Hi Everyone:
I was looking at an older thread about
Chronic Headaches.
I have had 2 MRIs of my head done. The first was looking for a reason for the headaches which first presented itself as pressure in my head. I went to Buffalo to get MRI done as the wait, at that time, in Canada was long. I so knew something was terribly wrong.
At first when I would lay down the pain would stop. When I got up the pain reappeared. A Neurologist wanted to rule out intercranial hypotension. At the time I was also getting tingling in my hands and numbness. He ruled out Carpel Tunnel but I do have it. I would encourage anyone who gets an MRI done to ask for a copy of the Technicians findings. I was told by my Doctors that they cannot see anything. I actually have the X-Rays as I had to pay for them. I of course needed to see the notes.
Years later I decided to try to obtain a copy of the report. The Neurolgist who requisitioned it passed away. I got a copy from the firm in Buffalo. The findings of the first and second MRI see hyperintense foci within white matter. There are about
8 of them. They ruled out infarct, hemorrhage and extra-axial collection. No evidence of ischemia. No mass lesion. They ruled out intracranial hypotension. I do have a small focally dialated perivascular space in the basal ganglia. They saw trace fluids within the mastoid air cells and slight mucosal thickening within the ethmoid sinuses.
The Technician suggested that foci such as these are often seen in patients with migraine headaches. It was not thought to be the same type of foci as seen in MS patients. Nothing was suggesting an inflammatory process.
My second MRI was requisitioned to try to see if there is a reason from my hearing loss. It sees several tiny foci of abnormal white matter mostly in subcortical regions of the frontal lobes. They measure less than 1 cm in size and there is no edema or mass effect. It stated that the nonspecific white matter changes. It may be related to small vessel ischemia or demyelination. A follow up was recommended but the Doctor did proceed with a follow up.
My Headache Doctor said to not worry about
the foci. If the headaches stop they will go away. They must be there still.
I also have had thorough investigation with my sinuses. I have a slight deviated septum.
I am sitting typing while in horrible pain. I caught a virus. I am coughing like crazy all day and night. My head is in so much pain. I have been prescribed Omnaris nasal spray that will take some time to work and a cough syrup. Drinking lots. The plan is to get things moving better. When I blow my nose I start coughing.
You feel a bit better if you know that even something small, not really meaningful to Doctors, is found that might contribute to pain.
I had 2 migraines with aura many years ago. I was on the pill. These headaches are not the same. They are more of a cervicogenic headache. Also, OA in my neck may be contributing to the pain.
I get nerve blocks every four weeks. Tried Lyrica. I thought for the Fibromyalgia but saw that it is used for migraines also. It didn't stop all the pain. Once off, I realized that it had helped some. Off due to weight gain. Topamax did not help. Had to stop Tylenol due to rebound headaches.
Loring
Osteoarthritis in Multiple joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...
Post Edited (Loring) : 10/16/2014 2:01:39 PM (GMT-6)