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Suggest Remedy For Swelling On Skull And Pain

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Posted on Tue, 17 Mar 2015
Question: Hi , I am a 54 year old woman , for more than over 10 years I have noticed that left side of my skull seems swollen and bigger than the left side with a reoccuring mild pain in that area . I don't like to go to doctors, I haven't been to one in more than 7 years . I used to suffer from bipolar depression since I was 18 but I had an exorcism 7 years ago and feel 80% better and stopped all kind of medication .
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pankaj Borade (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
needs investigation, ?relapse of psychiatric condition

Detailed Answer:
Dear,
Welcome to HCM.
As I can understand, your chief complaints are
swollen and bigger left side skull with miild recurring pain. History of bipolar depression, stopped medication.
Considering the above given information, I suspect possibility of relapse of Mood disorder, organic brain pathology, head injury, migraine.

A further details will need to be obtained, as to have a better clinical picture.

My question to your are
1. how do you keep your mood lately, do you have mood swings? crying spells? loss of interesting daily routine activity or previous pleasurable activities? suicidal ideation, irritability? feeling of guilt?
2. do you prefer to stay with yourself or with friends and family?
3. how is your sleep, duration and quality?

4. have you had any head injury in recent past?
5. regarding your headache, is it episodic, nature of ache whether dull ache, throbbing, pulsating, sharp? any triggering factors? associated with vomiting, dizziness?

Answer to these will help me to have a clear clinical picture.

my suggestions for you.
1. A CT scan of brain, to look for organic pathology.
2. Baseline ECG, Blood sugar levels,and blood pressure recording.
3. considering a history of XXXXXXX psychiatric condition, it is XXXXXXX much suggestible to have a psychiatric consultation as certain conditions can present with similar complaints. Besides a detailed history and work up is essential to confirm a diagnosis.
4. For pain, over the counter medication of paracetamol of ibuprofen combination can be taken if needed.

welcome for further suggestions and with details.
Regards,
Dr Pankaj Borade

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Pankaj Borade (15 hours later)
I must admit that i have to listen to Quran mantras almost daily for all the symptoms of my depression not to come back as strong as before , it's a ritual i have been doing for the last 7 years , better than medication , but i still get that feeling of emptiness and meaningless of life . I enjoy staying with my daughter and granddaughter a few months each year but i always get fed up and go back to being alone . I don't like to have close relations with people .
The headaches i get are episodic , dull with nausea which i get when i exaust myself .
I dont get insomnia which is a good thing but I still get a maximum of five or four hours of restless sleep , i wake up almost every hour during my sleep . I always wake up feeling a kind of pressure in my head for a few seconds .
I haven't had any head enjuries in recent years that i can recall .
All my blood and blood pressure tests show that i am in a very good shape .
I am sure that i don't want to see any psychiatrists ever again i hope i won't need to .
I guess however i will need to see a doctor eventually.
Thank you for your reply and detailed information
.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pankaj Borade (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
depression with somatisation

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the reply.
I can understand the distress you must be through.
Your complaints are highly suggestive of depressive disorder with somatic symptoms. There are many perpetuating factors like poor familial and social support, age,etc.
The physical symptoms of headache and body ache could possibly be due to psychological stress, and a part of underlying depression.
here are few suggestions that you may find helpful
1) If you feel better with your ritual i would suggest you to continue with it.
2) DO CONSULT A PSYCHIATRIST, i can understand it is a hard on your part, but essential.
3) discuss my opinion with your family member.
4) discuss with your doctor, an addition of SSRI group of medication like sertraline and small dose of long acting benzodiazepines to your treatment.
5) over the counter medication like ibuprofen can be taken till you have your getting with doctor.
6) consider Thyroid function test screening, imp medical cause of depression.
7) A regular sessions of psychotherapy may be beneficial.

welcome for further suggestions.
Feel free to contact me any time.
stay happy.
Regards,
Dr Pankaj Borade
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Pankaj Borade

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 571 Questions

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Suggest Remedy For Swelling On Skull And Pain

Brief Answer: needs investigation, ?relapse of psychiatric condition Detailed Answer: Dear, Welcome to HCM. As I can understand, your chief complaints are swollen and bigger left side skull with miild recurring pain. History of bipolar depression, stopped medication. Considering the above given information, I suspect possibility of relapse of Mood disorder, organic brain pathology, head injury, migraine. A further details will need to be obtained, as to have a better clinical picture. My question to your are 1. how do you keep your mood lately, do you have mood swings? crying spells? loss of interesting daily routine activity or previous pleasurable activities? suicidal ideation, irritability? feeling of guilt? 2. do you prefer to stay with yourself or with friends and family? 3. how is your sleep, duration and quality? 4. have you had any head injury in recent past? 5. regarding your headache, is it episodic, nature of ache whether dull ache, throbbing, pulsating, sharp? any triggering factors? associated with vomiting, dizziness? Answer to these will help me to have a clear clinical picture. my suggestions for you. 1. A CT scan of brain, to look for organic pathology. 2. Baseline ECG, Blood sugar levels,and blood pressure recording. 3. considering a history of XXXXXXX psychiatric condition, it is XXXXXXX much suggestible to have a psychiatric consultation as certain conditions can present with similar complaints. Besides a detailed history and work up is essential to confirm a diagnosis. 4. For pain, over the counter medication of paracetamol of ibuprofen combination can be taken if needed. welcome for further suggestions and with details. Regards, Dr Pankaj Borade