Headaches, possibly related to Migraines

daisylover

I am experiencing headaches (similar to migraines) that can be triggered by bright lights or glare, or just happen without obvious trigger. Moving my head sometimes triggers this pain. Difficult to describe - it sometimes feels like a "hazey migraine", similar but more diffuse. I have had issues with migraines in the past, mostly associated with hormone fluctuations. While my migraine medicine (Midrin) dulls the pain, it does not wipe out the headache like it did for my migraines in the past. I am also needing to repeat dosing, which I did not often do in the past. I am experiencing these headaches daily. I have nausea that comes and goes as well. Weirdly, these headaches sometimes go away on their own without medication. A very recent head MRI shows a "mucous retention cyst in the left maxillary antrum". I received this result today and will contact my PCP to ask if this could be related. It is a minor finding.

I am in cycle 6 of the trial drug, Palbociclib, which causes Neutropenia for me. I started having these headaches during the second cycle. They are getting worse/more frequent. I have taken Tamoxifen daily, for 9 months. I am considering the possibility that either of these drugs or the cyst could be the cause...

Does anyone else have similar issues with headaches and nausea? Are they medication induced? How do you treat the headaches or nausea? When I eat, my nausea seems to disappear. Wish the headache would as well.

I will visit my PCP, but feel that knowing others' experiences from BCO has been the most helpful tool for fending off side effects... Thanks for ANY advice on headaches/nausea.

LW0919

hi daisy lover. I had a history of migraines prior to breast cancer and oddly enough, didn't have single migraine during chemo or radiation. However, since then I get headaches every week, sometimes lasting into the next day. Not always migraines but still even when their not, it's pretty rough And have been nauseated with many of them. I'm not sure if it's the tamoxifen or due to the hysterectomy I had and all the hormonal changes. It's not fun having them, that's for sure. I try to stay very hydrated and at the first feeling of one coming on, I begin taking 800 mg of ibuprofen. If it's on a weekend, I try to sleep it off, sometimes that helps. Hope yours get better soon. I know they are a pain, literally!

daisylover

LW - thank you for your response. I was having a really difficult head day... I think that you are correct - My husband and I were discussing the new headache patterns last night and came to the same conclusion that it is probably an issue of hormonal imbalance. (I have my ovaries shut down chemically with a monthly Lupron shot.) I appreciate the reminder to hydrate! I am trying to get back to daily exercise as well. I was counting on menopause ending my migraines. Wishing you headache-free days as well!