Migraine Headaches

[klp280]

I have been suffering from headaches since I was 10 years old. I am now 34 and they seem to be getting worse. I can get a headache from just turning my head, standing up from the couch or chair or even getting out of bed. Sometimes they are a bad migraine that make me very nauseous and other times a sharp pain on my right side of the head. Very rarely do I get a headache that is on both the left and right. My symptoms include chronic pain on right side of head, dizziness, nausea, and pain behind my right eye. They can last for 3 days up to two weeks. 6 years ago I had an MRI and the Dr. said I had a small cyst on my right frontal lobe with very little fluid built up and said nothing to concern myself over. My concern is I have a tumor or an aneurysm or something worse. I have no medical insurance to get a proper diagnosis. The past couple weeks I have been very dizzy, light headed, and feel like I am going to pass out or my eyes roll back into my head (they don't, just feel that way). I am not sure what I have or suffer from, but I have chronic headaches almost every week.
I hope someone has an answer or a temporary solution. I have taken all pain medicines and none really help.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? You may want to check your blood pressure to rule out postural hypotension. Dizziness or blacking out may be experienced when you stand up or get out of bed.  With regards to your cyst on your frontal lobe, you also need to go for a follow-up consult and check if there are any changes in the cyst's size. Take care and do keep us posted.

[marileew]

Hi klp280,

I am very sorry to hear that your headaches have been getting so much worse. Often times migraine headaches can get worse during certain periods in our lives and then get better again... this might just be something like that, or it might be more serious, you would really need to be seen by a doctor to determine what is wrong.

My advice when someone's migraine pattern has changed is always to go see your doctor to let them know that your migraine pattern has changed. It is important to let your doctor know when your migraine pattern has changed.

Although, you say you don't have insurance and that you cannot afford medical help. So, I worry that you may not take my advice if I leave it at that... so, I will suggest a different route since you have used a few troublesome keywords that although I do not think you necessarily need to have any anxiety or panic over these keyword symptoms (because they can often just be normal symptoms of migraine), I do know that a doctor will take them very seriously.

You mention that you have chronic head pain, you also mention that you have been very dizzy and light headed and like you feel like you might pass out.

In America, even if you do not have health insurance, you can still access emergency medical help at Public Hospitals. Every large city should have a public hospital. Find out where the public hospital is that is closest to you and then, if you experience any of the following emergency symptoms you can go to your public hospital for diagnosis and treatment without medical insurance:

- If you ever have a very sudden, very severe headache that is the "worst headache you have ever had before".
- If you ever have a migraine headache that lasts for more than 72 hours.
- If you have a headache and you faint (become unconscious)
- If you have a headache and you have trouble standing or walking
- If you have a headache with dizziness and nausea or vomiting
- If you have dizziness and you are unable to walk and you have nausea or vomiting
- If you faint more then once after trying to stand up
- If you have moderate to severe light-headedness more than 4 times in 24 hours
- If you have vertigo (severe dizziness, like the world is moving and you are not) with ringing in your ears
- If you have vertigo and you have also fainted

I am not an American, but I do know that public hospitals exist in America. I also believe that public clinics might exist in America too because I have heard people on these forums talk about them, although I do not understand the details of a public health clinic... but, I know for a fact that you can access public hospitals in an emergency situation.

Also, what pain medications are you taking? Often times, over-the-counter pain medications can make migraine headaches worse. Prescription migraine medications, known as triptans, are often needed to stop a migraine headache, but you need a prescription to buy these and you must get a prescription from a doctor.

I hope that information helps.

- marilee