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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Memory and headache
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Memory and headache
by teka2, Apr 22, 2003 12:00AM
I am 50 years old. I have had some memory problems since I was 30. My hypothyroidism problem was diagnosed about 5 years ago and has been treated with Synthroid (only meds I take) I never had any symptoms. Neurological problems are in the family. My father had Parkinsons, died of a stroke. He also had dementia, I believe undiagnosed alzheimers (violence etc.) My mother has had 3 brain tumors, my brother one. I have had dull pain over my right eye that comes and goes for about 5 months. I have had a few migraines in my life and this is different, not so intense, no change in vision, etc. but the pain is in the same place. No medication seems to help. I was in a minor accident just before the headaches started, but no injuries. I have had concerning memory problems for the last month, important apts. for work, written down in my apt. book, forgetting which room to go to when I have been to it a number of times. I had a large ovarian cyst and had a complete hysterectomy 9 months ago. I am on a hormone patch and have had no menopausal symptoms. My doctor believes that the headaches are stress. I don't feel stressed. I have a job that I love, a great boss and a terrific husband. Should I see if I can get a referral to a neurologist?
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Apr 23, 2003 12:00AM
, Apr 23, 2003 12:00AM
The answer is yes, you should definetly see a neurologist, and only after he has given you a clean bill of health should you explore the possibility of stress...or at least, given your history, the possibility that your worries about symptoms are making your symptoms worse.
I hope you feel that you are allowed to experience some stress =P.
As to the pain over your eye...from what you said of your families medical history I hope you have gone in to get some sort of tests done to see if you have a tumor growing... It is scary to consider that but better to cover the bases (and with things of this nature sooner means MUCH better)=).
I think maybe you are looking for the suggestion to go see another doctor, and hopefully you do =).
Best wishes.