I am 27 months out from my brain met and have been experiencing persistent headaches again. I had a MRI in June for the same reason, but it turns out that I had a sinus infection and out of control high blood pressure. Once those things were controlled, the headaches stopped.
In August, I experienced an incident of vertigo and fell face first on my driveway. I was pretty bruised and found out about a month later that I had cracked a tooth. Around the time the tooth started hurting, the headaches started as well on the same side. My dentist says the headaches are not related to the tooth and that the pain wouldn't go further up than my eye socket. As for the vertigo, I've experienced it quite frequently since my brain surgery.
I had a root canal done Tuesday (still wondering why the dentist's office made me wait over a month!) and I'm waiting to see if it will ease the headache. The tooth feels the same as it did before I had the root canal, so I really don't know how long it takes to heal from one. The headache doesn't get any worse, but it never gets better on it's own. It will respond to Topomax or Extra Strength Excederin but then comes right back with a vengeance. This is all feeling way to familiar. :(
I have a brain MRI coming up that was previously scheduled for early November. I keep putting off calling to have it moved up, because I really just don't want to know! My nephew is getting married November 1 in North Carolina. If it hasn't stopped by then, I will call to reschedule the MRI when I get back.
In the meantime, please think good thoughts for me or say a prayer or whatever you're comfortable with.
Thanks!!
Reply # - October 24, 2014, 08:38 PM
Oh Sherry, I'm so sorry to
Oh Sherry, I'm so sorry to hear this. I'm sure you must be crushed that the root canal did not take care of the headaches. I know what you mean about pain that just comes back no matter what you throw at it. It's awful and I wish it on no one. I will keep you in my thoughts and will be looking for your post after the wedding. Until then I hope you can find something more effective than what you've been taking.
Much love and respect,
Debra
Reply # - October 25, 2014, 09:49 AM
I'm sorry for that. I would
I'm sorry for that. I would say, as I think you already know, persistent headaches would be a very appropriate reason to move up your scan -- you could either develop a plan ASAP (and even perhaps just start something like dexamethasone if it might be helpful, as it is very easily available) or get reassurance that could be very helpful in its own right, even if you still have headaches.
Thinking of you, as I'm sure many will be.
Good luck.
-Dr. West
Reply # - October 25, 2014, 10:07 AM
Debra, thank you for your
Debra, thank you for your thoughts. I'm always thrilled to hear from you!
Dr. West, I know you are absolutely correct. After waking up this morning with yet another bad headache, I decided to call Monday. Like you said, even if they give me steroids to start, I need to do something. I actually have a bottle of dexamethasone, but am hesitant to take it without my oncologist telling me to.
I'll keep you posted.
Reply # - October 25, 2014, 12:05 PM
Hi Sherry,
Hi Sherry,
I will join in Debra's and Dr. West's wishes for rapid relief from your headaches and worry-relieving scan results. Moving the scan up can only help by shortening the period of "scanxiety", and though steroids are not side effect-free, they may help relieve your pain while waiting for scan results. Hopefully you'll be able to reach your doctor early on Monday and get both those issues resolved. Is it possible that you could get the OK for dex from an on-call doctor this weekend?
Keeping you in our thoughts,
JimC
Forum moderator
Reply # - October 25, 2014, 12:30 PM
So sorry to hear of your
So sorry to hear of your headaches and glad you've decided to move your scan up. Before taking the dex you have, check the date and check with the pharmacy or doctor first as to shelf life. I saw where you had the brain met back in 2012, so if the dex is from back then it may not be any good. Wishing you the best.
Take care, Judy
Reply # - October 26, 2014, 09:24 PM
Hi Sherry
Hi Sherry
Very sorry to hear about your persistent headaches. I certainly hope you get to the bottom of this quickly and get this difficulty behind you. Thinking about you and wishing you the best.
Bob
Reply # - October 27, 2014, 07:52 PM
Hi Sherry, I'm so sorry you
Hi Sherry, I'm so sorry you're having headaches. I know how anxious you must feel so I want to join the rest in providing support if only from a far.
Sending every hope for relief,
Janine
Reply # - October 28, 2014, 07:44 AM
I really appreciate the
I really appreciate the support from everyone here, it really means a lot.
I have my scan scheduled for Monday. I wish it were a little sooner, but unfortunately I haven't even been able to get my doctor's nurse to return my phone call. I was able to get the scan moved up on my own. The scheduling people are great and told me that they would follow up with the nurse to see if they can get her to call me. If she does, I am going to ask her about the steroids. For now, I'm taking Tramadol. I was only taking it at night because it upsets my stomach. However, I can't deal with the constant headache anymore so I'm going to try to deal with an upset stomach. :)
I likely won't know anything until at least next Tuesday, but I'll let you know what happens.
Reply # - October 28, 2014, 03:45 PM
Sherry, I'm keeping you in my
Sherry, I'm keeping you in my thoughts. I know what constant pain is like. I take Tramadol and have never had stomach upset with it, but it does give me a headache. I'm wondering if you have any other alternative since that is a pretty common side effect. Possibly making the headache worse? I don't know. Just my layman's thoughts. Wishing you relief. I'm going for "not cancer related." Keep asserting yourself. The squeaky wheel gets the oil!
Much love and respect,
Debra
Reply # - October 28, 2014, 06:53 PM
Debra, are you serious?
Debra, are you serious? Tramadol CAUSES headaches? It was prescribed to me FOR my headaches when my blood pressure was out of control. I worry about rebound headaches. I'm going to stop taking it for a few days and just try Tylenol and I'll let you know how it goes. Thank you so much for telling me that!
Reply # - October 28, 2014, 07:08 PM
OMG, what if?
OMG, what if?
Reply # - October 28, 2014, 07:45 PM
Tramadol is a potentially
Tramadol is a potentially effective pain medication, but just about any drug can cause any side effect. Tramadol causing headaches would be quite rare, but possible...
Glad you'll get your scan and some answers soon.
-Dr. West
Reply # - November 3, 2014, 04:29 PM
Thinking of you Sherry.
Thinking of you Sherry.
Reply # - November 4, 2014, 02:48 PM
I received the results of my
I received the results of my MRI today, and as expected, the tumor is back. It is in the base of my cerebellum again. It is 8.4 x 4.? mm. I am assuming they will radiate it again. I don't see my doctor until Tuesday, 11/11. The date is ironic because our charity does a virtual fundraiser on 11/11 at 11:11 and I see the doctor at 11:00. Maybe it's a sign. :)
Reply # - November 4, 2014, 06:42 PM
Sherry,
Sherry,
I'm so sorry to hear the results of your scan. Sending you positive energy with hopes that this is a precocious metastasis which can be radiated while everything else is kept clear by Tarceva.
JimC
Forum moderator
Reply # - November 4, 2014, 08:46 PM
Ugh... :cry:
Ugh... :cry:
I'm so sorry. Obviously, that was the big concern, though we all hoped it was something else.
You have a plan, and I hope that you soon report that your headaches are better, you're feeling well, and that repeat scans look good.
Thinking of you, Sherry.
-Dr. West
Reply # - November 5, 2014, 10:15 AM
Well this isn't at all what
Well this isn't at all what we had planned, I'm so sorry.
Here are to hopes this is just one and it is radiated away for a longer time than before. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts.
xoxo,
Janine