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Headaches/Short-term memory loss

This is related to my girlfriend's health as we are both worried and waiting for an opinion from a GP at the moment. My girlfriend is 21 years of age and not on any medication except the Cileste contraceptive pill, (which she has been for almost a year).

For the last 4-5 weeks she has had constant headaches and they appear to be getting worse as each day passes. Ibuprofen has little or no effect, neither does paracetomol.

She has also been suffering, for the same amount of time, with short-term memory loss to the point that she forgets what she is trying to say halfway through a sentence or conversation, will completely forget what we are watching on television during a 3-minute advert break, she also becomes confused very easily recently.

She is an articulate and intelligent woman and is very upset and scared at the moment, she knows this is not just "being a little forgetful". As I said, she has been to a GP who says they need to get an opinion from someone else before deciding what to do, this has us both very worried. Can anyone else maybe shed some light on the situation..?
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Avatar universal
Hello, did your girlfriend ever get a diagnosis?
Helpful - 0
675316 tn?1234215095
hi, did they do any mri yet , i have simular problem but with many other problems it could be hormonal stuff going on too . hormones affect alot of things . does she have other problem beside headache and memory? digestive , or something else
Helpful - 0
539750 tn?1226521677
Depending on what part of the brain she is getting the headache she could have a range of symptoms.  When you get a headache or migraine (I am no expert) your blood vessles swell and so depending on the location this could put pressure on her short term memory sensors and be causing the disruption...but again, I am no expert.  She does need a scan and/or MRI done!

The first time I got a migraine my vision got blurry and the doctors thought I was having a stroke...
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Avatar universal
Hi Helpme,

Thank you for your reply, I really appreciate it. Although I am obviously sorry to hear that you are still waiting to find a treatment that works, I am also glad to hear that keeping the diary got you somewhere. We will stick with it before pushing for a scan.

I wish you all the best and thank you once again, your response has really reassured us both. Good luck to you too, I hope you find a treatmeant that helps you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi there, I got a headache in May, and unfortunately I still have it.  It came on very suddenly and at first I thought it was something sinister.  I have found out that headache is rarely a symptom of something very bad, but I have not had any short term memory loss as far as I am aware.  I received a CT scan on 1st Sep (4 months after they started) after keeping a diary.  I think this is general protocol.  Try not to worry (easier said than done I know).  I have since been diagnosed with chronic migraine but up to now have not found a treatment that helps :-(.  Good luck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
See we are based int he UK so the scan we would eventually get would be on the NHS but if it's going to be weeks before she gets offered one, i'm tempted just to pay the money and get a scan done straight away privately.

Am i getting ahead of myself though? is there any benefit to waiting and doing the diary?
Helpful - 0
674737 tn?1226539884
I would be demanding a scan ASAP!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Just to let anyone who has been reading this know; the doctor has gotten back in touch with us and asked my girlfriend to keep a headache diary and a diary (as best as is possible) of when she forgets things for two weeks, at which point she needs to go back to find out if she needs a scan.

Maybe I panicking too much but surely with neurological problems, time is of the essence..? Why not just do the scan anyway? What is the tangible need for the diary?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Trish, thank you for commenting, i really do appreciate it.

We did both recently get tested for all STDs without reason, just as general precaution and all tests came back negative, plus neither of us have ever had any of the physical symptoms such as skin problems, legions, etc. We have no reason to think we should have contracted it since the tests were done as we are in a monogamus relationship and have been for almost 18months.

I do thank-you for your suggestions though, every little helps, and we both appreciate your concern.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi did she get tested for stds i know you might think noway but syphilis can cause alot of neurological problems. Have her tested and you too. Then she might have to be put on a different contraceptive. They can give her a different one,just tell them about her problems.ok I hoped i helped you somehow let me know what happens ok
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Avatar universal
We still have no answer from our doctor, please help someone!
Helpful - 0
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