Sudden, severe headache followed by face numbness

I am a 29 yo female with a clear medical history.  I awoke in the middle of the night last week with a sudden, severe headache - it was the worst pain I've ever experienced, unlike any headache I've ever had.  It was accompanied by vomiting and extreme sensitivity to light.  It lasted 2 hours and then just went away.  When I awoke the next morning, I had slight numbness in the left side of my face.  I went to the emergency room just to make sure everything was okay, and they did an exam and diagnosed me with a sinus infection.  I have now been on antibiotics for the infection for 5 days, and the numbness in my face has only gotten worse.  I now have no feeling in the left upper part of my face, but I still have full movement.  When I was in the ER, they did a CT scan, which they said was clear.  I don't know what to do next - any help is greatly appreciated.

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

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.

Whenever someone has the worst headache of their life, the first thing one thinks of is a bleed. You have had a CT scan which was normal. That is reassuring. If the ED had found it clinically indicated, a lumbar puncture would have been recommended.

Sensitivity to light and vomiting may be a migraine. (I cannot for certain say migraine based on the history you provided). The prolonged numbness of the face is atypical though. I would recommend that you follow up with a neurologist for a thorough examination, including sensory. It would be important to identify where the numbness is located. There are a few conditions that include benign tumors, demyelinating disease, and viral infections that would be in the differential if the numbness is not due to the initial headache. If this is found to be the case, I would highly suggest getting an MRI of the brain. You may also benefit in having your vessels (veins and arteries) imaged with an MRA/V. Lastly, a lumbar puncture is a procedure that should be discussed.  

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

[Rose_50ca]

My hubby has had a very painful pain on his right side of his head.
what could it be?