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Avatar universal

Strange headache, looking for some imformation. Thank you

Hi, I would like to start off by saying thank you for taking your time to read this. I am a 24 year old male, working in the automotive field as a technician. Going back Now to early OCT-09 I started having a very strange headache which would come and go. It would start on the top center or my head and move around. Mild- moderate amount of pain usually in spike and wasn't constant, they come and go. I started getting nervous since this was going on for 4 days and not letting off. I ended up making an appointment with my doctor about 5 days into the headache in which I wasn't taking any mediciation because the pain wasn't that great.

Did an exam, and came about the conclusion that I have a tension headache which is also influenced by my stress and anxiety which lead later on to a panic attack and depression.. Those last symptoms happend after he explained I would under go an MRI exam, after explaining the just incase there are no "Brain tumors" Being 23 at the time and having a form of hypochondria I thought to myself I would shortly die. I ended up pushing the MRI exam because of the fears I was having. I started falling apart pretty quick.. 2 days later I was having mouth pains, fully knowing I had all 4 wisdom teeth and in which the lowers were impacted and started the "Crowding effect".

I went to an oral surgen and he suggested your headaches may be caused by your teeth being impacted and that I may have minor TMJ symptoms as in clicking of the jaw and minor pain at the jaw area right below the ears. I ended up going for blood/urine work which were all good. Blood pressure for the past 2 years has always been around 80/120 or 70/110. Went for the MRI just seconds before a panic attack, which waiting 4 days for results were enough to give me a heart attack. Results came back as NEG. I was thrilled, extremely happy in which I felt the world lifted off my shoulders.

I had all 4 wisdom teeth removed which that alone was an adventure. Now about a month and 1/2 after the MRI and teeth work, I had a minor accident at work. Breaker bar slipped on the bolt and ended up hitting my left cheek (80% of the blow) and a bit over from my eye (20% of the blow). I never blacked out, I was a bit dazzed more upset than anything. I had glasses on as well which left a minor sore on my nose because of the hit. About 24 hours into it I started having a headache, Nothing unusual.. Start's off always on the right top side of the head to the right side of head as well. It would jump over acting more like a tension headache and would come and go mild to moderate pain. Eh, thinking nothing to fear I kept working. Well 5 days into this headache I said to myself ok, this can't be good. Went to the doctor again did a full exam, temp ok, blood pressure perfect, no ear infection, nothing wrong with my eyes ect.

He suggested we do a quick CT scan to rule out anything again. Feeling nervous and starting to have a panic attack again because the last thing I want to know if there is something wrong in my head.. We do a CT scan and I wait for the results in the waiting room. About 20 min's later the doctor say, you will be ok. There was no bleeding or anything abnormal. You are suffering from a minor concussion.. In which I asked did you see any tumors or anything (Being a really nervous nelly) He said no, everything is good. Today is the 2nd day from that exam which makes this a total of 8 days with a mild headache always on the right side of my head and sometimes jumps to the other side. Question is, am I just going nuts fearing the worse for no reason, how long will this take to pass over? I would like to go back to the gym for cardio but I don't want to put any pressure on my head if it will make matters worse. There is still a bit of pain on my cheek if I press on it.. Also I was told the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body so an injury on the left side of the face can result in headaches on the right side?

-Mild headaches (Start on right side, tends to move to left eye and left temple at times)
-CT-MRI done within 45 days from each other nothing found
-Blood-urine work came back good
-Blood pressure is excellent
-Minor dizzy feeling at times
-Feeling depressed at times
-Having anxiety feelings
-Not taking any mediciation for the pain
-Starting to give myself an upset stomach.

Thank you for reading.
7 Responses
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Avatar universal
**Correction, started having nightmare of these damn headaches**

Woke up this morning feeling hungry but not sick and without a headache occurance. (Yet)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi once again, Thank you for your reply!

Don't know if this is serious or not but throwing it out there.. the past 2 nights ive been having the headache.. It starts on the right top back side of the head then it can jump to the left side temple to my right side temple. My neck and shoulders have been sore, with a warm shower they loosen up and not hurt as much. Last night I kept a heat pad on my neck while watching some T.V. in which it helped intill I took it off and went to sleep.

I close my eyes and get this feeling that are racing  or moving around. I also get flashes of fatigue while trying to sleep in which it doesn't even help me because it just keeps me up. Last night I was on and off and experienced a mild headache about 5-6 times, then started dreaming about nightmares in which that didn't help either. What bothers me the most is that I feel there is something underlying here other than a minor concusion or a tension headache. Though all test's show there is nothing wrong in my head and nothing wrong with blood pressure or blood work. I think since it's been 50 days since the last blood work I should go and get another one done.

I will keep you all updated, this is starting to win over me hahaha.
Helpful - 0
547368 tn?1440541785
If you return to the gym I would take it slow. By keeping your activity low a few more days you may avoid aggravating the concussion symptoms.

A good neck massage may help loosen your tense muscles, thus easing your headache.

Good luck and keep us posted.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for your reply it was greatly appreciated.

Truth be told I started feeling nausted today and now being the end of the day I actually have a moderate stomach virus.. Delt with a few times before in my life so I already know the ropes on this lol. My headaches are starting to fade and at this point it's more tension pain to be honest. My neck hurts a bit and tilting my head down will make those muscles in my neck tense. At this point it's not headache type pain but more or less tired or sore muscles? I guess you can still consider it to be a "headache".

I am more concern about If I should go back to the gym or still wait. It ***** to be honest because I just paid 3 months worth of a membership which is non refundable. I don't like lifting weights, I am more of a cardio person and working up a sweat. I guess if I go, I should just take it down a few steps and not work out as hard? Today will make approx. 9 days since ive had a headache in which at this point it's very mild and doesn't occur as much.

Therapy helps, so I am very thankful of having insurance because without it boy I would really be SOL with a lot of my doctor visits. Not sure if this matters but throwing it up there, I had plantar warts on both feet for a few years. I was going to a specialist in which they were doing laser surgery 2x a month. By far it was one of the most painful things ive done. Treatment has been done with for the past 4 months and I'm still clear of any warts. During each visit they would check my blood pressure and run a quick visual exam and I would always come out in good health.

Back in October when these headaches 1st started and it was thought to have been because of my impacted wisdom teeth, I had gone to my dermatologist for a full body exam because I was getting nervous over 2 new moles Ive spotted on my face and arm. She told me there is nothing wrong with me everything looks good. Blood pressure once again was taken during the visit and again all was well. So within the past 7 months ive had gone to a podiatrist, dermatologist, orthodontist surgen, therapist, radioalogist and my primary medical doctors.. Talk about getting looked at  from every direction. I was diagnosed with IBS because I do get an upset stomach with eatting outside of my house.

Knock on wood, and thank you god! I am still in good health (other than minor stomach pains right now and neck pains haha). Ive also started praying every night since October, and started going back to church every Sunday. You know sometimes you just need a little faith to pull you through and asking God for strength, thanking God for another day makes me feel better. Thank you guys for taking your time to help me out, there's nothing more comforting then reading positive things to help keep your mind at ease.




Helpful - 0
547368 tn?1440541785
Hello and Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum.

Headaches can and often are elusive to diagnosis. I suffered a concussion last summer. I like you thought nothing of it initially. Than as the day wore on the top of my head began to throb so much that it effected my vision and made me nauseated.  

This went on for about four days with no change. My PCP would not see me until I had an MRI. Of course it was negative. The symptoms lasted almost 2 weeks. I had no brain bleed, no subdural hematoma, nothing. I would not have guessed that a concussion could be so symptomatic.  I was told by two physicians that the symptoms can last for up to six months.

There are many things that can cause headaches. It's anyone guess what may have caused yours in the past. I think your physician is correct that this one is most likely caused by a concussion.

Because you admit to having stress and anxiety issues your headaches my very well be related to that. I think you are wise to so just what you are doing, see your therapist, try to eat healthy and avoid things that make you headaches worse. You may want to keep a daily journal of the things you eat and drink, the smells you come in contact with, the activities that you are involved in, your stress levels and the like. On those same dates record and rate your headache or head pain in detail. This will allow you to look back and possibly draw some conclusions.

I wish you the best. I hope you will keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. I am glad that you took the time to post. Take care and best of luck to you.

Peace,
Tuck
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Avatar universal
Thank you for your reply it was greatly appreciated.

I work in a private shop, away from airports but in a busy area. I do not smoke however we have a co-worker who does. He is with us for 2 1/2 days out of the week. I tend to keep away from him as possible due to the fact I hate the smell of cigs. As far as my eyes are concerned, I did go for a check up 6 months ago.. A full check-up and other than having some floaters and being nearsighted my perscription didn't changed. The number of floaters in my eyes have generally been the same if not maybe two or three more floaters since being a kid.

I personally hate my job with a passion and actually go to a therapist to help me with my issuses with work or daily life. I compaired to most of my age group carry a lot of worries and stress. Always worried about making it on my own, will I always have a job, when I have kids will I be able to put them through college and provide food on the table. I rarely have the time to go out and just enjoy things because it ends up being about money and money in which I rather save for a rainy day or for the when it's time to move out deal.. I know being 24 I shouldn't think about these things and to be honest I have no idea why I do. I am a nervous nelly in life, always scared about something and most of it is out of my control.

I do enjoy eating the "Not so healthy" things, however I am currently on a diet in which I am cutting down on eating as often as I do. Because of being stressed food is my unfortunate comfort.. Now I am currently on a strick 3-4 day meal and drinking more water. If I am out with friends or at my wonderful ladies house I usually drink Ice-Tea or pepsi. At work and at my house hold I drink water, approx 4 med sized bottles a day given on the amount of work load and weather conditions.

As far as the astigmatism is concerned, your probably right. I sit infront of a computer for 4 hours a day give or take, in which I tend to suffer from CVS (Computer vision syndrome) but however notice my vision tends to blur a bit in which if i blink or move my eye it's back to normal. Rarely happens but it does usually more when I am tired. I also have noticed I grind my teeth while sleeping.. No idea why and when trying to sleep while being nervous and thinking the worse I tend to move around a lot, and my eye's might jump around which will result in just 4-5 hours of sleep instead of 6-7.

I will try some vit. B and let you know what's going on. I got the MRI + CT photos today and again they told me nothing to worry about, even though I still have a minor headache.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
First of all you said you work as an auto mechanic. Could you be exposed to environmental smells that are causing the headaches.  Do you live or work near an airport of where planes are built? I had just read rocket fuel is in our water and casuing to many different things.  
Do you smoke or are you around smokers? Do you drink soda or consume sugar in energy drinks or candy?  All of this can cause low grade headaches like you are describing.  Also headaches can originate from the neck. Perhaps stress and tension just from the way you are holding your neck and posture at work.  Icing your neck at night with a small ice pack can really help calm blood vessels.  Also frontal head pain can be from eye strain so have your eyes checked. You might have astigmatism. Also hunger can cause headaches.
Taking calcium and magnesium, Coenzyme Q10, Vitamin B complex are very helpful for headaches.  
There are things called "affirmations" create one for yourself. Saying something like "I am well, safe and healthy" may ease your fears and worries.  Please try to stop worrying about your health.  It may be a sign that something else is bothering you or coming up in your life.  Like are you happy with your job, or your relationships.  Often when we are worried in other areas of our lives we can have stress reactions like headaches, worry and even panic attacks.  I too have panic attacks from post traumatic  stress. I do see a counselor and take a mediction occassionally for it.  
The first thing I would do if I were you is try to control these headaches.
Eat small meals, eat protein so turkey-a turkey sandwich, avoid nuts, peanut butter.  There are certain foods that can cause headaches, look them up.  But don't let yourself get overly hungry.  Also drink a lot of water throughout the day. If you are dehydrated you will get a headache.
I hope this helps.
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