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Neurology (Expert Forum)
'Headache-like' symptoms & increasing tinnitus -> Acoustic Neuroma?
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'Headache-like' symptoms & increasing tinnitus -> Acoustic Neuroma?
by Maurice__0, Dec 17, 1998 12:00AM
Hi,
(I posted a follow-up, but I think it is overlooked, so here it
is again)
Thanks for your answer. It clarifies a lot, but also gives room for
some more questions as stated below.
(Original message at bottom)
: What you described above certainly sounds like tension type HA.
I forgot to say that I do not feel the cord 'around my head', but
mostly (and sometimes only) on the left side of my head. It really
feels strange (not like headache at all). Furthermore, I have it now
for two months continously. In the morning it seems gone, but just
after a half a minute it starts. I sometimes have the feeling that it
gets a bit worse during the day.
Do these things change your conclusion about tension type HA?
: Tinnitus is non specific and having a normal neuro and ear nose and throat exam with a negative CT is reassuring.
Hmmm, I had the neuro, ent exam before the tinnitus, but the CT
afterwards. The tinnitus seems to get worse during the day, or at least
in the evening. Is that normal for tinnitus?
I read something about Acoustic Neuroma and that it can cause the facial
nerve to transmit pain-like signals to the brain as well, which might
explain the pressure-like sensations I feel in my head. Furthermore,
a high-frequency tone can accompany AN. Can you explain more about AN
and whether the symptoms fit and how to know for sure?
: Buspar is an anti anxiety agent, that works well for some people but not for others. If you think the anxiety is gone, you may want to talk to your doctor and discuss the tapering of the medication.
Ok, I will.
: Try some relaxation technique as this may help as well with tension HA, as well as massage. Yes there are muscles in the scalp, back and front,
: hence the muscle may become tense, contract, some patient claim that they can even feel and see the scalp muscles contraction. I personally can not do that....:-)
Indeed, I can feel it when I raise my eyebrows.
Another question: I am working since 4 months in an air-conditioned
environment (never before), and I am wearing hard (non-disposable) contact
lenses. Could it have anything to do with it?
(The (let's call it) headache felt somewhat better during the Thanksgiving
holidays when we were in Sequoia NP)
Many thanks again!
Maurice
=== Original message ===
:
: Topic Area: Headache
: : Hi,
: : In your reply to "Dave" (12-7-98) much info is given on tension-type headaches. What I find most interesting is that the brain cannot exactly locate the pain. Since almost two months now I have a kind of sensations
: : in my head continously (all day), not really painful, more some form of pressure, not dull and also small size (like a cord). But, to me it seems that I can exactly locate them. They have a kind of 'origin' next to my eye (about 0.75 inch) towards my ear. Could it be that I do feel it there, but that the problem is somewhere else? If so, what are the possibilities?
: : A maybe stupid question: are there muscles on top of the head? (Because I feel some kind of muscle vibrations sometimes in my leg and stomach)
: : Since two weeks I have a really high frequency beep in my ear (continously, also during night), around above 16kHz I guess (I am technical and have a quite high frequency hearing). My neurologist immediately said it is tinnitus, but I find it a very coincidence that it occurs during these other feelings in my head. Can it be related? (I was thinking about some infection in my ear, although my ear/nose are not in pain)
: : I have had a neurlogical exam and a CT-scan (without contrast) both of which are perfect, according to my neurologist. And because I can easily live with the 'headache', he wants to recheck me in January. A few weeks ago (before the scane) he has prescribed me Buspar, because I was anxious. The anxiety is gone, but he still wants me to stay with Buspar for at least six months. What does Buspar do? (Does it solve the headache?)
: : Many thanks for this beautiful service. And don't worry: your posts are never too long winded! (Refer to "CCF MD mdf" reply on Dave's post 12-7-98)
========
this posting has been answered
(I posted a follow-up, but I think it is overlooked, so here it
is again)
Thanks for your answer. It clarifies a lot, but also gives room for
some more questions as stated below.
(Original message at bottom)
: What you described above certainly sounds like tension type HA.
I forgot to say that I do not feel the cord 'around my head', but
mostly (and sometimes only) on the left side of my head. It really
feels strange (not like headache at all). Furthermore, I have it now
for two months continously. In the morning it seems gone, but just
after a half a minute it starts. I sometimes have the feeling that it
gets a bit worse during the day.
Do these things change your conclusion about tension type HA?
: Tinnitus is non specific and having a normal neuro and ear nose and throat exam with a negative CT is reassuring.
Hmmm, I had the neuro, ent exam before the tinnitus, but the CT
afterwards. The tinnitus seems to get worse during the day, or at least
in the evening. Is that normal for tinnitus?
I read something about Acoustic Neuroma and that it can cause the facial
nerve to transmit pain-like signals to the brain as well, which might
explain the pressure-like sensations I feel in my head. Furthermore,
a high-frequency tone can accompany AN. Can you explain more about AN
and whether the symptoms fit and how to know for sure?
: Buspar is an anti anxiety agent, that works well for some people but not for others. If you think the anxiety is gone, you may want to talk to your doctor and discuss the tapering of the medication.
Ok, I will.
: Try some relaxation technique as this may help as well with tension HA, as well as massage. Yes there are muscles in the scalp, back and front,
: hence the muscle may become tense, contract, some patient claim that they can even feel and see the scalp muscles contraction. I personally can not do that....:-)
Indeed, I can feel it when I raise my eyebrows.
Another question: I am working since 4 months in an air-conditioned
environment (never before), and I am wearing hard (non-disposable) contact
lenses. Could it have anything to do with it?
(The (let's call it) headache felt somewhat better during the Thanksgiving
holidays when we were in Sequoia NP)
Many thanks again!
Maurice
=== Original message ===
:
: Topic Area: Headache
: : Hi,
: : In your reply to "Dave" (12-7-98) much info is given on tension-type headaches. What I find most interesting is that the brain cannot exactly locate the pain. Since almost two months now I have a kind of sensations
: : in my head continously (all day), not really painful, more some form of pressure, not dull and also small size (like a cord). But, to me it seems that I can exactly locate them. They have a kind of 'origin' next to my eye (about 0.75 inch) towards my ear. Could it be that I do feel it there, but that the problem is somewhere else? If so, what are the possibilities?
: : A maybe stupid question: are there muscles on top of the head? (Because I feel some kind of muscle vibrations sometimes in my leg and stomach)
: : Since two weeks I have a really high frequency beep in my ear (continously, also during night), around above 16kHz I guess (I am technical and have a quite high frequency hearing). My neurologist immediately said it is tinnitus, but I find it a very coincidence that it occurs during these other feelings in my head. Can it be related? (I was thinking about some infection in my ear, although my ear/nose are not in pain)
: : I have had a neurlogical exam and a CT-scan (without contrast) both of which are perfect, according to my neurologist. And because I can easily live with the 'headache', he wants to recheck me in January. A few weeks ago (before the scane) he has prescribed me Buspar, because I was anxious. The anxiety is gone, but he still wants me to stay with Buspar for at least six months. What does Buspar do? (Does it solve the headache?)
: : Many thanks for this beautiful service. And don't worry: your posts are never too long winded! (Refer to "CCF MD mdf" reply on Dave's post 12-7-98)
========
this posting has been answered
