I had a hell of a day

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: aidanjm
so why are you getting the headaches? could they be due to a sudden spike in blood pressure (i.e., your blood pressure going up quickly and dramatically). are you on any meds? do you use artificial sweeteners (aspartame)?

I'm not sure exactly, they might be just developing migraines or it might be a result of a certain supplement I was taking that shouldnt have been mixed with some other supps I was taking.

 

[aidanjm]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: aidanjm
so why are you getting the headaches? could they be due to a sudden spike in blood pressure (i.e., your blood pressure going up quickly and dramatically). are you on any meds? do you use artificial sweeteners (aspartame)?

I'm not sure exactly, they might be just developing migraines or it might be a result of a certain supplement I was taking that shouldnt have been mixed with some other supps I was taking.

what supplements are you on? amino acids? Herbs? Ginko has always given me a weird headache in the past (I get a weird throbbing in my head) - and it is included in lots of supplements these days. Aspartame (nutrasweet) can give people very bad headaches. some amino acids can produce deadly interactions if you are mixing them with certain anti-depressant meds.

taking male hormones (i.e., steroids) for muscle growth could also have unexpected consequences on blood pressure. I.e., can cause very high blood pressure. potentially lethal. I would be very careful. Also, disclose everything you have been taking (including illegal substances) to your doctor, so she/ he has the full picture.

from a google search on side effects of steroid use:

"Steroidal compounds and other supplements used by bodybuilders can trigger a hormonal imbalance, which will alter the persons endocrine system. This could explain why many athletes have had this problem [headaches]. Headaches are also a symptom of possible high blood pressure, which is another side effect associated with steroid supplementation."

If you're gonna use steroids for muscle growth, find a doctor who will monitor your health while you are on them. 🙂

 

[mdbound]

Originally posted by: DeathBUA

Originally posted by: iwearnosox

Originally posted by: DeathBUA

Originally posted by: iwearnosox

Originally posted by: DeathBUA

Originally posted by: iwearnosox

Originally posted by: DeathBUA

Originally posted by: iwearnosox
Many migranes are caused by magnesium deficiency, try taking high doses when you get them and see if it helps. If it does, take a reasonable daily dose.

And I've never heard nor read anything about that in any scientific circles/publications....

I've had a friend with a potential aneurysm and watched him get tapped at a world class medical facility specifically for that. So read all you want, blood in the spinal fluid is a clear indicator of an aneurysm.

Read what I posted 2 posts above....that whole long thing...

Uh. No.

Ok fine dont read it.....and yea I see that article google has...and it's one small study. Albeit with nice results but when I search my medical and nursing based literature I cant find much of anything on it. Well I find that research study that google keeps popping up. And the LP detecting aneurysm yea if it's an aneurysm that turns into a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

And yea I'm cutting and pasting from medical literature, big deal, and guess what I also work at a inner city trauma teaching hospital, I do have some idea of what I'm talking about here.

Well then you sound like a nice chap. Too much BS here on OT. I just know what I've seen and call it as such. Perhaps the doctor was cautious, I do not know. But the magnesium thing I do know, for it helped a close friend.

I understand where you are coming from but it's not a treatment we would normally use or consider for migraine pain. Just be cautious because high levels of magnesium even orally can lead to major medical issues.

As far as that doctor....who knows, in the case of an aneurysm a CT or MRI of the head would be more indicative of that problem than a LP. Basically because if that aneurysm has burst you are going to be in a world of trouble in a hurry. Perhaps the LP might show blood in the spinal fluid from the aneurysm leaking blood but again a CT/MRI of the head will be more diagnostic as to a condition such as that.

Actually, if you are going to do a CT scan (likely it was non-contrast) and thus only looking for "big things" and for blood, AND, the CT was negative, then you are obligated to do an LP. A non-contrast CT of the brain really only shows large masses and large amounts of blood. A slowly leaking aneurysm or other small CNS bleed would NOT be detectable by CT scan (lacks the sensitivity) for a small bleed. Thus, if the scan was read as normal, you are OBLIGATED to perform an LP to r/o bleed (both from a standard-of-care point of view, and a medico-legal point of view).

Most HA's are not going to be diagnosed from any number of tests and thus it's reassuring to have negative results, but you still have a HA and luckily you don't have a worsened, post-LP HA.

The supplements may be a good place to start. Try stopping them, one at a time to dx which one might be causing a problem. Also, some people develop a sensitivity to caffiene and this might be something to consider. I usually tell people to completely stop all caffiene intake (including things like chocolate) for at least 1.5-2 weeks. Also try to avoid pain killers as this can lead to rebound HA's. Finally, adding more agents (OTC supplements or prescription drugs), is probably NOT the best way to proceed....in my experience, peeling BACK on agents (again, both OTC supplemental/natural as well as pharmaceutical) is better.

Lastly, and most importantly for the OP.....this ATOT, not MDOT. Talk to your doctor, or get a 2nd opinion, or a sub-specialist consult (neurologist). They should see you, get a complete history (including supplements, diet, and drug history), do a good physical exam, do a complete neuro exam, and then recommend treatment.

MD.

 

[dethman]

there is so much medical misinformation in this thread i'm sick to my stomach.