explosive headache

[daveogden]

i get a massive explosion type bang in the head getting more often especialy when i am relaxing/sleeping, it wakes me up and seems to start in my chest and explodes in my head leaving me with a nasty headache

[PPNH]

Hello and thank you.  

After the last major brain explosion on October 31 I didn't experience anything again until December when I was awakened from loud noises once a week for the whole month, on the 26th it happened twice in one night. I haven't experienced any loud noises or explosions since then.

In early January I experienced a few brain zaps at night - like my brain was being shocked - but nothing since then. I also haven't suffered a migraine since December and I menstruated twice in January on the 9th and 27th.

On January 18 my neurologist said my EEG was normal and sent me to the lab for blood tests. I had my lab results sent to me and I see that my hemoglobin level is high (15.3) as are my potassium levels (5.3). The high potassium is not new but the high hemoglobin level is.

Yes, I agree that a lumbar tap is the next step and if the explosions and noises return I will follow through with your advice.

In the meantime I''m reading about FLOXING SYNDROME - the toxic adverse effects of taking fluoroquinolones - a class of antibiotics. I took the drug ciprofloxacin a few years ago and wonder if they may have caused my brain explosions and the loud noises.

Also, I wonder if there is a connection between the Methylprednisolone I took for my ear congestion problem and the brain zaps I received around that time. Do you think drugs could be the cause?

Warm regards,

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
I'm sorry to hear that we are again back to square one with the ENT ruling out ear causes. Were you able to experience the symptom lately? And  were you able to go to your neurologist?  Actually, I'd like to think of it that we are not back to start because we now know that  the ear problem is not the cause. This means that we have to focus on neurological causes. This means that consulting the neurologist is the next step. Are you willing to have a lumbar tap done to determine the cause? I think this is the next step in the work-up. Hang on there and we will soon get to the bottom of this. Take care always.

[PPNH]

My EEG was normal and the ENT ruled out inner ear disease. The ENT said there was no way the explosions in my head were related to my ears.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
There are some cases that a diagnostic modality such as MRI could pick up structural problems such as found in the ear or other locations. Ear-related problems usually present with loss of hearing, ear pain, discharge or congestion. The pain could have been referred to the back of your head. And with your menstruation headaches, this was difficult to establish. We were focusing on these headaches that we failed to correlate it with your other symptoms such as tinnitus and hearing loss.  Indeed, direct clinical examination is very important with determining the diagnosis. It is good that the chest x-ray was normal.At least, now we have a clue on the cause of your brain explosions. Do keep us posted with your appointments with the neurologist and ENT doctor. Take care.

[PPNH]

Correction. I did experience pain but not in the ear - it was in the form of muscle tension in the back of my head - I suffered from headaches. I normally never get headaches only migraines that are associated with my cycle.

[PPNH]

Thank you for your response doctor -  you bring up a good point - a point I was questioning myself. Although I've been suffering from tinnitus for a couple of months now I didn't have an ear congestion problem until recently. And you mentioned that an MRI would pick up an ear related problem. Really? Hoping that was my problem may have been wishful thinking on my part.

I've experienced noises so loud they wake me out of a deep sleep about once a week since the last major explosion on October 31.

In early January when the doctor looked into my congested ears and had me plug my nose and blow he said this was more serious than an ear infection. Plus, there would be pain involved if I had an infection, right? I experienced no pain just congestion.

Next week I have an appointment with the neurologist to go over the results of my EEG. In the meantime I'm taking steroids and waiting for a referral to the ENT.

My chest x-ray came back negative which is good.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
It's good to hear from you with,especially with an answer to your brain explosion symptoms. If the  ear infection has been present since November, it really needs to be evaluated by an ENT. I'm just curious why the MRI did not detect any ear related problem during that time. Nevertheless, it is good that there is already an answer to your problem. Take care and do keep us posted. Will be looking forward to your reply.

[PPNH]

Turns out the problem is in my ears. I developed tinnitus and ear congestion so severe I had to go back to the doctor. He's sending me to a ENT (ears, nose, throat) and I'm taking steroids to bring down the inflammation. I hope it's not serious - I already don't hear so well.

[PPNH]

Thank you for your response doctor, your words are comforting and I like your idea of being proactive. Yes, I've read that the choroid cysts are usually found incidentally and there is no cause for concern.

I don't get explosive or thunderclap headaches - just the noise and I'm realizing I've had them before - I just didn't know it was going on inside my head, I thought the noise was external.

My first neurologist said that a lumbar tap would be the next step.

Warm regards,

[Dr Santos]

Hello,
Choroid fissure cysts are usually found incidentally and has no cause for concern. Was there a lumbar tap done in the past? Explosive or thunderclap headaches may mimic symptoms of serious conditions, but studies say that  this is usually benign.  I do understand the stress this is causing you and I know how  hard it can be to be in the dark. Just be proactive about it, have your routine chest x-ray and do update us. Hope to hear fro you soon. Take care always.

[PPNH]

Thank you. I'd feel a whole lot better if someone would figure out what's going on inside my head. I had another incident last night. When I awoke it sounded like a car door slammed - not as explosive as a bomb going off but something definitely is amiss.

I'm taking the advice of someone who is having the same experience in the neurology forum and getting a chest x-ray. My doctor agreed with him that adults should have a chest x-ray done every five years. Also, Daveogden clued me in when he wrote that his explosions seemed to start in his chest. I'm going for the x-ray on Monday.

I received a copy of my MRI & MRA which I couldn't open but the PDF read, "A 9 mm right choroid fissure simple cyst is noted incidentally, unlikely to be of any clinical significance."

Also in my previous note I wrote that the doctor said these explosions were common. when in fact what he said was that he had heard of them and no one knows the cause. I'm sorry, it's the stress.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? It is good that your MRI and MRA are normal. Indeed, several studies have shown the relationship of migraine and hormones. Continue with your medications and do keep us posted with your EEG results. Take care and regards.  

[PPNH]

Good news! I just returned from my second opinion to a neurologist regarding the two brain explosions I experienced in the last couple of months. The second neurologist was a seasoned doctor who was familiar with brain explosions and told me to fear not - although they do not know the cause they were common. I get menstrual migraines and the first doctor prescribed amerge and the second a preventive drug called Frova. My GP had me on percodan. My MRI & MRA came back normal and I'm going for a EEG next. I'll keep posting.

[PPNH]

I've had two brain explosions in the last couple of months. They wake me up in the wee hours of the morning. There are no other symptoms - it just feels like a bomb went off in my head. The MRI & MRA I had were normal. I'm going for a second opinion since my cousin died in her sleep and no one knows why. She experienced brain explosions also, or so I'm told.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

How are you?
Severe headaches which occur during sleep can be due to hypoglycemia. Please make sure you eat your meals on time to avoid low blood sugar. A glass of milk or a fruit before bedtime will prevent hypoglycemia.
Other causes can be cluster headache and brain tumors. Patients with cluster headache are known to frequently wake up from sleep with severe debilitating headache.
This requires further evaluation. Please consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Take care!