No history of migraines but recent, severe headaches

[busy_professional]

Hello,

When it rains, it pours. I'm 40, F, in good health, and this week, out of the blue, I have two severe headaches that are blindingly painful with extreme light sensitivity. Light is blurring my vision. No history of headaches other than tension headaches which are about 1/10th as painful as these, and they are truly infrequent. One came on after taking a very short (1/2 mile) hike. Both have put me in a dark room, wincing in pain, for days. The pain is just exploding. I am not even sure if they're really two or the same headache. The headache is bilateral. It's really all over my head. I can actually see the pulse beating on my temples and arteries in the mirror, which is not normal. Temperature is normal. Not nauseous.

I'm already on propanol for an unrelated issue. I've also been having an absolute grab bag of other neurological issues and was at the neurologist just today, but I didn't dare mention the headache because of all else going on. I just can't seem to get rid of it though. Two aspirin, two tylenol, and two advil tonight didn't even touch it.

Does this sound like a migraine? The photophobia had me wondering since I've absolutely never had this before in my entire life. Are there other kinds of headaches that cause light sensitivity? Is there anything else I can try at home to treat this?

[AKC_75]

Try the Excedrin instead of Advil.

[Ball123]

Yes, that could be the cause.

If the headaches come back it might be worth to have a ct scan or better yet a mri.

[busy_professional]

Hello,

I wound up telling the doctors about it. They thought it was post-concussion syndrome since I had a bad concussion a few months ago and no history of migraine before. I think it's a migraine-type headache too, but apparently brought on by a concussion from a few months ago, which I did not even think of when I posted this. The doctor didn't give me any medication and said it would eventually get better, just take advil. I have not had another headache, fortunately.

[Ball123]

You should definitely mention the headache to your doctor. He/she needs to know all your symptoms.

This could be a migraine, it could also be something more serious. Your blood pressure is too high, which could be caused by the pain, by some unrelated issue or it could be an indicator that your headache is caused by some underlying condition (other than migraine).

The exploding character is common with migraine but could also be a warning flag. The same with the light sensitivity.

I also don't like that you described this as a new type of headache, when you are 38 years old. That is also a bit of a warning flag. New types of headache usually don't appear this late in life, although it can happen.

So there are a few things here that concern me.

Hopefully you have your answers by now, otherwise I suggest you try to get a diagnosis sooner rather than later.

I don't know your neurological symptoms since you didn't write about them. But the things I am worrying about here is pressure changes inside the head (not blood pressure), called intracranial hypertension, the most common causes of which are chiari malformations, dural sinus stenosis, subdural hematomas and the list goes on. The least common cause is brain tumor, but perhaps the scariest one on the other hand.

If you could get a MRI of your brain all these things could hopefully be ruled out at once and that would at least make you and your doctor feel a bit safer about this.

Take care!

[CBIsraeloffOD]

Light sensitivity is very common with Migraine. This does sound like a migraine. It could have been triggered by dehydration from the hike. Make sure you drink plently of water. If this happens again it would be worthwhile to try to figure out what your triggers are for headache.

[AKC_75]

Try the steps I listed above. Especially number 6. You will be surprised how well it works.

[Linafaith]

I have severe migraine headaches too. I have them so bad that I vomit..have episodes of confusion and they hang on for 3 days. Im 42 yrs old and been to Drs and they tell me to take meds to control it before they happen. Havent had much luck. Wish you the best.

[AKC_75]

Hi and welcome to the Migraines & Headaches Community.

It is normal for BP and pulse to be elevated when you are in pain.

You most definitely should have told the doctor about the headaches...never ever hold back on symptoms or they could misdiagnose you!! I recommend you call and talk to your doctor's nurse and let them know and then if they want to see you again go in. In the meantime here are some over-the-counter tips that may help. If none of these help and you have your headache for 7 days straight, see the doctor!!

1. There are several symptoms of migraines and what causes the pain of a migraine is the blood vessels in your brain become dilated. So, 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.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[busy_professional]

Shoot, I should mention my blood pressure, since that was taken in-office today: it was a bit high for me, since mine's usually low (around 100/60 normally). It was 160/69, which I think is elevated, but I'm not too sure. My heart rate was slightly fast too at 94 bpm. The doctor did not comment on it. I thought I should add that in there though.