At what point is a headache concerning?

YesIamaDragon

I am now at almost 3 weeks with a headache. Not like my typical migraines, this goes all around my head. It sometimes gets worse after exercise, but not always. I have no fever, neck stiffness, nausea (beyond what is kind of baseline since finishing chemo). My vision is a little blurry but that has already been diagnosed as blepharitis from the Kadcyla and hasn't changed recently, since the headache started.

My oncology NP doesn't think it is anything to be concerned about and referred me to my PCP, but I haven't seen her since my cancer treatment started, and am scheduled for a routine visit in 3 weeks. I left a message for the oncologist but I haven't heard back yet.

Thoughts? At times I panic, and at other times I tell myself I am being silly.

wallycat

You certainly need to get to the bottom of it for the mere fact that living with a headache is unpleasant. Headaches can be caused by simple things like allergies, stress (when I grit/grind my teeth, I often get a tension headache), sleeping funny, sinus congestion and many times, high blood pressure. My sister had horrible headaches for months and was finally dx with hypertension.

But.....you know your body and you know how you normally feel and if this is concerning enough, I would push for a scan to rule things out, if for nothing else than for peace of mind.

Best to you.

2019whatayear

It could be a ton of things and the big majority of the time it is. I would push for that scan to rule cancer out.

xoxo

flashlight

I would call your PCP and ask if you could get in sooner. Was your B/P okay when you saw the NP? Have you had any labs done recently? Have you been drinking a lot of red wine?

Melbo

my MO had me get a brain MRI after three weeks of lightheadedness, so it would seem reasonable to get a brain MRI after three weeks of a headache. In both cases brain Mets are only a tiny possibility, but ifyour insurance will pay for it, it seems worth ruling it out so you can focus on other causes.

LivinLife

The other posed helpful ideas and questions for sure. I would only ask if you're hydrated enough too.... I agree you know your body and if this is not normal for you then it's understandable you're on alert and concerned. I too would suggest seeing if you can get into PCP sooner though if not possible message onco and PCP again with an update on your ongoing headache and concern..... Do you have access to an urgent care? They would be limited in what they can offer really though just an idea if your run a zero with PCP and onc....

wallycat

And COVID. Headaches are common...have you been tested? This may be your only symptom.

YesIamaDragon

Thank you all, I am just afraid of panicking about nothing. I did message again.

I did have COVID a year ago, and the headache was horrible. This is a little like that but not as bad. I am fully vaccinated, and have no other symptoms.

I have been really pushing liquids, and am pretty sure I am not dehydrated. I do have a lot of muscle tension in my neck, though, so am hoping that is it.

My blood pressure runs low, and that hasn't changed, either. I don't drink anything, and I had been avoiding chocolate (!) in case that might be a trigger but it didn't seem to make a difference so I just had some

I will also try adding antihistamine back to my meds, as the snow is melting fast here, so even though there isn't any pollen yet, there are a lot of old leaves and such being revealed.

YesIamaDragon

So I decided to leave the anastrazole out for one day. May be just a coincidence, but the headache went away! And hasn't come back even though I started it right back up.

I heard from my MO (who I hadn't heard from earlier because she was out with her own medical issues) who doesn't think the headache is concerning for mets.

Nutfarmer

I had a headache for several weeks and my oncologist ordered a brain MRI. Everything was ok but I was happy she ordered it.

Happy your headache went away. Hoping it stays that way.

2019whatayear

I hope you stay headache free!!

KorynH

I had a daily headache for 5 weeks when it became so bad I went to urgent care. They gave me an injection of Imitrex and oral dosing for at home. Neurology prescribed nortryptaline and that seems to be working mostly with breakthrough headaches responding to Motrin. My neurologist sent me to neurosurgeon when my head mri showed an enhancing lesion in my skull. He wanted to wait 3 months which we did and rescanned three weeks ago and it is still there. They will be performing a craniectomy on my skull September 17 to remove it. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared. A day has not gone by in 5 + months without a headache. With history of BC and migraine ruled out my doctors don't waste time going through diagnostics. Let me know if you decide to pursue further imaging.

illimae

I think having a headache more than two days and being HER2+ warrants a brain MRI for sure.

Have you had one? Did the headache go away?