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Old 11-22-2017, 08:10 AM   #1
thinkpositive
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: San Diego
Posts: 411
Thunderclap headaches anybody?

Hello everybody,

I'm 4 1/2 years out since my diagnosis. Since I was er/pr negative, my onc told me that if I make it to 5 years without any recurrence then my chances of being "cured" are very high. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to that day!

My concern is that I just recently started getting these "thunderclap" headaches. These are headaches that come on all of a sudden and are the worst headaches ever. I felt like my head was going to explode both times I experienced these. Both times I was lifting weights in a class at the Y. I was in so much pain I had to leave in the middle of class. I rarely get headaches at all and certainly never ones like this!

I went to the doctor yesterday and they are going to do a CT scan of my head to make sure I don't have a mass of some kind in my brain. I'm hopeful that it isn't but just wondering if any of you have experienced anything similar.

Take care,
Brenda
__________________
8/2013 Diagnosed IDC Left Breast ER-/PR-/HER2+ Stage 3C, DCIS ER+/PR+/HER2- Right Breast (54 yr)
8/2013 PET/CT scan shows mass in uterues and suprclavicular nodes
8/20/13 Begin 6 rounds TCH chemo, Perjeta added for rounds 4-6
9/2013 After 1st round of chemo, mass in neck and breast no longer able to feel
11/2013 Hysterectomy, mass from PET/CT scan not cancer (adenomylosis)
12/2013 Finished chemo
1/2014 Double mastectomy with chest expanders
1/2014 Pathology report from surgery and SNB show complete pathological response!
3/2014 Finish IMRT radiation
8/2014 Fat transfer to radiated breast
8/2014 Completed 1 yr of Herceptin
10/2014 exchange surgery expanders removed implants placed
6/2015 3D nipple and areola tattoos
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Old 11-22-2017, 03:04 PM   #2
Laurel
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Location: Hershey, PA. Live The Sweet Life!
Posts: 2,005
Re: Thunderclap headaches anybody?

Brenda,

It is interesting to me that both times you experienced your headache onset it was during a session of weight lifting. If your CT is negative, and I am believing it will be, then perhaps it is something that places pressure on a spinal nerve during the weight lifting exercise. I have cervical spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the space where the spinal cord runs through the vertebrae of the neck, secondary to a whiplash injury years ago. Perhaps you have an old spinal injury, lumbar region is very common, and the weights are further compressing your vertebra causing disc compression that crowds the spinal cord.

We always jump to the cancer-cause, and rightly so as it is the elephant in our rooms, however I think it will prove to be another issue unrelated to cancer.

Please let us know what the scan shows.
__________________

Smile On!
Laurel


Dx'd w/multifocal DCIS/IDS 3/08
7mm invasive component
Partial mast. 5/08
Stage 1b, ER 80%, PR 90%, HER-2 6.9 on FISH
0/5 nodes
4 AC, 4 TH finished 9/08
Herceptin every 3 weeks. Finished 7/09
Tamoxifen 10/08. Switched to Femara 8/09
Bilat SPM w/reconstruction 10/08
Clinical Trial w/Clondronate 12/08
Stopped Clondronate--too hard on my gizzard!
Switched back to Tamoxifen due to tendon pain from Femara

15 Years NED
I think I just might hang around awhile....

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Old 11-22-2017, 03:51 PM   #3
thinkpositive
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: San Diego
Posts: 411
Re: Thunderclap headaches anybody?

Laurel,

I hope that you are right that this is not related to cancer at all. I'm thinking that it does have something to do with the neck also and isn't cancer. My biggest fear in this whole cancer ordeal is brain mets. Trying to remain positive and hopeful.

Thanks for chiming in. I will keep you posted on the results.

Take care,
Brenda
__________________
8/2013 Diagnosed IDC Left Breast ER-/PR-/HER2+ Stage 3C, DCIS ER+/PR+/HER2- Right Breast (54 yr)
8/2013 PET/CT scan shows mass in uterues and suprclavicular nodes
8/20/13 Begin 6 rounds TCH chemo, Perjeta added for rounds 4-6
9/2013 After 1st round of chemo, mass in neck and breast no longer able to feel
11/2013 Hysterectomy, mass from PET/CT scan not cancer (adenomylosis)
12/2013 Finished chemo
1/2014 Double mastectomy with chest expanders
1/2014 Pathology report from surgery and SNB show complete pathological response!
3/2014 Finish IMRT radiation
8/2014 Fat transfer to radiated breast
8/2014 Completed 1 yr of Herceptin
10/2014 exchange surgery expanders removed implants placed
6/2015 3D nipple and areola tattoos
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Old 11-22-2017, 04:14 PM   #4
Becky
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Re: Thunderclap headaches anybody?

This happened to me. During personal training for weight lifting. It's horrible and horrifying. I too had a CT scan and all was well. The cause is not breathing while lifting. It seems natural to not breathe during the lift part but you have to concentrate on breathing. Otherwise you tense and tense your head hard. It's the tensing muscles and low oxygen when doing it. I should have mentioned it to my trainer. He knew exactly what it was and yell at me to breathe after that.

I got the scan to be safe and so should you but you will see it's nothing. If you go to a gym, ask a trainer about this and they will confirm what I explained. Relax and breathe.

Hugs to you.
__________________
Kind regards

Becky

Found lump via BSE
Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45
1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side)
2 micromets to sentinel node
Stage 2A
left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg
lumpectomies 9/7/04
4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol
Used Leukine instead of Neulasta
35 rads on right side only
4/05 started Tamoxifen
Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to
trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations
Oophorectomy 8/05
Started Arimidex 9/05
Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06
Arimidex Only
Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia

NED 18 years!

Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"
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Old 11-23-2017, 06:57 AM   #5
thinkpositive
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: San Diego
Posts: 411
Re: Thunderclap headaches anybody?

Thanks Becky! Your post certainly relieved a great deal of stress. My doctor did mention that it could be due to not breathing correctly while lifting. I'm hoping that is all it is.

Take care,
Brenda
__________________
8/2013 Diagnosed IDC Left Breast ER-/PR-/HER2+ Stage 3C, DCIS ER+/PR+/HER2- Right Breast (54 yr)
8/2013 PET/CT scan shows mass in uterues and suprclavicular nodes
8/20/13 Begin 6 rounds TCH chemo, Perjeta added for rounds 4-6
9/2013 After 1st round of chemo, mass in neck and breast no longer able to feel
11/2013 Hysterectomy, mass from PET/CT scan not cancer (adenomylosis)
12/2013 Finished chemo
1/2014 Double mastectomy with chest expanders
1/2014 Pathology report from surgery and SNB show complete pathological response!
3/2014 Finish IMRT radiation
8/2014 Fat transfer to radiated breast
8/2014 Completed 1 yr of Herceptin
10/2014 exchange surgery expanders removed implants placed
6/2015 3D nipple and areola tattoos
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Old 11-23-2017, 07:04 AM   #6
Becky
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
Re: Thunderclap headaches anybody?

I think it is. Rest easy. You will see all is well.
__________________
Kind regards

Becky

Found lump via BSE
Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45
1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side)
2 micromets to sentinel node
Stage 2A
left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg
lumpectomies 9/7/04
4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol
Used Leukine instead of Neulasta
35 rads on right side only
4/05 started Tamoxifen
Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to
trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations
Oophorectomy 8/05
Started Arimidex 9/05
Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06
Arimidex Only
Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia

NED 18 years!

Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"
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Old 11-26-2017, 05:26 AM   #7
MaineRottweilers
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Posts: 570
Re: Thunderclap headaches anybody?

Brenda, I have no experience at all with the headaches but plenty of experience with worry. I know exactly where you are and how you are feeling and while the posts above bring great relief, there's still that nagging anxiety, "what if". I refuse to believe anything but the two possibilities above but I will be holding my breath with you until we get the all clear CT.
Love and hugs, Tracy
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Old 11-26-2017, 04:42 PM   #8
Laurel
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Location: Hershey, PA. Live The Sweet Life!
Posts: 2,005
Re: Thunderclap headaches anybody?

Hey Brenda! I like Becky's theory! Not breathing during lifting? Who'd have thunk it????
__________________

Smile On!
Laurel


Dx'd w/multifocal DCIS/IDS 3/08
7mm invasive component
Partial mast. 5/08
Stage 1b, ER 80%, PR 90%, HER-2 6.9 on FISH
0/5 nodes
4 AC, 4 TH finished 9/08
Herceptin every 3 weeks. Finished 7/09
Tamoxifen 10/08. Switched to Femara 8/09
Bilat SPM w/reconstruction 10/08
Clinical Trial w/Clondronate 12/08
Stopped Clondronate--too hard on my gizzard!
Switched back to Tamoxifen due to tendon pain from Femara

15 Years NED
I think I just might hang around awhile....

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Old 11-28-2017, 06:50 AM   #9
thinkpositive
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: San Diego
Posts: 411
Re: Thunderclap headaches anybody?

Thank you all for your replies. My CT scan came back perfectly normal! What a relief it was. The doctor does believe that it is due to not breathing properly. I will really have to concentrate on proper technique and breathing in the future.

Thanks again for your support and replies.

Take care,
Brenda
__________________
8/2013 Diagnosed IDC Left Breast ER-/PR-/HER2+ Stage 3C, DCIS ER+/PR+/HER2- Right Breast (54 yr)
8/2013 PET/CT scan shows mass in uterues and suprclavicular nodes
8/20/13 Begin 6 rounds TCH chemo, Perjeta added for rounds 4-6
9/2013 After 1st round of chemo, mass in neck and breast no longer able to feel
11/2013 Hysterectomy, mass from PET/CT scan not cancer (adenomylosis)
12/2013 Finished chemo
1/2014 Double mastectomy with chest expanders
1/2014 Pathology report from surgery and SNB show complete pathological response!
3/2014 Finish IMRT radiation
8/2014 Fat transfer to radiated breast
8/2014 Completed 1 yr of Herceptin
10/2014 exchange surgery expanders removed implants placed
6/2015 3D nipple and areola tattoos
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Old 11-28-2017, 07:29 AM   #10
Becky
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
Re: Thunderclap headaches anybody?

Yes!!!

Hugs to you
__________________
Kind regards

Becky

Found lump via BSE
Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45
1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side)
2 micromets to sentinel node
Stage 2A
left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg
lumpectomies 9/7/04
4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol
Used Leukine instead of Neulasta
35 rads on right side only
4/05 started Tamoxifen
Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to
trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations
Oophorectomy 8/05
Started Arimidex 9/05
Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06
Arimidex Only
Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia

NED 18 years!

Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"
Becky is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-29-2017, 06:52 AM   #11
jra40
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Pittsburgh, PA.
Posts: 260
Re: Thunderclap headaches anybody?

Wonderful news! Maybe try yoga once or twice a week to get some breathing techniques?
__________________
11/17/10 - Diagnosed with 4.5cm tumor in right breast, IDC, Stage 2, Nuclear grade 2, ER+ PR+ HER2+
12/13/10 - Lymph node biopsy - negative
12/28/10 - Started neo-adjuvant treatment along with clinical trial with 4 rounds of AC chemo every 3 weeks
3/15/11 - Began weekly Taxol/Herceptin infusions along with 750mg of Tykerb taken by mouth daily
6/28/11 - Finished last cycle of Taxol
7/27/11 - Breast MRI shows tumor has dissolved, remarkable reaction to chemo
8/31/11 - Lumpectomy, Sentinel Node biopsy. Node negative, clear margins, 7mm of cancer left over from chemo.
10/05/11 - Started radiation, 5 days a week for 7 weeks.
11/8/11 - Finished radiation
3/21/12 - Last Herceptin!
3/26/12 - Port removed!
Tamoxifen for 5 years
8/4/15 - Hysterectomy & bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Due to large fibroids. No cancer!
8/8/15 - Started Arimidex
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Old 11-30-2017, 01:31 PM   #12
MaineRottweilers
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Posts: 570
Re: Thunderclap headaches anybody?

Fabuuuuulous!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Old 12-05-2017, 06:52 AM   #13
thinkpositive
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: San Diego
Posts: 411
Re: Thunderclap headaches anybody?

Thanks everybody for your responses. I do need to focus more on my breathing. Funny thing is that I do yoga on a regular basis. Guess I just havent't mastered the breathing.

Take care everybody. Stay well!

Brenda
__________________
8/2013 Diagnosed IDC Left Breast ER-/PR-/HER2+ Stage 3C, DCIS ER+/PR+/HER2- Right Breast (54 yr)
8/2013 PET/CT scan shows mass in uterues and suprclavicular nodes
8/20/13 Begin 6 rounds TCH chemo, Perjeta added for rounds 4-6
9/2013 After 1st round of chemo, mass in neck and breast no longer able to feel
11/2013 Hysterectomy, mass from PET/CT scan not cancer (adenomylosis)
12/2013 Finished chemo
1/2014 Double mastectomy with chest expanders
1/2014 Pathology report from surgery and SNB show complete pathological response!
3/2014 Finish IMRT radiation
8/2014 Fat transfer to radiated breast
8/2014 Completed 1 yr of Herceptin
10/2014 exchange surgery expanders removed implants placed
6/2015 3D nipple and areola tattoos
thinkpositive is offline   Reply With Quote
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