Hard Lump & Severe Migraines

[ashleyyy524]

I have been getting frequent headaches for going on about 3 years. They start in my neck and often times makes it hard to turn my head. Some have been so bad that it hurts to open my eyes. I have been on a number of medications, but mostly trial and error. I have some instances where I become very forgetful and confused. My doctor always brushes me off. About 10 months ago I noticed a hard knot like lump on the base of my skull at the hair line, it was in the center but more so on the right side. Last night my husband was rubbing my neck(I had a bad headache), and he said "Omg babe you have a huge lump on your neck". I felt it, and what once was a nickel sized hard knot, is not a large oval sized hard lump. You can't see it visually but you sure can feel it. I noticed when I get my headaches, I can press into the base of my skull and it makes me feel slightly better, but once I let go it releases more pain than before. I am 29 with 2 children, since I was 19 I have had a number of health complications. I exercise 7 days a week for 30-60 minutes a day, I eat very clean organic and gluten free foods. I don't understand, I do everything I was taught in order to be healthy but I know my body, and something feels off. Instead of having energy after a workout, I am wiped out and very fatigued, hence the reason I can only last about 30 minutes. Should I find a new doctor and start fresh? Or stick it out with this one since she knows my life history.

[AKC_75]

Hi and welcome to the Migraines & Headaches Community.

It sounds like typical migraines. What causes the pain of a migraine is the blood vessels in your brain become dilated. So, that can be the cause of a lump, if the lump goes away with the migraine. If it doesn't then I would ask the doctor about the lump. As far as treating the migraines, you are right...it is trial and error. You just have to keep playing with the preventative and abortive drugs until you find what works for you. Here are some OTC things you can try that have worked for me in the past.
1. Sometimes it helps it you put a bit of pressure on your head. I am sure you have already been doing this unconsciously with your hands from time to time. So, get a bandanna or a cloth headband and wrap it snugly around your head.
2. If you rub Mentholatum across your forehead and on your temples that helps relax those tense muscles. You can do this with or without the wrap, depending on if you like the heat or not.
3. Try either a cold or hot pack, whichever is more comfy to you.
4. The best OTC meds that I have found that works is Excedrin. It is a combo of Aspirin, Tylenol and Caffeine and that happens to be an excellent combo for migraines.
5. I mentioned caffeine before...well, drink coffee, Mt Dew, take Vivirin...sometimes a mega dose of caffeine will stop it in its tracks.
6. If you get nauseous or dizzy get some Meclizine from the pharmacy (the stuff behind the counter) you can take 25mg three times a day as needed. Yes it works on both.

See if you have any luck with these tips and keep us posted.

[ashleyyy524]

I meant to say "now a large oval sized"