Headaches

[Rendi69CA]

I been waking up out of my sleep every night for a week with a headache. I will take a ibuprofen 800mg and I will go back to sleep and wake up everything is fine. Thursday morning I woke up (4:15am) again out of my sleep and I took a pill. I try to go back to sleep and no luck. At 6:30am I took another. It didn't stop. I called my nurse (12noon) to tell her and she took me to take a percocet. I laid down and went to sleep and woke up in pain. I had an appointment at 2pm and the doctor order me a brain scan. I had my treatment and I been up since 2am no headache. I am a little worried.

If you have or had brain mets what did you experience?
Thanks.

Rendi

[Gerri]

Hi Rendi,

This question is timely for me. I am headache prone and also have migraines (under control now). However, lately I noticed that I have been waking up at night with a headache or have one in the morning when I get up. They continue throughout the day. Today is such a day. I woke up with a headache, took Excedrin, and still feel pretty crappy. I have been passing this all off just regular headaches, but now I am getting worried too. I see my onc on Oct 17, and will probably talk to her about this and request a brain MRI (I’ve never had one).

I hope others respond, because I would love to see what symptoms they may have had. I know that several of the members find brain mets just through routine MRI (without symptoms), but maybe others have experienced symptoms.

Be sure and let us know your results.

All my best,

[Vi Schorpp]

I have not had any experience with this, but wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you.

[ElaineM]

I am so sorry you have been having headaches. I hope you and your docs can solve the mystery, so you can get some relief.

[Jackie07]

Doctors always order MRI (or CT scan) when there's a complaint about 'recurrent headaches' and 'wake-up headaches'. You are probably dreaded for anything possibly be showing on the MRI.

Remember though, we have several members on the board who have beat even brain mets. The fact that you have been so strong in fighting this disease is going to help you to beat whatever that might be showing on the MRI. However, there are other possible causes and MRI may very well rule out any metastasis.

Will be praying for you.

[DanaRT]

Rendi,

I hope and pray things work out well for you.

Take care

[Becky]

Maybe something even as simple as allergies. Did you change laundry soap, buy new linens or pillows. Cosmetics, hand cream, moisturizer - even a bra or prosthetic?

It's that time of year for new things to bloom or die and that plant/flower/weed can get to you (and suddenly too even though you were never allergic before). And these do not necessarily have to be sinus headaches either. New pet?

Don't expect the worst but be prepared for a brain MRI to rule mets out.

[Sherryg683]

I have always had problems with headaches since chemo but mine have been mostly sinus related. It is wise to get an MRI with contrast done though to rule out anything. I am having one done on Tuesday. Please keep us posted..sherryg683

[Pam P]

Rendi - Where are your headaches? I've been getting headaches too mostly in my forehead area. I don't think they wake me up, but sometimes when I wake up at night I feel a headache. And often during the day too. I've chalked it up to the taxol. I notice you are on taxol too. I wonder if there's a connection? The advice of mri is probably good - only way to be sure. Please update us on what you find out. Take care.

[StephN]

Hi -
I had headaches from time to time while on Taxol. I think these headaches combined with the "normal" allergies and whatever else might cause a mild headache to be bothersome.

Hope that is all it is for you. For my brain mets I had NO symptoms and not a trace of a headache due to the area they were located.

[Rendi69CA]

Thank yall for all the support. I will let yall know as soon as I get the results. God Bless.

Rendi

[SoCalGal]

Hi Rendi-

Just for the record - I had brain mets - WITH NO SYMPTOMS at all.

Hope you feel better soon.
Flori