Post Coital Headache AFTER Traumatic Brain Injury

[Lexxie1018]

Last year I had a severe Traumatic Brain Injury (invloving all lobes of the brain).To give you an idea of the severity of this head injury, I bled from both ears for over a month.Since this injury, I have now had THREE of these post coital headaches.Yesterday was the worst one EVER.It felt as if a lightning bolt had hit me in the right side of the head.(the headache occured approx. 3:00 pm and lasted all night)  I still do NOT feel good this morning either; however, during this headache, my balance and eye sight was effected as well.(i might want to mention here that during the attack I had BOTH eyes gouged with the perpetrator's thurmbs-which resulted in a crushed orbit--an orbital blowout fracture with entrapment-BUT that was on the left side).These headaches are unlike anything I have ever had before.I would describe them as explosive and debilitating, but most of all they are frightning because I have never experienced a headache quite like this before.(please note that i have suffered from hormonal migraines for many years, but nevertheless NOTHING has ever compard to this EXPLOSIVE headache i experienced yesterday). What is more frightening is the fact that THEY (out of the 3) are getting worse--the one yesterday was the worst I have EVER experienced, and indeed lasted the longest I might not be so very frightned "IF" it had NOT been for the severe head trauma that I suffered just last year. (just as a side note here-I also suffered severe body and facial trauma as well ie, broken jaw, broken cheek and facial bones, teeth were moved--some dead, back injury at the L5-S1 level, and a shoulder injury).  (also note that I indeed had a difficult time obtaining medical specialty treatment because Victim's Compensation was NOT accepted by any of the physcians that I was referred to--neurologist, oral maxilofacial surgeorn,chronic pain doctor.ect). ANY information you can give me will be very much appreciated.  I AM VERY FRIGHTENED!!  I am a 41 year old female.

[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.

Postcoital headaches, or headaches following sexual intercourse, can occur as a result of spasm of the arteries in the brain, what is termed vasospasm. This sounds alarming but is in fact usually a benign disorder, under the category of exertional headache, similar to the headaches occurring after exercise and other activities. The medical term for it is reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, and if this diagnosis is confirmed, it is treatable with certain medications such as calcium channel blockers which help the muscles of the blood vessels in the brain from spasming. Post-coital and other exertaional headaches do not typically follow trauma, and the trauma you have sustained may be unrelated, but given the severity of the trauma, psychological counseling may be necessary to help cope with the stress.

Followup with your neurologist is recommended.

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

[Lexxie1018]

Hi there, It is me again!  I just wanted to update you.  Today was another post coital headache.  Granted, it is NOT as bad as the other one.  I am not meaning to be graphic here, but at first I was on top, and felt the headache coming on like a lighting bolt in surges, so I insisisted that we change positions.  Neverthless, after orgasm,  BOOM--Headache again.  Now my partner is getting afraid, because he knows what has happened to me.  I made him totally aware of the incident.  NOW i am MORE AFRAID THAN EVER!!  IS this going to happen EVERY TIME i have sex now????  AND what is at the root of this is more concerning....could this possibly be from the severe head traumas that i suffered?  THIS is NOT sporatic anymore, and now i am afraid to have sex in fear of this terrible headache.  PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!  ANY ADVICE FROM ANYONE WILL BE GREAT.   THANK YOU so VERY MUCH-----------------------LEXXIE

[Lexxie1018]

ONE more update.  This morning was doing small work out.....AND here comes that headache again like lightning bolt in the right side of my head.  Vision and eye problems, and small loss of balance.  Just thought I would somehow keep track of these occourences.  My memory is not so good anymore, but atleast i can look back to here and see dates and times i guess.  HAS ANYONE at all ever had this to happen?   THESE headaches are FRIGHTNING and DEBILITATING.  Now what?

[Lexxie1018]

Just another note.  I will try to make this my last one.  I have started keeping a journal and putting this in my calendar.  Yesterday----yes indeed another headache.  I was about 10 minutes into a small work out.  I guess until I find out some kind of further information I will STOP all exercise and sex.  (I cant believe I am having to do this), but indeed, It seems to be the thing to do.  I have no other options....and dont know what ELSE "TO DO" about it.  I really will miss swimming----THAT was my favorite.  I was really getting in fairly good shape.  Eating properly and daily exercise---BUT until I hear from SOMEONE.....i will STOP all of these activities.  *sigh*  Very frustrated and confused.......and in severe pain at this point.  The headaches are only part of it.  I will NOT go into the rest of it here.  
THANKS to ANYONE who posts to this or has had a similar event happen to them.  
With utmost peace and sincerity,
Lexxie