I have a headache, and I'm not sure why.

Published on December 14, 2004 By dharmagrl In Health & Medicine

I have a headache.

It's not a classic migraine. I'm not sure what it is, but it hurts like a sumbitch.

It started this morning.....it began with my right eye hurting, then getting a little fogged over...I can still see out of it, but it's like looking through slightly frosted glass. Then my temple and right forehead started to hurt, then the pain extended down the right side of my nose. I instinctively rubbed my right temple, and there's one 'sweet spot' there that, when I apply pressure to it, makes the sharp pains go away and I'm just left with the headache.

It was bad, it was constant and I had sharp stabbing pains for about half an hour...then it started to wear off. There was still some residual headache there, but the intensity and sharpness was gone. My vision got better as well.

Then, after a 2-3 hour respite, it came back, and lasted another hour or more before subsiding again.

Now, it's coming back. I had the eye fogginess before the pain really started this time. I've taken a migraine med that I have on hand, with not much relief, which makes me wonder if it's a migraine or not. I'm pretty much a classic migraineur, I get the aura before onset etc etc.....but this, this is different. I'm not puking, but I am queasy. light makes the sharp pain worse (which is why I'm going to back away from the computer as soon as I've posted this).

Whar the hell is wrong with me? This has happened 6 or 7 times over the past 2 weeks, but never this intense. I've heard about ocular migraines, could this be what's going on, what's causing my eye and head to hurt like this?

Anyone have any ideas?

Comments (Page 1)

BlueDev

on Dec 14, 2004

The pain starting in the eye and the localization to one side of the head make it sound a lot like a cluster headache. Cluster headaches are usually much more common in men, but not unheard of in women. Sadly, the only real treatment (which no one really understands) is pure oxygen. Seems to help. However, you can't really rule out a tension headache that is generated from the temple. Have you been drinking enough water? Frequent, painful, persistent headaches can often be the result of dehydration. It doesn't even need to be severe, just prolonged dehydration. Trying to hydrate, taking either some ibuprofen or Aleve, and some careful massage and stretching, particularly of the muscles on the right neck, shoulder area would be my first suggestions. Have you tried a warm cloth on the side of your head? That can increase blood flow and help reduce tension.

The couple of things that concern me are the vision changes. You aren't seeing any lights or increased "floaters" are you? The diminished vision in one eye can be significant for temporal arteritis. The first check would be to do a ESR or "sedimentation rate" (sed rate). This can be done with just a little bit of blood. If this is elevated that would lean me toward that as well.

I am not trying to scare at all, please don't think that. But the vision aspect of it, and the fact that it is different from your migraines and on the one side makes me a little more concerned. Might be worth making a call to a real doctor, not some internet quack like me

iamheather

on Dec 15, 2004

The couple of things that concern me are the vision changes. You aren't seeing any lights or increased "floaters" are you? The diminished vision in one eye can be significant for temporal arteritis. The first check would be to do a ESR or "sedimentation rate" (sed rate). This can be done with just a little bit of blood. If this is elevated that would lean me toward that as well.

I am not trying to scare at all, please don't think that. But the vision aspect of it, and the fact that it is different from your migraines and on the one side makes me a little more concerned. Might be worth making a call to a real doctor, not some internet quack like me

Yesterday, and today, I had similar headaches. Could it be a weather change? I am so sorry dharma. I can sympathize.

My headaches are preceded by white dots in my vision, similar to someone taking a flash picture right in front of your eyes. I always know the migraine is coming about 15-30 minutes later. All I know to do is take medicine and go to sleep.

Hope you feel better soon.

*hugs*

LadyCleve

on Dec 15, 2004

First off, I hope by the time you read this you will be feeling better. This summer I started having trouble with my eye and with headaches. Since I've had problems with an enlarged blindspot and shimmery vision for two summers running before that (it's weird, but it was only in the summer), I went to see an opthamologist. It was a little different this time, as we discovered that I have a small calcium deposit above the optic nerve in the back of my eye. More properly, the deposit is just above the blood vessel that runs on the top side of the optic nerve. I was told that any virus or infection I had that caused inflammation could cause the optic nerve to swell, pushing upwards against the calcium deposit, pinching off the blood vessel, causing the vessel to spasm, which would cause a migraine. I asked what could be done about it and was told basically, don't get sick. I'm mostly okay now, but at times it gets really bad.

I would definately follow Blue Dev's advice and see a doctor. Since it's affecting your vision, ask about an Opthamologist. And good luck!

lifehappens

on Dec 15, 2004

not some internet quack like me

But i like having my own internet quack on call! You are great! Thanks for always being willing to share info and offer advice!

Manopeace

on Dec 15, 2004

Anyone have any ideas?

See a doctor real soon sweetie.

alison watkins

on Dec 15, 2004

maybe it's stress. I agree with manopeace...go get it checked out.

Danny Bassette

on Dec 15, 2004

Headaches are no fun. I hope yours goes away and you feel better soon.

Myrrander

on Dec 15, 2004

dharma>>

I hope that you get to feeling better, the headache is the most insidious of things.

Drop me a line sometime if you want: mroberts36@hotmail.com

I'll keep popping about to say hello to you!

*hugs*

Phoenixboi

on Dec 15, 2004

Hey Dharma you feeling any better?
Hope your ok!

dharmagrl

on Dec 15, 2004

I went to the doc today.

3 hours and 2 shots later, I got to come home.

I have an opthalmic migraine. I have to get a CT scan done after Christmas, just to be safe.

I'm looking into the benefits of Feverfew and Kava Kava as prophylactic and rescue remedies. I don't like taking synthetic meds if natural ones will do.

Thanks for all the responses, I'll get back to you when I'm felling more like myself.

SSG Geezer

on Dec 15, 2004

I think a cup of Java will do as much for you as the Kava Kava. Natural does not neccessarily mean safer due to formulations of unknown strength.
Hope the shots worked.

dharmagrl

on Dec 15, 2004

Natural does not neccessarily mean safer due to formulations of unknown strength.

I had the very same conversation with my doc earlier. He volunteered to approve the stuff I take if I show him the bottle....which I thought was very nice.

The shots...worked, yes. Hopefull I won't have to repeat.

BlueDev

on Dec 15, 2004

Glad you got feeling better dharma!

Danny Bassette

on Dec 15, 2004

I'm glad the shots worked

Gabs

on Jan 02, 2005

Aww poor u
Migraines suck so bad
I have one that Ive had for 2 days but mine is really just throbbing temples which are continously throbbing

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