Headaches? Ugh...

kcherub · 07-24-2008, 09:16 AM

So, it's about time for me to have a suspicious symptom, and here it goes...

For about a week, I have been having (what I can best describe as) headaches. However, it is only around my eyes (a stabbing feeling), sometimes down the right jaw, and tends to happen in the evenings. I am having one right now, and this is the first one to happen during the day. I am not having any other neurological issues...

I tried looking up tension, cluster, and migraines, but it hard to pinpoint what this is. I asked my husband to give me an MRI, but I am thinking that might be jumping the gun.

I have had some sinus issues for months, and also think I may be clenching my jaw at night (and sometimes during the day). I am on day 6 of NOT taking Ativan to sleep--for the first time in 18 months. I have also started having some night hot flashes (from the Tamoxifen, I guess). They aren't too bad, and I can usually just wait them out without having to try to cool myself off. Oh, and business sucks during July. Lot of stress going on here.

Any idea if I should take Motrin and see what happens, see my PCP, get the MRI, or call my ONC.? I am not all that worried, but just waiting for one to happen is starting to get on my nerves.

Thanks, ladies (and gentlemen)!

Mary Jo · 07-24-2008, 11:38 AM

The first thing I thought of when you said "behind the eyes" is sinus pressure.

Just a thought....

MJ

chrisy · 07-24-2008, 02:13 PM

You've put forth a lot of theories on what could be causing it, I mean stopping a med, stress, etc. These could be valid reasons you are having headaches. I have a lot of sinus headaches myself.

I go by the 2 week rule. If your symptoms continue for 2 weeks, get it checked out.

Did you say your husband could give you an MRI?

Chelee · 07-24-2008, 02:35 PM

Ditto what Chrisy said. Also I suffer from "TMJ". My jaw is out on one side and when I am under more stress then usual I do chench my jaw which I noticed you mentioned doing. I've had a "ENT" (ears, throat & nose) doctor explain how the jaw can cause these headaches.

You mentioned alot of things going on so I would almost think it strange if you didn't have a headache under those circumstances. I would wait the two weeks and go from there. In my cause if my headache won't go away after about two or three wks I do get the MRI. I have to for peace of mind or I would go insane. I have a feeling your headache is a combination of all those things you mentioned. It can't hurt to try the motrin. If its the jaw...that certainly won't hurt you any.

Chelee

kcherub · 07-24-2008, 05:56 PM

Thanks, ladies! Funny enough, I think it is sinus, jaw AND tension that is causing them.

Yes, Todd said he would give me an MRI, but it freaks me out to have him sitting there looking at the scan as it comes up. I have these horrible visions of him bursting into the room with a terrified look on his face. I know--hypo Krista, here.

It is about 9:00, and this is when they usually start. We just got back from Cooper's birthday party, so I am pretty relaxed. We shall see what tonight brings.

Thank you so much as always!
Krista

juanita · 07-24-2008, 08:51 PM

how's your blood pressure? when mine was high i got headaches in the evenings.

Bill · 07-24-2008, 09:15 PM

Hey Krista! It sounds like so many factors could be causing your headaches, but I think you should go for the MRI, for your own peace of mind. Get the MRI, the sooner the better. You make it sound like Todd has one in the garage next to the Mustang, so I'd go for it. Keep us posted, sweetie, Bill

harrie · 07-25-2008, 12:29 AM

Krista, are you a clencher? One sign is to feel or look inside you cheeks for a horizontal ridge. It may be more prominent in the morning if you were clenching when you were sleeping. You can also feel for the ridge with your tongue.
Or...look at the borders of your tongue. Do you see scalloped ridges around the border? Another sign of clenching.
Clenching, stress, headaches, TMJ, can all be related and are very common.

kcherub · 07-25-2008, 06:09 AM

Oh, my gosh! Yes, Harrie!!! The ridges drive me nuts, as I am always touching them with my tongue, or trying to bit them (gross, I know). I have been trying to get a dentist appointment forever. It has been since March 2007 (before treatment) and I need to get in there...

I didn't have a headache last night, and (I am quite proud to add), slept like a baby without Ativan.

Thanks!

kcherub · 07-25-2008, 06:13 AM

it's a Camaro. LOL

I know that I kind of take the option of an MRI lightly, although I have been pretty good about it. I had a brain MRI in 2004 (when my panic attacks started)--just a little cyst right in the middle, but nowhere near anything. I had another brain MRI in October 2007, but I can't remember why--there was something, and I bet if I go back through old posts I will remember (TEE-hee). The little cyst was there, but nothing else. I had a spin MRI in March 2008, due to the horrible lower back pain. That one showed two areas where the discs were bulging, but nothing else.

Sounds like somebody's got a date on Saturday night at the MSCATL! No wine, but I will be taking a Xanax.

Take care,

harrie · 07-25-2008, 03:05 PM

Krista, it sounds like the amount of ridges you have on your tongue indicates significant amounts of clenching. What happens when a persons clenches, along with the cheek muscles tightening, the tongue can also be forcefully pushed against the teeth causing the ridged look of the indentation of the teeth. Also many times I see the ridge inside the cheeks from the cheeks being pushed against the teeth. Stress is the most common reason why people clench.
When not stressed, the tongue should be in a relaxed position on the floor of the mouth and the upper and lower arch of the teeth, not in occlusion.
Clenching can cause tension on the temporal mandibular joint (TMJ), can cause muscular tightness in the neck and shoulders, cause headaches, and over time, can cause trauma to the teeth and can cause the gingiva (gums) to recede.
What I would recommend is to be aware of tension held in your head and neck area. When you feel those muscles tightening...relax and breathe. Short superficial breathing or held breaths will only aggrevate tension held in the body.
Massages are good.
Sleeping well at night is important.
Improving ways to psychologically dealing with thoughts that can contribute to stress is also important.
How you discribed the way the pain radiates from down the side of your face towards your jaw makes it appear to me that is mostly a clenching type symptom.
Maryanne

ps...what is 3 embies on ice?

kcherub · 07-25-2008, 05:56 PM

Maryanne...thanks again! I am going to see one of the neuros that Todd works with next week, and he will determine who I need to see outside of him. I will also let him make the determination of whether or not I need an MRI.

You know--before I started taking the Ativan at bedtime, I was clenching like crazy, and was very aware of it. I wonder if I am clenching again now--it would make sense that I stopped taking the Ativan nightly, and then a night or so later started with the "headaches". BTW, my tongue (on the sides) looks like a piece of scrapbook paper with the little scallops. I am so glad you went further on all of this. While I am going to check it out, it helps with my teeny, tiny hidden fears. Once again, I love this board even if to just give me a few days of worry relief.

The "embies" are frozen embryos--toticles, in perpetual daycare, as we say around here. LOL

Take care,