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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Please answer
Answered by
Joanna Fong, MD - Stroke/NICU, multiple sclerosis, sleep, EEG, General Neurology
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland - OH
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Please answer
by Shadowsama, Dec 01, 2007 08:57AM
Since I was young I have been having migraines. Usually quite painful, sensitivity to noise and light, nausea, etc. But recently I have been having cluster like headaches. Usually more sound sensitive then light sensitive. I feel ice-pick like pains in my temples to my forehead and to my eyes. It is extremely excruciating. I have never experienced anything like this before and I am just recently 18.
Now, I read that these headaches can be related to stress. Which I have been having a lot of problems with lately. I have been having full-blown panic attacks that hyperventilate me and I usually end up going to the hospital for and even scare them. I take Pexeva 30 mg. As a preventative for my migraines I recently started and ended taking 5 mg of Topamax I found I was having insomnia and stopped because it was one thing to have headaches all day everyday with a full nights rest, it's another to have it on 2-5 hours of sleep. I have been taking Maxalt for the migraines as a quick fix but found it isn't working. Instead Excedrine Migraine is working somewhat better.
Now I do have other things that may affect this, I am anemic right now, I frequently find the room spinning if I stand suddenly. I may feint or just collapse from the dizziness. I do have to eat frequently because if I don't I start to get pale and fatigued or even headaches.
Is this just Cluster Migraines? Is there anything I can do to lessen the pain?
Now, I read that these headaches can be related to stress. Which I have been having a lot of problems with lately. I have been having full-blown panic attacks that hyperventilate me and I usually end up going to the hospital for and even scare them. I take Pexeva 30 mg. As a preventative for my migraines I recently started and ended taking 5 mg of Topamax I found I was having insomnia and stopped because it was one thing to have headaches all day everyday with a full nights rest, it's another to have it on 2-5 hours of sleep. I have been taking Maxalt for the migraines as a quick fix but found it isn't working. Instead Excedrine Migraine is working somewhat better.
Now I do have other things that may affect this, I am anemic right now, I frequently find the room spinning if I stand suddenly. I may feint or just collapse from the dizziness. I do have to eat frequently because if I don't I start to get pale and fatigued or even headaches.
Is this just Cluster Migraines? Is there anything I can do to lessen the pain?
Doctor's Answer
by Joanna Fong, MD, Dec 03, 2007 04:04PM
, Dec 03, 2007 04:04PM
Hi Shadowsama,
Your symptoms do fit into migraine headache. Typical symptoms of migraine are one-sided sharp, throbbing pain, associated with photophobia (light sensitivity), phonophobia (sound sensitivity), nausea and vomiting. It can present with aura or without aura (visual or other neurological symptoms before the onset of headache). Migraine headache can often be triggered by food, stress, hormone (menstrual). If your migraine headache attacks are frequently and recurrent, you may want to see a headache specialist (neurology) and see if intravenous infusion is indicated in your case. Typically, infusion of medications include the combination of depakote, magnesium, steroid, antiemetic (anti-nausea), DHE. Common prophylaxis of migraine (if migraine more than 3 times per month) are: TCAs (amitriptyline), beta-blocker, calcium blockers, anticonvulsants (e.g. topamax). Please be aware that overuse of NSAIDs (excedrine, advil, aleve, ibuprofen, tylenol, etc) can cause Rebound headache.
Your symptoms of dizziness and near-syncope (passing out) can possible due to your anemia. However, dehydration, hypoglycemia can common cause syncope. Other serious disease associated with headache that I need to mention are 1) basilar migraine 2) brainstem disease 3) brain aneurysm 4) pseudotumor cerebri 5) other disease processes that increase intracranial pressure. It is best to have a neurologist to do a thorough evaluation and see if neuroimagings are indicated (e.g. MRI brain, MRA).
Good luck. Thanks for using MedHelp forum.
THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL MEDICAL EDUCATION PURPOSE ONLY. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR PHYSICIAN FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT OPTIONS OF YOUR SPECIFIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS.
Your symptoms do fit into migraine headache. Typical symptoms of migraine are one-sided sharp, throbbing pain, associated with photophobia (light sensitivity), phonophobia (sound sensitivity), nausea and vomiting. It can present with aura or without aura (visual or other neurological symptoms before the onset of headache). Migraine headache can often be triggered by food, stress, hormone (menstrual). If your migraine headache attacks are frequently and recurrent, you may want to see a headache specialist (neurology) and see if intravenous infusion is indicated in your case. Typically, infusion of medications include the combination of depakote, magnesium, steroid, antiemetic (anti-nausea), DHE. Common prophylaxis of migraine (if migraine more than 3 times per month) are: TCAs (amitriptyline), beta-blocker, calcium blockers, anticonvulsants (e.g. topamax). Please be aware that overuse of NSAIDs (excedrine, advil, aleve, ibuprofen, tylenol, etc) can cause Rebound headache.
Your symptoms of dizziness and near-syncope (passing out) can possible due to your anemia. However, dehydration, hypoglycemia can common cause syncope. Other serious disease associated with headache that I need to mention are 1) basilar migraine 2) brainstem disease 3) brain aneurysm 4) pseudotumor cerebri 5) other disease processes that increase intracranial pressure. It is best to have a neurologist to do a thorough evaluation and see if neuroimagings are indicated (e.g. MRI brain, MRA).
Good luck. Thanks for using MedHelp forum.
THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL MEDICAL EDUCATION PURPOSE ONLY. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR PHYSICIAN FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT OPTIONS OF YOUR SPECIFIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS.
