Is There A Doctor In The House?

[Neuroticax]

I know next to nothing about anatomy, let alone the brain and it's neighbors. I just recently have been looking up where exactly the pain is located and what the places are called.

Bear with me, please.

Anyway - For years I've been having pains similar to a migraine and located in the indent of my neck where the cerebellum is located. (The posterior fossa?) When these "attacks" occur, the two lump type areas (which I believe is the cerebellum) on each side of the indent is swollen and painful. When it gets bad enough it gets hard to swallow and my glands and throat become slightly swollen. The pain will radiate throughout the back of my head and move to the entire head and also radiate down my neck. I can't hold my head up, I have to lay down. They can last anywhere from 20 minutes to hours and reoccur for days on end. I have noticed that taking Excedrin helps the situation and can sometimes fully subside these attacks. They are random as far as I know, some years are better than others. I haven't had an attack in a year, maybe a little bit more and now I have had them reoccur for 2 days.

My question is, is there a diagnose for this and could this pertain to something more serious? It's hard finding a doctor that takes my insurance (state insurance) and when you do they can't speak English and have no idea what they doing. (I had one tell me I was having PMS when a month later it was found out I was pregnant. Nice, huh?) So before I go on a hunt for doctors I'd like to make sure this is either something serious or normal that can happen and be continue to be taken care of with OTC meds.

I hope everyone could follow me and someone can recognize these symptoms.

Thanks for listening and thanks in advance.

[triedntru]

It sounds similar to stress headache except for the intensity. Does Ibuprofen or tylenol work or do you have to go get a shot (similar to migraines). I'd definitely find a doctor if nothing else, you will have one. After you see one, you can always go to medline.com(I think right address) and get more info on what the diagnosis was. Good luck, TNT

[leslieanne]

Will do my best to give a coherent, logical answer, but please know that as an OB/GYN this is not at all my area of expertise.

It is virtually impossible to know if this is or isn't something serious just based on the symptoms you are describing. In some ways it sounds like what is called an "atypical migraine" (not serious). That said it may also be related to spasms of the blood vessels - which can either be no big deal or can sometimes cause significant issues. Given the issues with the swelling and difficulty swallowing that is occuring some of the time it's possible that it's related to your lymphatic system (immune system) and your response to viral infections (like the flu). A much more indepth history and tracking of symptoms maybe needed to fully determine what is going on. A complete physical exam, and an exam when you are having symptoms would also be of help.

While I understand the difficulty in getting in to see a doctor I would encourage you to do so. Do you live anywhere near a medical school? They often take patients with state insurance. I would also encourage you to request to have an evaluation done by a neurologist - it may take some "pushyness" on your part to make this happen, but given the symptoms you are discribing it would be appropriate.

Taking OTC anti-inflammatories such as Motrin should not be detremintal. However I would strongly encourage you to see a physician. Even if it isn't anything "serious" understanding what's going on, what might be triggers, and how to best treat it is, in the long run, what you are going to need in order to deal with this in a proactive way.

[pappyld04]

Could this be allergy related?

[Neuroticax]

Could this be allergy related?

I was thinking that, but I've never noticed anything related to it. The only thing in common is sometimes being on the computer can start it. I already have reading glasses and I'm at my highest without thing being too blurry for me.

[ToyQueen]

I agree with Leslieanne. You really need to be evaluated for migraines---especially if being on the computer, or wearing glasses can make it worse or trigger these.

[pappyld04]

Hope I don't sound like I'm trying to discourage a doctor visit! That should be a priority! I just had a brainfart about the allergy since they are often difficult to figure out and can play tricks on you. I don't have any myself but know a few people who had a hard time with them until they figured them out.

[Neuroticax]

Hmm, alright.

Thanks guys.

[Mikayla1]

I suffer from chronic migraines, and this sounds like what happens to me sometimes. When I was writing my thesis, and was on the computer all the time, I would get these. My neck would hurt so badly that I couldn't hold it up. I went to the chiropractor during an 'attack' and she told me when the muscles in your neck tense up (due to stress, computer work, reading) that it can spasm and cause a pain or a migraine headache.

I went to a nuerologist cause they got so bad that I was having them 3 times a week and pumping in the ibu like it was nothing - 4 at a time - and then icing my neck to go to sleep. He did a brain scan and a CT and was looking for this disorder (can't remember the name) when that space where your head touches your spinal cord is deformed, and this can cause this chronic pain. I did not have that, but if I were you, I would definitely go and get it checked out.

I was told to stay away from alcohol, chocolate, caffeine and all that - still had them. I was finally put on Topamax to help. I was on that for 3 years until I weened off to have a baby. I haven't had any problems since.

It is definitely something that should be checked out by a doctor. You don't want to take chances!

[Neuroticax]

Oh my.

Thanks for the input. I'll deff be looking for a doctor.

[ohshelly]

Let us know what is going on, alright?

We worry!

[Neuroticax]

Now the question is where to start. Do I try and find a specialist right away or try a regular doctor?

[ohshelly]

Now the question is where to start. Do I try and find a specialist right away or try a regular doctor?

Up here, many times you can't see a specialist without a referal.

I have a really good family Doc, so if I call him, he will refer me without an appointment to see him first.

My suggestion is get into a specialist if you can, if not, call your Doctors nurse on Monday

and ask her as nice as possiable to work you into his schedual ASAP.

Don't wait on this to long, honey, ok?

The UW at Madison has a great teaching program that gives excellent care

and they have a good reputation. PM me if you want the info.

Don't put it off, though, Please!!

[Neuroticax]

I was talking to someone today about my insurance, and I might be switching within the next couple of months. I guess if I can switch there's a plethora of doctors (compared to what I have now) to choose from. Apparently they pay them more than the state insurance does, so that's why there's more.

Anyway, I'm going to get more information about this switching insurances, since I'm not finding anyone I can get decent feedback on that's local here, so I have a better selection. Getting a referral is pretty hard to do when they'd rather not do it in the first place. (It's amazing what you learn when you talk to people on the inside weekly.) I'm calling someone back tomorrow about switching, so I figure I'll do a search for doctors under that insurance and make an appt for a couple months or so from now so give myself time to be able to make the switch if I can.

Besides, I need to find my kid a new doctor before I strangle him with that stupid bowtie he wears.

So.. things are sort of progressing. lol