Well, the doctor's not all that worried...

[lance_sibley]

I just got back from the walk-in clinic at Mt. Pleasant and Eglinton, where I went about the headache that's been plaguing me on-and-off for the last seven days or so. It hasn't been that bad over the past couple of days - there have been a couple of mild twinges, including one this afternoon - but the fact that it's still there at all isn't normal. It's not there at all right now, though.

I told the doctor about it (including what I was doing when it first came on last Saturday night, just in case that was important), and also told him about the family history. (For those who skipped my last, overly long post - my father had a brain aneurysm about 22 years ago, which he survived, and my maternal aunt died of a brain tumor.) He examined the blood vessels in my eyes, felt my neck (as well as the glands behind my ears) and had me turn my head left, right, up and down, and said that it didn't look or sound like I had anything major to worry about. He mentioned when he first came into the room about taking my blood pressure, but when he came back in a few minutes later he didn't. I remembered as I was on my way out the door, so I went back to ask, and he said, "No, I don't need that." He just suggested taking regular over-the-counter meds if it bothers me again.

But just in case, he's making an appointment for me to have a CT scan, and will call this week to let me know when and where it will be done. He did say that the symptoms I described - first the drill-to-the-temple sensation, then the pain behind the eye, then the tight-belt-around-the-forehead feeling were all symptomatic of a muscular stress headache.

I hope that's all it is - I'll keep you all updated.

Comments

[terri-osborne.livejournal.com]

I don't know if it'll help, but my neurologist just put me on Petadolex for the frequent migraines. It sounds like the non-migraine headaches I get. The Petadolex is herbal in the U.S., but since its primary ingredient is manufactured in Germany, where its a regulated medication, it doesn't carry the usual herbal concerns.

Might be worth looking into.

[boywhocantsayno.livejournal.com]

I'll have to ask the doctor about that when I hear the results of the CT scan - thanks! I've never heard of it - I wonder if it's a prescription medication here, or if it's available OTC because of the herbal content.

[moon-custafer.livejournal.com]

Keeping fingers crossed.

[boywhocantsayno.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[hoskie.livejournal.com]

Yikes.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya'.

[boywhocantsayno.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[redeem147.livejournal.com]

Any walk-in clinic doctor who doesn't want to take your blood pressure is a doctor who's proving why he works in a walk-in clinic. Can you tell I've had some less than stellar experiences?

Next time you're in the drug store, take your blood pressure. It couldn't hurt.

[boywhocantsayno.livejournal.com]

Shoot, I meant to have my BP checked when I was at the hospital the other night. (It seemed like as good a place as any to have it checked.)

I'll have to remember to stop in at the Pharma Plus in the Yonge/Eglinton Centre tomorrow when I'm running some errands I need to take care of in the morning.

Any walk-in clinic doctor who doesn't want to take your blood pressure is a doctor who's proving why he works in a walk-in clinic.

I hadn't really considered that, though it might explain why having an arm that was 50% black and blue, that I still can't straighten fully nearly three years later, had "nothing structurally wrong".

I tried to find a GP a few years ago, after my fainting incident at the bridge club, but never was able to find anyone who was accepting new patients. I really should check again.

[randomyst.livejournal.com]

What you described sounds like the weather-induced migranes that I get due to low/fluctuating barometric pressure. Especially the visual distortions. Wishing you well, regardless of whatever it turns out to be.

[defenestr8or.livejournal.com]

Stress-related, probably, but a scan certainly wouldn't hurt.

Thinking pain-relieving thoughts!

[boywhocantsayno.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[thirdworld.livejournal.com]

Here's to it all being nothing more than a sinus headache or something of that temporary ilk.

[boywhocantsayno.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[elizard100.livejournal.com]

Best to get it checked out to be on the safe side!!