freaking out a little

pilgrim37 · 05-02-2011, 04:02 PM

Hi guys:
I have read your posts since 2009 but am writing my second post now. I was diagnosed as Stage III her2+ in Aug. 2009 & went thru 3 mos taxol & herceptin, bilateral mastectomy w/ axillary dissection, 3 mos AC chemo, and 5 weeks radiation. then herceptin till december 2010. A long road. At the end they said I had about 90% chance of no recurrence, which was wonderful.

However. I have been having morning headaches for about 6-8 weeks, 2-3 times a week. I called my onc today & we agreed I need a brain MRI. Not feeling too happy; actually very scared. Just sharing that b/c I know a lot of you have been in my shoes. Headache is first thing in the morning, dull ache, back of my head. It wakes me up an hour or two earlier than normal, and I have to get up b/c it hurts. It dissipates in 1/2 hour to 1 hour.....

So praying it is not a brain met......

sassy · 05-02-2011, 04:54 PM

Hey Pilgrim,

Can't offer any advice except try not to worry too much--easier said than done. Worry becomes our campanion when strange things go on.

Hope all turns out well--keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Jackie07 · 05-02-2011, 06:22 PM

Hi Pilgrim,

You might want to try use extra pillow(s) to lower the cranial pressure to get yourself some better quality sleep.

We will be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Do let us know about the MRI result. Before then, remember the saying: "When you hear hoofbeats, think of horses, not zebras." [There's a physiological reason behind it: positive thinking increases the release of endorphin which improves our immune ability to fight diseases and reduce pain...]

Barbara2 · 05-02-2011, 07:08 PM

Believe me your fears and concerns are very normal. It is good that you are doing the MRI, so you can rule out brain mets which will be a huge relief, and you will probably fewer headaches, too.

I agree with the pillow suggestion. Do you have one of those pillows that supports the neck and spine? It has a contoured shape with a "bump" on each side of the pillow; one "bump" is higher than the other. That is a wild description, but you may get the idea.

Without that pillow, I would have more morning headaches too, due to some arthritis in the vertebra. I also take it with me whenever I travel. But you don't need to have arthritis for it to be helpful.

Another suggestion...if you could list the history/pathology of your cancer along with your signiture, it may help others to be able to help your more.

Try not to worry and I hope you have your MRI soon.

BonnieR · 05-02-2011, 10:47 PM

I often wake with similar headaches which are relieved by morning caffine.
The fact that yours is just in the morning and dissapated when you get up suggests something "mechanical", like sleep position or nerve pressure, something like that. Just because we have cancer doesnt mean we dont get other ailments. The MRI will offer peace of mind. Although I had one once for some pressure on the side of my head and the radiologist "over read" the results scaring me half to death by suggesting I had multiple little hemmorages. Turns out the neurologist said it was normal for my age. So, sometimes we open a can of worms by having studies done....
Keep the faith.

pilgrim37 · 05-03-2011, 10:23 AM

Thanks so much, guys. Great suggestions re the pillows and horses! I will keep you posted on what happens...

ElaineM · 05-03-2011, 11:27 AM

A MRI is a good idea just to be on the safe side, but I think it is good to consider your sleeping position, pillows and the other things suggested.
I was waking up with a slight headache for awhile. A brain MRI found nothing. It turns out I had a little sinus infection and was I slightly dehydrated. So now I drink coconut water plus a big glass of water if I wake up with a slight headache and I feel a bit thirsty. It does the trick every time. I also keep a small cup of water next to me when I sleep and take a few sips if I wake up during the night.

SoCalGal · 05-03-2011, 05:30 PM

does not sound metish to me. just keep in mind that even if you have a splinter in your finger, the docs will go on a hunt and search to make sure it's not a splinter stuck in a cancer cell...in other words, they are always obligated to rule out the big C first. i have had periods of time where I suffered from headaches from hormonal changes - kind of migraine type that resolved with caffeine and some advil or tylenol. Dehydration can also create headaches. Have you started anything new, like yoga or have you been doing a lot of gardening or any other activity that could result in tight muscles creating morning headaches?

pilgrim37 · 05-04-2011, 09:46 AM

actually, no (and I love the word "metish"!), haven't been doing anything like that, but I am trying different pillow combos. I am hoping either that or a sleep study will help. My MRI is scheduled for Tuesday; I'll let you guys know what happens. Thanks for all the support!

Shobha · 05-05-2011, 09:45 AM

Hi there,

I too used to to have headaches in the mornings and of course went for a Brain MRI. The results were clean. This was in 2009. Then, very recently I had a spell of dizziness, and just the stress of it, caused my severe headaches and nausea, so you can imagine...I was out of my mind with fear. Well, thank god, another Brain MRI and all clean. It was diagnosed as Vertigo.

Good you are getting a MRI to get that peace of mind. Adding my prayers for your clean results.

hugs,
shobha

pilgrim37 · 05-11-2011, 12:52 PM

Thank God. I just got the results, and my brain MRI was clean. Thank you SO MUCH for all the support over the last week. I am so grateful to you ladies!!

caya · 05-11-2011, 07:18 PM

Great news Pilgrim.

all the best
caya

michka · 05-11-2011, 11:49 PM

Good news! Take care. Michka

JennyB · 05-12-2011, 03:27 AM

Hi Pilgrim,

I have just finished chemo and have got so paranoid by strange pains aches and mucscles along with headaches I phoned my onc for staging scans - I have them tomorrow, hopefully mine too will be Ned.

I was speaking to my breast care nurse and she suggested that it was probably a cumulative effect from all the chemo and the neulasta injections after each chemo but in her words breast cancer is the 'pink elephant' in the room and we tend to jump to the worst conclusion first!!

Hope you manage to cure the headaches,

Jenny

tricia keegan · 05-12-2011, 04:23 PM

So glad on your happy news!!

Lien · 05-13-2011, 12:11 AM

Great news! Now you have to go and find out what is causing your headaches. It could be lots of things, like bad posture when sleeping, allergies to something in your bedroom, like a new detergent you use for your sheets, lack of fresh air, a dirty airco system, food allergies, etc. etc.

Hope you find relief soon.

Love

Jacqueline

Mary Jo · 05-14-2011, 06:33 PM

This happens to me all the time. Back of head...wakes me up in the night. I get up, take 2 sudafed and 2 ipubrofen and late back down.....elevated pillows and it goes away. In my case it's sinus. I, too, had it checked out a few years ago. I'm fine.......

Catherine · 05-15-2011, 08:37 AM

Happy for clean MRI results and happy for all the other resolved pink elephant issues. I have 2 or 3 paranoias of my own. I am working on getting back into yoga, breathing, stretching and more exercise. Hampsters, horses and pink elephants...our own little zoo.

Hugs,