Post Stroke Headaches

[rainboots]

My husband had a stoke in 2007, he was 47. Now he is 50 and has had headaches ever since. Doctors can't do anything because it's not common but very rare and they don't know why this happens. Has anyone else had this problem? If anyone has suggestions - it would be great...thank-you.

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. These headaches could be primary like migraines, cluster or tension headaches depending on the characteristic of the headaches you are having. the onset post stroke could be incidental. These headaches could be due to stress, anxiety, migraines or tension headaches, sinus headaches radiating to the ear, headache usually front of head, on one or both  the sides of temples along with nausea, vomiting, irritability, low blood pressure, sensitivity to lights, sound, etc. aura associated with migraines could include blind spots, blindness in half of your visual field, paresthesia, weakness or visual hallucinations. Your vision needs detailed testing by an ophthalmologist. Hypertension and hypotension need to be checked. An MRI brain is warranted to rule out any intracranial lesion particularly aneurysm and MRI spine for ruling out cervical spondylosis and degenerative disc disease.  Temporal tendinitis mimics migraines including TMJ pain temporal headaches, tooth sensitivity, neck and shoulder pain. Treatment includes injecting local anesthetics and other medicines, moist heat muscle relaxants and NSAIDs along with physiotherapy. Multiple sclerosis would also need to be excluded. Treatment for migraines include drugs that prevent the attack like anti convulsants and drugs which treat an attack like triptans, ergots etc your queries should pertain to all these possible differential diagnoses. Trigeminal neuralgia needs to be considered. If your husband had a cerebral aneurysm, it can be confirmed with cerebral angiography and clipping of the aneurysm could be done. Hope this helps. Take care.

[sara12345]

Yes, you can have headaches for years after a stroke.  I have had migraines for over 3 years since my stroke which the neurologists seem to think were caused by my stroke.   And I have since read many posts from others who have migraines after their strokes.

But there are many treatments that the doctors can do.  You need to find a headache specialist or at least a neurologist.  

I had SEVERE migraines which have been greatly helped by nerve block injections, Botox injections, transdermal gel, lidocaine nasally, prophylactic medications taken every day to prevent the headaches.  Plus there are many other treatments.

But if he keeps taking pain pills, he will have rebound headaches forever.

So find a better doctor!  Good luck.  Let me know.