Please help refer me re/headaches, vision, dizziness, tx

[Maxmama77]

Dear Drs,
I am having some major issues and don't know where to turn. First, I had my 2nd baby 5 weeks ago. I had an epidural, which was bruised and the dr appeared to be a student, with another phys coaching her.  

Well, almost two weeks ago, I woke up with a headache. This headache started on my left side of the head, then gravitated to the other sides and primarily in the front. It was kind of heavy for me, but not horrible. I am not a headache person unless if I am hungry, etc... so wasn't sure if it was blood sugar. Well, I had some more trouble later in the day, but it was kind of light. I did feel dizzy though, and that didn't seem normal for me.

The next day, I had some more morning headaches, ( I believe one that was in my sleep) and then some strange visual issues. I thought I saw some big blue circle thing, and noticed it was due to looking down at a phone book on the front porch, left for me. I keep having these issues with seeing dots out of the corner of the eye and so on.

I am concerned and keep thinking the worst. It has been going on for almost 2 weeks with these, and the troublesome issue is when I look down, I can get dizzy, and I feel pain in my right eye or headache when I pick something up at times. I am extremely tired, and feel very weak. I even brought this up at my dr, as I felt like I was going to pass out on exam, and she just had me sit back, and is going to give me a Thyroid test. I did have a test for anemia, and it is ok. I am taking Labetalol, or did when I was pregnant, but the dr didn't change my meds. Can this be something benign? I am really scared and can't get answers. Thanks.

[Lama Chahine, MD]

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 your doctor.

Without the ability to examine you and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of your symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

Following pregnancy and delivery, there can be several causes to headaches. The most concerning one would be related to clotting of the veins in the brain, which can occur as pregnancy is a state of tendency to form clots. This causes headache, nausea, vision disturbances, in some cases focal neurologic deficits such as weakness on one side of the body or sensory symptoms. This is best diagnosed by a specific type of MRI of the brain called MRV. Please understand I am not trying to imply I think that this is what you have, but only mentioning possible causes of headache following delivery. Another, more common, and less serious cause of headache following delivery with spinal anesthesia is what is called intracranial hypotension. Sometimes, when spinal anesthesia is performed, a very small hole can result in the tissue that contains the fluid around the spine, and the spinal fluid leaks out in very small quanitities, leading to low amounts of spinal fluid around the brain. The result is headache that typically occurs when sitting or standing up and resolves with laying down. This is a treatable condition, often, with just caffiene and hydration, but when intractable, with what is termed a blood patch. Other causes of headaches following pregnancy include migraines (which can occur with hormonal changes) and tension headaches due to change in daily routine and poor sleep.

Continued followup with your physicians is recommended, and referral to a neurologist is indicated for further evaluation of your headaches if they persist.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.

[Maxmama77]

Any ideas, please? Thanks.

[JoshuaY46013]

Honestly, take your doctors advice, relax!

To me it sounds like Migraines, you have aura, seeing spots and such.  Take it easy, grab some Tylenol and take a deep breath.  Pain behind your eyes and around your head are usually signs of tension headaches and you admit to having them.  Headaches can be caused by stress, having two children and one less than 5 weeks ago can be tough!  

[Maxmama77]

Thanks Joshua,
It just is kind of freaky, the pain isn't as bad, but I have the dizzy spells and eye problem daily. It feels like something behind the eye. I am going to see if a neurologist, Ent or eye doctor might know if I need some meds. I am going to the neuro first. I just am so tired and everything.

[Maxmama77]

Also, could this severe fatigue, eye fullness in the right eye (has been constant), dizziness, be migraine? The headache seesm to occur at times when I am stressed, but will creep up when I am bending over to get things, then clears. I have never had a migraine, and never had headaches for over a day. This has gone on for two weeks, plus. I am going to see a neuro next week, but I hope they will be able to give me an idea of what is going on.

[Maxmama77]

Dr.Chahine,
Thanks for your responses. I am going to the neuro tomorow. I am now getting sick with a cold, and the whole family now has it. I don't think it is related, but I am running this by the dr. I just normally do not feel this way. I am a sahm and have been going non-stop since having the baby. Could this be exhaustion or low bp? I have checked my bp and at home it is severely low like 110-60, which is low for me, but at my dr it is much higher. My DS checked his on the same cuff, and it is a normal range. I am on labetalol 2x daily. I wonder if it could be related? Will the neuro check my eyes and all the basic stuff too? I was hoping he/she would to make sure they find an answer soon. Thanks.

[JoshuaY46013]

110/60 is considered normal range, the bottom could be a bit higher, but it depends on what was going on when you were taking it!

It could be higher at the doctors office because you are nervous or so fourth.

[Capricorn34]

Firstly congrats and secondly don't panic it's only been 5 weeks your hormones are prob still all over the place It sounds like your having anxiety over this stop checking your bp at home lol I have had 2 children my first child I had physio due to the epidural that was 15 years ago I'm still alive lol go for these tests but also look on websites for anxiety might help you relax honestly  5 weeks is not much time to get over all the strains of pregnancy child birth