Can a headache cause brain injury?
 

Hello,
I know that this might sound like a silly question, but I was hoping someone might be able to give me some insight. I have an appointment with a new headache specialist next week and I want to ask about this, but I don't want to make a bad first impression with a new doctor.

I suddenly started getting headaches in the middle of the night about 7 months ago. In May, I had a really bad one with constant vomiting for four hours and I haven't felt the same since it happened. I've had headaches before and after, but the one in May was extreme and hung around on and off for about 10 days. I had an MRI/MRA 9 days after the headache that came back normal.

Since the headache, my noise sensitivity has gotten worse. Sudden noises make my physically jump. My memory has been a little off, but nothing major. If I bend down, my head feels funny. Not dizzy, exactly, but sort of on the verge of being dizzy.

The thing that I'm really concerned about is my mood. I was depressed before this, but it was a flat, empty feeling and had been getting better. But now....something has happened to my mental state. I have huge mood swings, I often feel sad for no reason, every little thing sets me off and I have constant thoughts of suicide. I feel like I turned into a different person from one day to the next. I've started seeing a therapist and that's helping a little.

I may be overreacting, but it seems to me that my brain may have been injured during that whopper of a headache. Is this even possible? Should I ask the doctor about it? I have a huge fear of being brushed off as a hypochondriac. If anyone has had a similar experience or could advise me, I would love to hear from you.

Many thanks, Cheryl

Dear Cheryl,

So sorry that you are suffering from these symptoms. You are not silly!!

After carefully reading your post it struck me that due to the fact your headaches are happening during the night, you may be having seizures and these are bringing on the pain.
I would ask for a sleep EEG from your GP to help confirm this.
You may also be having mini strokes TIA's. The only way to truly diagnose this is to have a CT and a spinal tap.
However you could possibly be having a severe type of migraine. Again if you get a referral to a Neuro consultant they will direct you.

For now keep a diary.
Take care and let me know how you get on as once you have a diagnosis we can all give you advice and help you cope.

Cheryl,

Sorry to hear about your headache events. They sound scary. I had such a head ache in the middle of the night while on a anniversary retreat with my wife a few decades ago. Thinking back, I wonder why we did not go to an ER.

The MRI/MRA should have picked up a TIA as well as a CT without the radiation risk.

Has anybody suggest a short term increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) ? A spinal tap during the event will cause relief in most cases and be a positive diagnosis. Docs like to avoid spinal taps due to the risks.

I have found that I get headaches from dehydration. A glass of water and I am usually much better within 30 minutes. These happen to me in the early morning. Sometimes, they wake me so I get up and have a drink.

Another issue might be fasting hypoglycemia. Some people have a drop in glucose at 5 to 7 hours after eating. This can cause headaches and behavioral changes. I used to struggle with this and would get grumpy plus have a headaches. A fasting glucose test would be the first test then maybe a 5 hour glucose tolerance test.

I hope you have a doctor or group of doctors who take you serious.

My best to you.

Thank you Peacheysncream and Mark in Idaho. You have given me many things to think about. I'm having a sleep study next week. It would be nice if a headache would come on while I'm hooked up to all those monitors.

I got my first headache 3 weeks after MVD surgery which involved draining my cerebral fluid, so I've always thought these headaches had something to do with CSF or increased pressure.

I asked about raised ICP, but was told that it would be more constant. The headaches were every 4 weeks or so, but now I'm getting one every two weeks or less. Do either of you know if raised ICP can come and go?

I really appreciate your responses. I hope you both have a great weekend,
Cheryl