up quick or exert.

did you have other symptoms preceding this problem? loose stool, allergy-like symptoms, pain in ears / face, paresthesia, bladder symptoms?
  

[les7699]

Nothing.  This came out of nowhere.  Yesterday I was feeling lightheaded when I stood up and I was scared it was connected.  Then found out the 2 people I live with were feeling the same way so I theno we just have a touch of something.

[Gio77Italy]

interesting, also in my family and friends everyone got sick simultaneously but i seem to be the only one to have notice because they blame different conditions for the symptoms. that's why I asked if there were indirect signs of infection. I'm researching on a possible viral almost asymptomatic flu that is giving unexplained neurological symptoms.

[sara12345]

The fact that the MRI and MRA came out okay should give you relief that you most likely do not have anything serious going wrong, except for the pain of course.  So I would not worry.

Your blood pressure is great at 80/60??  That's very low on the top number. I am very lightheaded when I do anything when my blood pressure is higher than yours but under 90.  My neurologist would not do my nerve block injections when my top number was 86.  He said it was too low.  And sometiimes even when my blood pressure is under 100, I will have problems.  

I think that you are doing the right thing by seeing a neurologist.  Maybe a prophylactic daily migraine medicine can help you.  Please let me know what the neurologist comes up with for you.

Good luck to you.

Sara

[Gio77Italy]

that's right 80/60 is pretty low for an adult

[les7699]

I have always run low. One time it was 50/30.  The Dr couldn't believe I wasn't dizzy or lightheaded.  I felt fine.

[les7699]

Well after all these months, I have an answer.  I have a chiari malformation.  I am going for decompression surgery in December.

[Gio77Italy]

Good Luck!

[sara12345]

Thanks so much for letting us know.  At least you have an answer. Sometimes people have migraines daily with no end in sight.  Wish you the best with your surgery.