Head pain, dizziness, memory loss

[caikeigh]

Hello, hope I'm posting this in the correct area.. Sorry in advance for a long post!


For the past year or so, I've experienced pain that comes and goes in one area - the mid-upper back of my head, almost always toward the right 'corner' if that makes any sense. It never travels or spreads. It lacks the normal throb of a headache - a very different feel, though I can't really articulate it.

With or without the pain, I also get varying dizzy spells that range from general lightheadedness to full-on vertigo where I cannot stay steadily upright. I'm not sure, but it may have caused me to black out once or twice. When not dizzy, I'm often unusually tired.

Lately, I've also noticed a strange amount of short-term memory loss. I used to pride myself on my ability to remember entire conversations almost word-for-word, but now, I've had friends telling me about chats that I don't even remember having at all. There are entire chunks of days that I honestly cannot recall - completely lost time.


Due to the urging of family and friends, I did see a doctor about all this, but my MRI came back with nothing obvious, so I decided not to pursue it further ... thought it was all in my head (no pun intended) ... but the symptoms are getting progressively worse, particularly the memory problems. If it's nothing, I'll deal with it, but I'd still love to have some clue what's going on.

Recently, my father lost his job - and along with it, our family's health coverage. I hate to sound desperate, but at the moment, those of you at MedHelp are my only hope. If you have any idea what this might be, or any advice, I'd truly appreciate it. :)


Note: If helpful, I am 22 years old, female, with a past heart murmur (not sure if it still exists) and unusual lack of periods for years (but that's probably unrelated...) Otherwise pretty healthy.

If you have any other questions or need more medical history, I'll provide anything I can. Thank you!!

[caikeigh]

I guess I should also note that I was tested for lyme disease and that was not it either.

[SLB1982]

Did you ever get answers to this?>

[selmaS]

Hi...may I ask what was the MRI of and for what...it depends on what they r looking for and what they find..and remember that an MRI report is the opinion of the radiologist.

Do u have a copy of the report?

Did they chack u for MS......or a thyroid issue...r ur levels all ok...vitamins and minerals?

Did u ever have an injury or trauma to the head or neck?


"selma"

[caikeigh]

The doctors were very vague with me. All I know is that they did an MRI of my head, I assume the entire thing?

They did not tell me anything about it, and I never saw or received a copy.

I had a general blood test done (which included checking for signs of lyme disease) but I don't know exactly what they were looking for. No other tests besides that.

And nope, no injuries at all. I have no idea what caused this, it's been going on for at least a year now, but like I said.. lately getting worse.

Thank you for a reply!

[selmaS]

I would suggest u call the location that did ur MRI study and request copies of the films(on disk) and the report as well.This way u can get a 2nd opinion.

U may also want to request copies of ur labs that were done.

Do u know if ur MRI was with and without contrast?

There r several different conditions that could cause the symptoms u describe, but with out the MRI findings it will be diff to speculate.

"selma"

[caikeigh]

Will they charge money for the copies? If it is expensive without insurance, that could be a problem. I'll see what I can do. No idea whether it had contrast or not, but no dyes were injected or anything like that.

[mini_d]

Hi,

What you have may be headache in the occipital region, as not all headaces are throbbing variety. As has been suggested, you may need to get your MRI reports, even if it costs. Thecost of not knowing will be higher.

Dizziness, memory loss can be caused by changes in the brain, which can be known by MRI.

Also, you need to go and visit a Gynecologist for your lack of periods. It needs to be evaluated. It could be related.

Regards

[headpain2]

I have the same pain for the past 2 weeks+  I am going through a speration, and the pain started as soon as we separated.  I'm not sure if he took my pillow, lol, or I am overly stressed.  I believe it is a combination of things for me.  I am wanting to see a dr. today, it hurts so bad, even after a little pain medicine.  

[SLB1982]

Did you ever get answers to this? i am suffering exactly the same, have read all the comments below and we all seem to suffer similarly. I am worried that it is something serious like dementia.

[kizzie09]

I am going for an MRI today for the same reasons. I have been suffering from vertigo/dizziness for over 9 months now. I had tests with a neuro for Vertigo crystals and I was fine. My memory loss is frightening me.  I have no recollection of going to certain places, seeing some movies etc.. my sister reminds me regularly of things we have done or spoken about and she looks at me stating "you have no idea what I am talking about do you?"... I have headaches (not frequent) on the right side of my head and a fullness in my right ear (had my ear checked and there isn't anything to be seen)... Last week I had a dizzy spell and I woke up with a muscle spasm in my neck (where my skull meets me neck).But this time on the left side.. and I could hear my pulse in my ear.. (still can a week after)  I was in so much pain my friend needed to call the paramedics... so even though I don't want the MRI to find anything.. a part of me does!!>. just to give an answer to what is going on!.

Did you get any results?...
** I also have very irregular very heavy periods too!.. always have had!..

[Dr Rajgopal]

Hi,
I would suggest you to get a copy of MRI and  consult another neurologist for a second opinion. Most of your symptoms suggest of a brain tumour and it needs to be ruled out necessarily.
The cause of headaches, dizziness, vertigo and short term memory loss along with heart symptoms and missed periods in the absence of a brain pathology could be severe anemia.  If your MRI is normal, anemia could be the most probable cause. Please consult a physician and get routine investigations done. Hope this helps you. Take care and regards!

[Cassi6]

Hi, I have the same pain in my head on the right side and I know its not like my other headaches. Once in a while I can feel a shift to the left but almost all the time its on the right behind my eye. I also have memory loss I cant rememeber what I did the other day or today. When walking to my car I stop to get my keys out and something hits me like how did I get from there to here even when driving.Also for years I have always been weak for black outs when I get sick I'm often weak, my ears pop and ring. Today when I walk up stairs I feel the blood rushing and I start to get dizzie when I walk up 3 sets of stairs I take a break so I dont get close to blacking out.This past week I notice exessive hair loss. Everytime I take my hair tie out its full of hair and weeks ago it wasnt like that. I also I have to use the restroom right  away I dont get a warning. When I take a couple of drinks I instantly need to use the restroom but I cant move because I would pee on myself. These problems are getting in my way of life lately my mood swings are dramatic Its like I want to hurt everyone but truly I dont Im just in a weired pain. I have not gone to a doctor and I do not have insurance. Should I go to the doctor and if so who the walk-in or ER and what do I ask

[gcl9997]

i am only 14 years old and i am having alot of the same symptoms as a lot of you. i get headaches, my hands shake everyday, dizzyness, and i get to where i can't remember what i did that day or what i had for breakfast and if i said something to someone. sometimes i even forget where i am. i have had an EEG done and its not epilepsy. occasionally i will just bust out in tears for no reason or i will get so incredibly sleepy that i just have to sleep right then and i don't want to move. my periods are everything 3 weeks and i have a cyst in my boob but i don't think it all goes together. its not thyroid diese i have had my blood work done for that. i have looked for answers and googled but i have found nothing :/ i don't know what to do now. i am going to the nuerologgist soon but idk if he will have any answers for me. Thank youu

-Virginia

[boatride261]

Hi, I'm 30 yrs old, and female.  I have been diagnosed with PCOS and I have been placed on Metformin 500mg bid, along with Spironolactone 100mg bid.  I have noticed a sudden increase in memory loss, headaches, dizziness..(almost to the point of falling sideways).  When walking and the dizziness occurs, I feel like the old V8 commercial where no one was walking straight.  I do hear ringing in my ears from time to time, only lasts for a few seconds.  I'm tired, can't think clear, and really forget why I go to a store, and will only get a few items on the list, and completely forget where I put the list, it's awful!  I recently had an MRI w/o contrast, due to a "blackout" episode, and I just feel like I'm fighting a losing battle.  

I also seen a psychiatrist who's dx was ADHD.  I couldn't concentrate, and just can't get motivated.  He didn't seem to think that I was depressed, just very edgy, and that's not me.  I've always been the "go~getter," the one who's always on top of things, HELP...I just don't understand what's going on..any suggestions???

[kezza18]

i have had all of these symptoms too and all of my scans (me and my family were preparing for bad news as i was sent for an mri looking for a tumour!) and blood tests showed nothing, except than slight anaemia, and they didnt look to see y- no bone marrow tests or anything.it is really beginning to frighten me- the stress then makes me sick i am in tears so much because i am in alot of pain and noone knows why, or how to help me.

[phj]

i am 53 i get dizzy my memory is crap i keep falling to the side a lot got ringing in ear  nose semmi blocked had it for 3 month doc is no help

[Laurie73]

I have had all of these symtoms for a few months and getting worse. I have had a MRI which shows nothing unusual. I did some more research on the internet and it sounds like I may have a vitamin b12 defieiency. It is often misdiagnoised as vertigo. My father had to have vitamin b12 shots, and I found out that this can be hereditery. I am going to ask my doctor to check mine  this  week.

[boduku]

I have had very strange experience headache on left side of my head. I cannot remember a day I did not feel headaches through out 2010. my memory is simply a night mar'; I forget everything I read almost immediately and the pains that comes with this headaches comes also with strange disturbances like the movement of bubbles in my brain giving a sensation that something blocks my ear.
I had an MRI last April but the result came out normal. Today am simply confuse on what else to do with pains that have had its toll on my normal life, my photographic memory is lost and I have to struggle to retain the minutest information. Please help

[boduku]

Please I need urgent help as am dying slowly. I cannot imagine that I have got no single moment of respite from headaches for over one year now. The Left part of my head feels like a rope is tight around my nerves, bubbles sensation as though I can deep my hands and park them out, distractions so much that I cannot maintain a line of thought for uo to ten minutes without straying.
I had MRI but the result was normal. I was placed on antidepressants for some months and had a significant relief but not on my memory but today things have returned the way they were. As a student, I cannot study for more than five hours a week because am mentally not agile at all. I get tired less than an hour into studies.
Life is just difficult for me. I need help just immediately before evil consumes me.  

[Jasink1987]

My girlfriend is 21 years old and she has always had some medical issues. IE (heart murmurs, minor depression, ADHD, etc) Well recently she has been getting these muscle spams. They used to occur during night but now they are usually happening all the time. This sparked a major concern with me because we were afraid it was MS, ALS or some other neuro-disease. So this went on for about a month before it got so bad that she wasn't able to walk very fast or situp without hurting. She went to go see a doctor and they did blood work and everything came back fine, but the doctor did diagnose her with hyperreflexia. Then she went to get an MRI and what they ended up discovering was a calcification or an old bleed... So she calls the doctors and they say it isn't that big of a deal and that she can wait til her follow-up....Her follow up with the MRI is in freaking MAY! This is complete crap because now things are getting worse. She was at work (she's an LPN at the hospital) and all of a sudden she starts feeling weird and forgets where she put things, she forgot to pass out her meds to the patients, random stuff. It was like she was awake but blacked out. Anyways she ended up being admitted to an ER and from then on she's been having nonstop random episodes of acting basically like a zombie. She'll get real sad one minute and start crying for no reason, then she forgets major things that just happened (short-term mem loss)...She has had a strong pain in the back of her head for sometime now (where the head meets the spinal cord. She also has bad back pain...Please if anyone is experiencing similar symptoms let me know. You can drop me an e-mail at ***@****

[amana320]

I have headache, strange movement inside my head running from left to right part of my head and caused me extreme memory loss so that I read and forget just immediately and concentration on any task is embarrassing: tell how to do anything and I will just be struggling on a simple task, besides having blurry sight. It has been like this for about two years now.
In April 2010 I had an MRI that came out normal but I remain in pains and bad memory without respite for a day-it's severe sometime than some other times. I have tried to study what makes it worst but no pattern has been established for this strange disturbance inside my brain. I exercise a lot but even this has not helped at all. My GP seems tired and recommended Amitriptyline 10mg; the headaches subsided and the strange movements too but my sight and memory was a nightmare so that I preferred the the pains that being cut off from my real world. I had stopped the medication and the problem remains so that I cant think nor see clearly and strange movements inside my head that makes me physically use apron to tie my head as if it will lessen the feelings; hot ointment does help sometimes but am not sure how. Does anyone have the idea how I can be helped?      

[giggles0387]

hello! I am 25 yrs old and I am having memory loss, pressure in my head, ad severe hedches, and im off balance. I have had MRI's, blood work, and a MRV and everythig keeps coming back normal but the symptoms are still present. I went through this before about 5 yrs ago and eventually I did make a full recovery even though doctors or neurologist were able to tell me what was wrong . it  started again about 3 months ago and still no answers. today my neuroogists told me"I know its hard but you are going to have to live like this util I can come up with another plan" then he made me an appointment for JUNE! I personally feel like some doctors dont really care. it is not their loved ones dealing with it and they get paid no matter what they tell us.

[TheFrogLady]

I have recently had an MRI done for the same reasons and then some and they said it is Sinitus. I have no idea what that is or anything about it i just figured i would give you an option on what it could be.

[Diana299]

Hi I am 34 years old female I have a severe upper neck pain and lower head pain in the back of my head to the point I cant move. It's only on my right side. I have lost of memory to the point I cant remember days. I cant remember what I did 5 minutes ago.I can't eat at all. Please help

[Arosetei]

I have been suffering from migraines on the right side of my head for years but started getting hit with a baseball bat from the inside of my brain to behind my left eye about 10 years ago. I get these slamming pains over and over again. I feel it in my eye, my jaw, my head teeth and ear. They make my eye tear and sometimes my sinus drain with tears. Sometimes i get so many that my head tingles like your foot after its been asleep. They leave me off balance and tired.  If you are experiencing these symptoms, have your neurologist look into what my 3rd dr. finally diagnosed me with. S.U.N.C.T.    (Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache with conjunctival injection and tearing) There is no cure but they can make you feel more comfortable. Best of Luck.

[erinexposedtomold]

I can relate to your issues. I'm 36 yr old mother of 3 and have had no issues ever. last 2 yrs it feels good to pluck hair out of my head, I have short term memory loss, at times a still neck with what feels like a rubber band or string that rapidly gets longer and ultimately ends up feeling like one side is connected to back of neck then attaches to front of my head. I have had mire weird symptoms in the past 2 months that made me seek treatment to see what's going on. prior to 2 months ago and my entire life I have always dealt with kids, stress, problems or hurdles life throws at me very easily. everyone would say they don't know how I do it all and still keep my cool. it was just me and I could easily handle numerous stressors on my shoulders and piling up. after the past 2 months I realized something is seriously wrong! If my kids whine it goes right through me, if I have a situation come up I am unsure how to deal or think even. I get so angry I just want to freak out and I don't even understand where its coming from. my thinking capability as well as coping skills disappeared now I get angry immediately. I get eye strain, sharp pains in my head, neck now suddenly my back. I have numb feet and arms/hands at times, brain aches, shocks, electrical shock feelings, movement I cannot explain but ill say its like a long string or snake inside making tunnels and connecting dots to make a path. sounds crazy I know. ... now started feeling pains and small shocks in my heart. I had ct scan with normal results. 2 weeks later, an MRI resulting in brain lesions,  white cell count is elevated. next is neuro appt.