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What Causes Frequent Tension Headaches?
Question: I'm really scared right now. Last night I was sleeping, I had just fallen asleep and I began to dream. I don't remember what I was dreaming, but I woke up and for the first 10-15 seconds, I was trying to remember who was sleeping in the bed next to me. I kept thinking maybe it was one of my girlfriends, but I knew it wasn't right. I was in a panic. Then it was almost like I "came to" and realized, "duh" it's my husband....as always. Could this have been due to the fact that I was half awake/half asleep? I'm really scared I've got a brain tumor! Please help!!! I'm in a panic!!! I was afraid of a brain tumor all day - no real neurological symptoms. Now this!
I do get frequent tension headaches in the afternoon, but they're not terribly painful, and I don't even need to take a tylenol for them. They're not there everyday either. I've heard of people with brain tumors forgetting where they are or not being able to find words. I had an appointment with my endocrinologist today for a routine thyroid check up and I told him what happened. He did a few different neuro tests on me (seeing if my eyes tracked together, reflexes, having me squeeze his fingers) and he said that everything looked good. He said if it keeps happening, then we'll need a scan, but not right now. I'm super scared that it's going to happen again. Very scared of a tumor. Also, a little over 2 years ago I had a CT scan of my brain because I was having phantom smells. It was all clear and normal. I know two years is a long time though, could a brain tumor have grown in that time? Also, would my LDH be elevated if I had a brain tumor? I just had my LDH blood test done the end of January and it was well within the normal range.
I do get frequent tension headaches in the afternoon, but they're not terribly painful, and I don't even need to take a tylenol for them. They're not there everyday either. I've heard of people with brain tumors forgetting where they are or not being able to find words. I had an appointment with my endocrinologist today for a routine thyroid check up and I told him what happened. He did a few different neuro tests on me (seeing if my eyes tracked together, reflexes, having me squeeze his fingers) and he said that everything looked good. He said if it keeps happening, then we'll need a scan, but not right now. I'm super scared that it's going to happen again. Very scared of a tumor. Also, a little over 2 years ago I had a CT scan of my brain because I was having phantom smells. It was all clear and normal. I know two years is a long time though, could a brain tumor have grown in that time? Also, would my LDH be elevated if I had a brain tumor? I just had my LDH blood test done the end of January and it was well within the normal range.
Brief Answer:
Anxiety induced hallucination
Detailed Answer:
Dear Friend.
Welcome to HCM. I am Dr Anshul Varshney. I have read your query in detail. I understand your concern.
This is not definitely due to Brain Tumor.
The experience you have shared is due to Anxiety only. If this had happened to you when you were awake, this could be related to Frontal Lobe Lesion.
As you yourself mentioned that you were not having a sound sleep, then this I would say was a hallucination due to anxiety or tiredness.
Moreover, your CT scan and routine investigations were clear and examination done by your doctor was also normal.
But you also get frequent headaches. I would like to evaluate them
Give me following details for a better evaluation:
1.What do you do?
2.Headaches are since when?
3.Headaches are unilateral or bilateral?
4.Any band like sensation over head?
5.Any throbbing associated?
6.Any photophobia or phonophobia?
7.Any past history of Seizure?
8.How is your sleep otherwise/
9.Alcohol consumption and smoking status?
10.Any weight loss ? Fever?
This is my best opinion for you based on available details. If you have any further query please ask me and revert with the answers of the questions preferably in point wise manner.
Stay Healthy.
Dr Anshul Varshney, MD
Anxiety induced hallucination
Detailed Answer:
Dear Friend.
Welcome to HCM. I am Dr Anshul Varshney. I have read your query in detail. I understand your concern.
This is not definitely due to Brain Tumor.
The experience you have shared is due to Anxiety only. If this had happened to you when you were awake, this could be related to Frontal Lobe Lesion.
As you yourself mentioned that you were not having a sound sleep, then this I would say was a hallucination due to anxiety or tiredness.
Moreover, your CT scan and routine investigations were clear and examination done by your doctor was also normal.
But you also get frequent headaches. I would like to evaluate them
Give me following details for a better evaluation:
1.What do you do?
2.Headaches are since when?
3.Headaches are unilateral or bilateral?
4.Any band like sensation over head?
5.Any throbbing associated?
6.Any photophobia or phonophobia?
7.Any past history of Seizure?
8.How is your sleep otherwise/
9.Alcohol consumption and smoking status?
10.Any weight loss ? Fever?
This is my best opinion for you based on available details. If you have any further query please ask me and revert with the answers of the questions preferably in point wise manner.
Stay Healthy.
Dr Anshul Varshney, MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
1) I typically don't need to do anything for the headaches. Sometimes I'll drink a caffeinated beverage and it'll take the headache away.
2) Headaches have been there for a long time.
3) I feel the headache all over my head, and in the neck and sometimes the shoulderss.
4) I sometimes feel like there is a rubber band around my head, but not often.
5) Not usually any throbbing.
6) No photophobia.
7) No, I've never had a seizure.
8) I take amitriptyline 10mg for IBS and I take that before bed and my sleep has been pretty good since I've been on that medication (6 months). Before that, I would often wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble falling back to sleep.
9) No alcohol or smoking. I used to have maybe 1 or 2 drinks a MONTH - but that was before I was put on the amitriptyline. Since I've been on that medication I haven't had a drink
10) No weight loss or fever.
2) Headaches have been there for a long time.
3) I feel the headache all over my head, and in the neck and sometimes the shoulderss.
4) I sometimes feel like there is a rubber band around my head, but not often.
5) Not usually any throbbing.
6) No photophobia.
7) No, I've never had a seizure.
8) I take amitriptyline 10mg for IBS and I take that before bed and my sleep has been pretty good since I've been on that medication (6 months). Before that, I would often wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble falling back to sleep.
9) No alcohol or smoking. I used to have maybe 1 or 2 drinks a MONTH - but that was before I was put on the amitriptyline. Since I've been on that medication I haven't had a drink
10) No weight loss or fever.
Brief Answer:
Detail Follows.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome Back Dear.
Your Headache is classical of Chronic Tension Type Headache (CTH).
I don't find any symptom of Brain tumour here.
Amitryptilline has a very good effect in CTH also, so i suppose your headaches must have improved automatically since you started on Amitryptilline for IBS.
Since you just had a single episode of Anxiety and Hallucinations, i won't advise any change in medications.
I would advise you to continue with Amitryptilline only, and start going for Yoga or Meditation.
In case you have frequent episodes of such hallucinations or difficulty in sleeping, i would advise you to discuss with your doctor about adding Escitalopram to your prescription.
You may take Etizolam 0.5 mg once a while if you are unable to sleep or very tired.
If you have any further query please ask me, else close the discussion and rate it.
Stay Healthy.
Detail Follows.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome Back Dear.
Your Headache is classical of Chronic Tension Type Headache (CTH).
I don't find any symptom of Brain tumour here.
Amitryptilline has a very good effect in CTH also, so i suppose your headaches must have improved automatically since you started on Amitryptilline for IBS.
Since you just had a single episode of Anxiety and Hallucinations, i won't advise any change in medications.
I would advise you to continue with Amitryptilline only, and start going for Yoga or Meditation.
In case you have frequent episodes of such hallucinations or difficulty in sleeping, i would advise you to discuss with your doctor about adding Escitalopram to your prescription.
You may take Etizolam 0.5 mg once a while if you are unable to sleep or very tired.
If you have any further query please ask me, else close the discussion and rate it.
Stay Healthy.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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