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Hit Head Walking Down Basement Steps 8 Days Ago. Still

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Posted on Thu, 2 Jan 2020
Question: Hit head walking down basement steps 8 days ago. Still have headache (2-4 on pain scale). Headache is constant. Also been dealing with stiff neck (long before hit head) on right side.

Headache "moves" from front to back to on top to sides throughout day.

No other symptoms are present.

Tried ibuprofen 800mg and no change in headache. Does not matter position either.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
The pain may originate from the neck.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service.

I have read your query and here is my advice.

Since 8 days passed without any significant neurological symptoms, your condition seems to be not a serious one.

Headaches may originate from the neck (upper cervical nerves being pinched/irritated from past neck issues and the current trauma).

Besides ibuprofen, it is necessary to use a soft cervical collar for a few days, and warm procedures on the back of the neck.

If there is no improvement with such measures in the following days, you should see your Doctor.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (24 minutes later)
Any concern for cancer? Either brain tumor or other cancer?

Bleeding on brain?

Any other thoughts on what it could be?

and why it hasn’t responded to ibuprofen?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No reason to think about serious neurological conditions.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

I don't think that there is a need to be worried about serious conditions like those mentioned by you.

There is no reason to think about the tumor, cancer, etc.

If the pain originated from a neck, ibuprofen alone may be insufficient to improve your symptoms.

Use the before mentioned measures in order to get improved.

Hope this helps.

Regards


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (6 days later)
Dr. Spaho, good evening. I followed up with my PCP this morning and have the following to report. Please let me know your thoughts:

Still have headache (scale has reduced from 2-4 last week to 1-2 pain in the past couple days). I have been using a warm compress on my neck 2x per day plus stretching.

Headache is mostly focused on left side (unilateral), but can at times be felt across forehead, top of head and back of head (bilateral).

PCP said lets watch another week or two since I have not shown any of the following symptoms: No nausea, vomiting, blurry or double vision or slurred speech. PCP also prescribed a mild muscle relaxer for my neck to take 1x daily before bed.

PCP offered a CT scan and said for me to talk it over with my wife. He did not think there is any type of lesion in brain, but is a little perplexed at my symptoms.

Thoughts on if I should get the CT scan (peace of mind)? He believes that since I had hit my head 15 days ago (had headache constant these 15 days), it might have aggravated the superficial nerves, especially those on left side of head (side I hit).

My wife is concerned it could be a lesion or something and the hit to the head perhaps made the lesion and surround nerves irritated. I don't know what to think!?

I can pass general neurological tests such as closing eyes and touching nose, walking in a straight line with eyes closed and standing for 30 seconds on one foot with eyes closed, but my wife is convinced the sky is falling. Is she right?

My father passed away 3+ years ago from metastatic cancer to brain.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Answered below.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

I agree with your PCP opinion, the chances of a serious neurological condition are very low.

Since there is still a headache and concern from your wife, I should say you should go for a CT scan even to peace your mind.

I believe that your symptoms will subside with time.

Hope this helps.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (8 hours later)
Would feeling like a "fog" be considered a "concern" that should be addressed? A friend of mine is a neuro-oncologist and felt I might have post concussions symptoms from what I described to you and him. He recommended I take magnesium, zinc, tylenol and rest. Thought I could also have a small bleed but they would just monitor it anyway?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (15 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Answered below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

Feeling like "fog" is actually a possible post-concussion symptom.

It should improve with time and is not a serious one.

I don't think there is bleed, but this should be excluded with a CT scan.

I think your treatment is okay.

Hope this helps.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (14 hours later)
My wife just noticed my pupils were slightly different in size. Could this be caused (16+ days later) from the hit to the head or should I explore a trip to the emergency room? I understand it could be just what it is, but I saw online it could be from tumor, bleeding, etc...
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
It should be checked by the Doctor.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

If it is true that your pupils are not equal in size, this should be checked and confirmed by your Doctor.

CT scan of the head and brain become more indispensable in this setting.

A possible explanation for this inequality of pupils 16 days after head trauma may be delayed subdural hematoma.

Hope this helps.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4493 Questions

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Hit Head Walking Down Basement Steps 8 Days Ago. Still

Brief Answer: The pain may originate from the neck. Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service. I have read your query and here is my advice. Since 8 days passed without any significant neurological symptoms, your condition seems to be not a serious one. Headaches may originate from the neck (upper cervical nerves being pinched/irritated from past neck issues and the current trauma). Besides ibuprofen, it is necessary to use a soft cervical collar for a few days, and warm procedures on the back of the neck. If there is no improvement with such measures in the following days, you should see your Doctor. Hope you found the answer helpful. Let me know if I can assist you further.