what's going on with me?

[Jram]

I have had headaches every day since I was 11 (I am now 21).  I have been to the doctor on multiple occasions and have had head scans done but the doctors didn't see anything unusual.  Yesterday I experienced a terrible migraine headache while at work which resulted in the loss of vision in my left eye and a terrible throbbing pain on the right side of my head between my eye and temple.  When my headache eventually went away my vision restored by the pain around my temple did not.  Every time I crouch, sit down, or bend over it feels as if a large quantity of blood rushes to that painful spot by my temple and it feels like it is going to pop.  This is still happening.  What is going on with me?

I have no idea what a stroke feels like, but if I had to guess, I'd say that what i'm experiencing is a stroke.  Has anyone ever had this happen to them before?  what is going on with me?

[Carol in PA]

Jram:
You should see your doctor for a physical examination.
Your symptoms may be due to temporal arteritis.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporal_arteritis

Patients present with:
Fever
Headache
Tenderness and sensitivity on the scalp
Jaw claudication (pain in jaw and ear when chewing)
Reduced visual acuity (blurred vision)
Acute visual loss (sudden blindness)

The inflammation may affect blood supply to the eye and blurred vision or sudden blindness may occur.
Loss of vision in both eyes may occur very abruptly and this disease is therefore a medical emergency.

Have you checked your temperature?
Do you have any of the other symptoms listed?
Is there an occupational health nurse at work who could check you?
Bookmark this page, and come back to let us know how you're doing.

Wishing you the best,
Carol

[Jram]

The website says that most people who get this disease are over 50; I am only 21 so I don't think this is the issue.  I also don't have many of those symptoms.  

I think its more of a migraine issue... but the pain in my temple is still there and that's my biggest concern.

[Carol in PA]

You presented with headache, loss of vision left eye, and pain right temple.
This last qualifies as "pain and sensitivity scalp,"  which you still have.
Check your temperature in the morning and the evening.
Do you have any pain when chewing.
Did you have any more problems today?  Has the headache returned?

When the arteries are inflamed in temporal arteritis, these are the typical symptoms you will get.  Not everyone gets every symptom.
This is a medical emergency, as it can cause you to go blind.
You need to be examined by a physician.

I'm a retired R.N.  If you'd like the opinion of a physician, you can go to one of the doctor-to-patient forums.  The doctor for the neurology forum has not answered questions for more than a month.
The doctor for the undiagnosed symptoms seems to answer more quickly, within two or three days.

I'm really concerned that by delaying medical attention, that you're going to run into more trouble.
If you don't have a family doctor who can see you now, you should go to the Emergency Room.  You could even call the E.R. and talk to one of the nurses....they are trained to evaluate symptoms and can advise if this would be considered an emergency.  (Be sure to say that someone thought it sounded like Temporal Arteritis.)

Best,
Carol

[Carol in PA]

Okay, I looked for more information that you would help you understand.

Temporal arteritis causes the arteries in the temple area of the forehead to become swollen.
It can begin with a severe headache, pain when chewing, and tenderness in the temple area.
It may be followed in a few weeks by sudden vision loss.
Other symptoms can include shaking, weight loss, and low-grade fever.
Scientists don’t know the cause of temporal arteritis, but they think it may be a disorder of the immune system.
Early treatment with medication can help prevent vision loss in one or both eyes. Source:  


Signs and symptoms of temporal arteritis

Carol

[Jram]

I'm just saying that I don't feel that I have this because the website clearly states that most people who get this disease are over 70 and i'm only 21!  I know this doesn't rule it out, but I feel it has more to do with migraine headaches.  I don't have ANY of the symptoms except the vision loss and headache.  I know you're just trying to help, and please don't take this the wrong way, but I REALLY don't think this is the problem.