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Dull Pain, Pressure, Fatique
For over 4 months now I have been experiencing a dull to sharp pain in the upper left portion of my head. This is generally a constant pain accompanied with a buildup of pressure in the head that leaves me exhausted at times. It tends to build up towards evening and through the night but can be there in the morning at times. I have had a CT,MRA and CTA scan. The MRA showed a possible aneurysm and poor blood flow in that area of my brain. The CT and CTA were negative. My doctor has chosen to ignore the MRA and has prescribed Migraine meds. Which I refuse to take because I do not have Migraines. She also wanted to send me to a Migraine clinic, which asked alot of questions related to migraines, light and sound sensetivity etc. Which do not apply to my symptoms. I also have ringing in my left hear that the doctors are ignoring also. I also have pain in my lower left leg at times. I cannot help but believe that this all is related to blood flow but cannot get my doctor to even consider my suggestions. Any thoughts or suggestions would help. I would like to find a doctor that understands these kinds of symptoms and does give up so easily.
Thank you for your comments. I have to say that using the term "Headache" is a not an accurate way to describe my pain. It would be like describeing the pain of a broken leg using the term "stiffness". The issue that seems to get overlooked by the doctors is the pressure buildup and the related sense of heavyness and fatiuge. When the pressure builds towards evenings it seems that any added pressure to my body, such as a full stomach or bladder seems to add to the overall pressure. These symptoms and feelings that I experience are not like any other I have ever had. I have experienced headaches like anyone else but these are pain in a very specific spot in my head.
The Migraine clinic only wanted to ask questions related to migraines symptoms and when it was clear I did not have those symptoms they said I was not an appropriate patient. All of this is very frustrating.
The Migraine clinic only wanted to ask questions related to migraines symptoms and when it was clear I did not have those symptoms they said I was not an appropriate patient. All of this is very frustrating.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.
Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.
There are several causes of headaches. Headaches can be divided into primary and secondary. Primary headache disorders are headaches without a direct cause. These include migraines (which I won’t mention much here). These are diagnosed after secondary causes have been excluded. Secondary headache disorders are due to an underlying problem, there are many many causes but some include medication side effects, systemic illness, nervous system infection, tumors, bleeds in the brain or clots in the veins of the brain, and others.
If you are older than the age of 55, one potential cause of one sided headahce is called giant cell arteritis or temporal arteritis. This is due to an inflammation in the temporal artery and other arteries in the body. Symptoms include one sided headache pain in the temple and jaw that may be triggered by chewing. This condition can be diagnosed by a blood test called an ESR and a biopsy of the artery. It is very important to rule this diagnosis out as it is highly treatable and if left untreated it can lead to vision loss. It is exceedingly rare in people younger than 55, and is more common in even older age groups.
Another potential cause of one sided headache is inflammation or arthritis of the temporo-mandiublar joint, commonly called the TMJ. This can sometimes occur due to bruxism, biting down at night or during the day, and other stresses to the joint. This is best diagnosed/managed by an orthodontist or an ENT, and treatment includes braces and other dental fixtures and sometimes muscle relaxants, depending on the exact cause.
You should continue following up with the headache clinic. CTAs and MRAs are not perfect tests and there can be false-positives and/or false-negatives. You should discuss with your physicians your concerns about a possible vascular etiology.
Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.
Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.
There are several causes of headaches. Headaches can be divided into primary and secondary. Primary headache disorders are headaches without a direct cause. These include migraines (which I won’t mention much here). These are diagnosed after secondary causes have been excluded. Secondary headache disorders are due to an underlying problem, there are many many causes but some include medication side effects, systemic illness, nervous system infection, tumors, bleeds in the brain or clots in the veins of the brain, and others.
If you are older than the age of 55, one potential cause of one sided headahce is called giant cell arteritis or temporal arteritis. This is due to an inflammation in the temporal artery and other arteries in the body. Symptoms include one sided headache pain in the temple and jaw that may be triggered by chewing. This condition can be diagnosed by a blood test called an ESR and a biopsy of the artery. It is very important to rule this diagnosis out as it is highly treatable and if left untreated it can lead to vision loss. It is exceedingly rare in people younger than 55, and is more common in even older age groups.
Another potential cause of one sided headache is inflammation or arthritis of the temporo-mandiublar joint, commonly called the TMJ. This can sometimes occur due to bruxism, biting down at night or during the day, and other stresses to the joint. This is best diagnosed/managed by an orthodontist or an ENT, and treatment includes braces and other dental fixtures and sometimes muscle relaxants, depending on the exact cause.
You should continue following up with the headache clinic. CTAs and MRAs are not perfect tests and there can be false-positives and/or false-negatives. You should discuss with your physicians your concerns about a possible vascular etiology.
Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.
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