I need advice: Super severe headache

[Platypus]

I get intense frequent migraines.. it could be as simple as that, or worse as glen suggests. You should go take care of it, your life is more important than insurance. It's worth doing Chris.

 

[iliopsoas]

Chaotic42,

If you still have this intense headache with nausea, consider seeing a physician. It may not be as bad as glen suggests, but severe headaches are concerning, especially if you've never had it before. It's hard to diagnose you without getting a more thorough history and doing a physical exam. For all we know, it may just be severe tension headache.

Other things to consider:
1. meningitis (as glen suggested). Usually with fever, stiff neck, headaches, nausea. May have a rash if it's caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningititis. Can you lie flat on your back with your legs straight and still be able to bend your neck?
2. migraine headaches. Very common. also have nausea, visual aura. aggravated by light and noise. improves with sleep, lying in a quiet room. Pulsatile. Usually occurs behind the eyes and around the temples. gradual onset, lasts from hours to 3 days.
3. cluster headaches. headaches that come on in a bunch. occurs several times a day for weeks or months at a time. and recurs at same time of day. Inhaling pure oxygen will relieve symptoms.
4. tension headaches. Most common. not very severe. chronic or periodic.
5. dental disease
6. temporomandibular joint disease
7. blood clots
8. aneurysm
9. intracranial hemorrhage. Subarachnoid hemorrhage --> people tend to describe as having "the worst headache of their life" with sudden onset.
10. tumors
etc etc etc

The point is...there are many potential causes to your headaches. If your headaches still persist, I strongly recommend seeing a physician or going to the local ER.


glen, just because you've had meningitis, it does not mean that chaotic42 has it too. don't jump overboard. you're a first year med student and you still have lots to learn. don't try to scare people to death by jumping to conclusion.

 

[KevinH]

Maybe it's a tumah...

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: KevinH
Maybe it's a tumah...

Heh, maybe.

The nausea is still here. It sucks. If I were at my job for 90 days, I don't think I'd go in tomorrow either.

 

[patrick409]

seriously, go to the doctors and get it checked out. My cousin died of a ruptured brain aneurysm like a month ago, and he had complained of severe headaches before. Consider me paranoid, but please get it checked out.

 

[Xionide]

Originally posted by: glen

Originally posted by: Chaotic42

Originally posted by: glen
Not always.
You have classic symptoms - headache, stiff neck, and brightlights hurt.
That does not mean you have it, but it does mean that you should immediately go to the emergency room.

Well, let me ask you this:

How much harm would I take if I waited until everyone woke up in an hour or so? I really don't feel like driving.

Possibly nothing, if it is not bacterial meningitis.
But, if it is, you will wake up with brain damage or dead.

Man you cant wake up dead, that sh!t is redundant.

 

[glen]

Originally posted by: iliopsoas
glen, just because you've had meningitis, it does not mean that chaotic42 has it too. don't jump overboard. you're a first year med student and you still have lots to learn. don't try to scare people to death by jumping to conclusion.

Never said it was meningitis.
I said it could be, and therefore it is serious, and you need to go to the ER immediately.
Same thing you said, btw.
And, this has nothing to do with medical school.
It is a random bit of trivia I knew many years earlier.

 

[glen]

Originally posted by: iliopsoas
don't try to scare people to death by jumping to conclusion.

???????
I never made a conclusion.
I did want him to go to the ER, however.

 

[kevinthenerd]

I'd say a doctor's visit seems to be the consensus.

It could be stress, or it could be dehydration, or it could be something deadly. Who knows? Personally, given the stakes, I wouldn't throw the dice on this one. You'd risk your LIFE just to get out of a few bills? Money obviously means too much to you.