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What Causes Long-term Headache?
Question: Hello doctor! I have been suffering from long-term headache; which I suspect was induced by a drug-overdose.
(Background)
About three months ago I took a designer drug (or so called “RC, research”) bought from the internet. It was a psychoactive drug with similar effects to those induced from LSD. Although I have always been extremely cautious when dosing and ingesting these drugs in the past, the site where they were bought from had either misjudged or written out the wrong amount one tab (a drop dried on a piece of paper) contained. And therefore, I took too many. Although, under the influence, no other health-complications than the effects being very intrusive, occurred. The day after was like any other day, as well as the week to come. I had no symptoms whatsoever, with no thoughts of any headache. I was at school every day and lived on, doing what I usually do. The drug was ingested on a Friday, and it was not until Wednesday 2 weeks later that I felt the first symptoms of the headache.
(Symptom’s)
This is not the common headache one usually wakes up with in the morning. I would describe the symptoms as random “sharp stings” that can occur anywhere on my head, at any time. They occur on a daily basis and vary in strength from time to time, day to day. Most often they are only mild/moderate, but at some occasions I have also felt more powerful stings (almost stabbing-like pain) at the left or right front of my head. The headache is non-constant and at many times a day I do not feel or notice the headache. There have been times where I’ve felt very little for one or two days, but then on the upcoming day(s) the stings are more apparent once again. There is nothing that can predict a bad or a good day, and nothing that I do that affects when or if a sting occurs. Although I do want to add that I’ve also experienced mild/moderate pain induced by physical movement, such as sitting down fast or bending over. This pain also varies in location from time but is always at the front of my head, often on/near one of the temples. Overall, the right side has always felt more sensitive. This pain is unlike the stings, and only feels in the moment when the impact occurs. However, this doesn’t happen every time I bend over or do another movement that could induce the pain. Finally, I would like to add that my symptoms has neither improved nor worsened over time. Despite from having these “good and bad” days, the headache is practically at the same level as the day it started three months ago. Aside from the headache, I have no other symptoms.
(Personal comments)
I do have a history of being worried by different health-symptoms, and I would almost call myself a hypochondriac. It has certainly been tough to live with this headache. Not physically, but mentally. I always tend to predict the worse of the worse. My theory to why I have the headache is that a damage to my blood-vessels and/or my arteries (or the nerves within) occurred when under the influence of the drug, as I now know causes vasoconstriction. I wonder if there are any special symptoms for damage like this and if my symptoms fit the criteria? Not knowing for sure if I have damage or not has almost put my life down to half-speed, as I tend to spend many of my waking hours being worried about it. I have been sober to this day, as I won’t even dare to take a glass of wine in fear of it affecting the “already damaged” blood-vessels. I would really like to turn my life around in many ways, but as long as I have my constant worries, I do not have the strength to do it. (However, since there was a time lap of almost two weeks, I see a slight possibility that the headache is caused by something else, so I have my hopes up.)
I have never visited a doctor or any specialist before, but I am considering looking up a neurologist to get to the bottom of my worries. What kind of scan should I ask to do, if I would like to control my nerves, blood-vessels, and arteries?
I would appreciate any answer very much. I see this as the first step of getting to the bottom of this and turning my life to the better!
XXXX
(Background)
About three months ago I took a designer drug (or so called “RC, research”) bought from the internet. It was a psychoactive drug with similar effects to those induced from LSD. Although I have always been extremely cautious when dosing and ingesting these drugs in the past, the site where they were bought from had either misjudged or written out the wrong amount one tab (a drop dried on a piece of paper) contained. And therefore, I took too many. Although, under the influence, no other health-complications than the effects being very intrusive, occurred. The day after was like any other day, as well as the week to come. I had no symptoms whatsoever, with no thoughts of any headache. I was at school every day and lived on, doing what I usually do. The drug was ingested on a Friday, and it was not until Wednesday 2 weeks later that I felt the first symptoms of the headache.
(Symptom’s)
This is not the common headache one usually wakes up with in the morning. I would describe the symptoms as random “sharp stings” that can occur anywhere on my head, at any time. They occur on a daily basis and vary in strength from time to time, day to day. Most often they are only mild/moderate, but at some occasions I have also felt more powerful stings (almost stabbing-like pain) at the left or right front of my head. The headache is non-constant and at many times a day I do not feel or notice the headache. There have been times where I’ve felt very little for one or two days, but then on the upcoming day(s) the stings are more apparent once again. There is nothing that can predict a bad or a good day, and nothing that I do that affects when or if a sting occurs. Although I do want to add that I’ve also experienced mild/moderate pain induced by physical movement, such as sitting down fast or bending over. This pain also varies in location from time but is always at the front of my head, often on/near one of the temples. Overall, the right side has always felt more sensitive. This pain is unlike the stings, and only feels in the moment when the impact occurs. However, this doesn’t happen every time I bend over or do another movement that could induce the pain. Finally, I would like to add that my symptoms has neither improved nor worsened over time. Despite from having these “good and bad” days, the headache is practically at the same level as the day it started three months ago. Aside from the headache, I have no other symptoms.
(Personal comments)
I do have a history of being worried by different health-symptoms, and I would almost call myself a hypochondriac. It has certainly been tough to live with this headache. Not physically, but mentally. I always tend to predict the worse of the worse. My theory to why I have the headache is that a damage to my blood-vessels and/or my arteries (or the nerves within) occurred when under the influence of the drug, as I now know causes vasoconstriction. I wonder if there are any special symptoms for damage like this and if my symptoms fit the criteria? Not knowing for sure if I have damage or not has almost put my life down to half-speed, as I tend to spend many of my waking hours being worried about it. I have been sober to this day, as I won’t even dare to take a glass of wine in fear of it affecting the “already damaged” blood-vessels. I would really like to turn my life around in many ways, but as long as I have my constant worries, I do not have the strength to do it. (However, since there was a time lap of almost two weeks, I see a slight possibility that the headache is caused by something else, so I have my hopes up.)
I have never visited a doctor or any specialist before, but I am considering looking up a neurologist to get to the bottom of my worries. What kind of scan should I ask to do, if I would like to control my nerves, blood-vessels, and arteries?
I would appreciate any answer very much. I see this as the first step of getting to the bottom of this and turning my life to the better!
XXXX
Brief Answer:
You can go for CT or MRI scan
Detailed Answer:
HI
Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query.
LSD is a psycho-stimulant and whatever side effects it induces, it stays only for few days, not for months. In your case, headache could be part of hypochondriasis. It is more likely psychological headache. Headache due to brain disorder or vascular disorder could lead to physical symptoms like weakness, vomiting, nausea, visual problem etc. In your case, you have only headache, so it is more likely psychogenic headache. If you want to rule out any underline brain dysfunction, you can go for CT scan or MRI scan and better to consult a psychiatrist. You can also try some antidepressant like amitriptyline or duloxetine after psychiatrist consultation.
In case, you need further help, you can ask.
Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
You can go for CT or MRI scan
Detailed Answer:
HI
Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query.
LSD is a psycho-stimulant and whatever side effects it induces, it stays only for few days, not for months. In your case, headache could be part of hypochondriasis. It is more likely psychological headache. Headache due to brain disorder or vascular disorder could lead to physical symptoms like weakness, vomiting, nausea, visual problem etc. In your case, you have only headache, so it is more likely psychogenic headache. If you want to rule out any underline brain dysfunction, you can go for CT scan or MRI scan and better to consult a psychiatrist. You can also try some antidepressant like amitriptyline or duloxetine after psychiatrist consultation.
In case, you need further help, you can ask.
Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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