Headaches- When to call Onco
Edited to remove stuff that prob wasn't relevant.
Symptoms and Tests:
Dec 2016: Neurologist ordered MRI head and neck for Lhermitte's sign (a painless shocking sensation of gen bending neck). Test negative. Flexion neck X-ray positive for 2mm c2-c3 subluxation. Treated with hard collar for several months. Lhmetties sign mostly gone but subluxation was the same. Neuro rec'd to see Spine surgeon. I never did.
Mid May had Chest CT-clear
July 10: chest X-ray clear. Blood work all fine (including heart).
July 22: woke up with headache. Over next 5 days got worse. On 6th day also developed upper back pain (pretty bad). ER did Head and neck CT with contrast which was negative.
Okay now for my narrative:
That was 13 days ago. Back pain has happened a couple times since but mostly is fine BUT I have not had one day with no headache and even when it doesn't hurt it feels full. Or like someone is pushing on the top of my head. I also have had pretty severe ear pain but no fluid or infection. NP at PCPs thinks it's related to spine.
I have not called my onc. i don't think it's cancer related but sometimes I wonder if I'm In denial. I had NO pain with the subluxation at all, no headaches, no neck pain- nothing. And I've had the subluxation for 8 months. The headaches are new the last 2 weeks.
Would you call the onc? I don't have to worry about my brain with the CT right? Anyone had something similar happen? Opinions welcome.
Ps- I had Stage 3 but pCR at surgery Dec 2016! Woot woot.
Ps again- I forgot to mention that a week ago I had a few episodes where my thumb twitched. It wasn't fast and it was About 30 sec each. Happened 4 times that day and hasn't happened since. I THiNK it was a muscle twitch but not like one I've ever had before. My whole thumb moved.
Comments
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It never hurts to call MO and see what the nurse thinks and go from there.
Take care!
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The headache may be a symptom of the subluxation. I've found postural alignment exercises help reduce my sciatic pain. Have you been to a physical therapist?
When I get any sort of muscle twitching I make sure to get my minerals (magnesium and potassium).
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Generally, mets pain is both persistent and progressive. Your pain is persistent but is it getting worse?
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thanks so much for taking the time to reply!!!
I have not had any PT as I have not seen a spine surgeon. When the subluxation was discovered it didn't hurt at all. I am seeing him in two weeks, and see what he thinks. I imagine PT is an option, maybe injection. I really don't want surgery if possible. It was only a 2mm shift when flexing. I did some reading since posting and that isn't even on the grading scale... but my symptoms do fit.
Travel- yes, I think they are slowly getting worse. 2 weeks ago when they started I'd have said 4 of 10 on pain scale. The day they did CT I'd have said 6. Last night and today, maybe 7 or 8.
I'm trying a bunch of home things. Mouth guard, in case TMJ. And I'm gonna wear my collar again during the day. I think I'm even gonna get a soft one for sleeping.
For some reason though, I just don't want to call my MO. (Negative CT!)
Thanks again ladies.
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LR, you really need to see your MO, since you must rule out any chance that it may be mets. Keep us posted.
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I agree with Travelrext. Ongoing symptoms should be reported. Sorry you are dealing with this
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