I went to Montefiore and they diagnosed me with "New Perisistent Daily Headache" and they are sending me for a brain MRI with and without contrast which I will have tomorrow morining. I'm very frightened as I've never had the contrast before. If you comment, please don't scare me.

I've also been having terrible tingling in my right hand and up my arm as well as a little in the right. I went to Orthopedic dr. and they're doing a nerve test on Thursday morning. My hands are always cold now too, especially the right hand. I don't know what's happening to me and I'm scared. I need to see a vascular person next too for the cold hands.


Please pray that everything comes out okay. Every time I turn around it's something new.

Thanks.
Karen

I meant to write NEW DAILY PERSISTENT HEADACHE - oops

I am praying for you, let us know when you find anything out.

(((((karen)))))
i can't imagine how hard & scary this all is. you've been so strong through all of it. i can't comment too much on the procedure, though i have had a contrast mri before & it was uneventful (can't recall if it was of the brain - i was getting tingling & coldness as well at the time).

i hope it all goes well & that it will help to provide answers & ultimately, relief.

always keeping you in my thoughts & prayers. with best wishes tomorrow & the days ahead.
love,
ellen

((((Karen)))) Turbo prayers and very positive thoughts going out to you G/F! I feel so bad that you have been suffering for so long. I wish I could do more than give you computer hugs!!!

((((((((((((Karen))))))))))))))

SusanC

Thank you ken, ellen and Susan. I'm so disturbed by all of this I can't even express myself very well right now.

((((((((((Karen))))))))))))))) I send you my support and good thoughts for healing and relief. I have had the contrasting MRI of the brain. I was too scared before I had it done. Having done it, I can say the procedure was fine - there was no difference from it and the non-constrasting except for the "dye" ... no pain, nothing different done, I didn't feel any different, etc. It was truly an OK procedure to have. Keep us posted, Kathleent

Karen, Don't worry about the MRI. I had one done also due to daily headaches and migraines. I had with and without contrast and it was ok. I freaked out when they said they were going to inject me with something. I freaked out over nothing. It was painless. I also get the cold hands on and off, and yes especially in the right hand with tingling. I have had every kind of blood test and everything comes back pretty much normal. I think it all has to do with the fluctuating hormones. I am not as bad as I was one year ago or even 2 years ago. I thought I was dying 2 years ago. Things do get better, but not fast enough! It is always best to have these tests done just to rule out any serious issues. I still get the dull headaches and migraines sometimes for a week or two at a time and pressure on the right side of my head. I get the sore scalp and pain in the eyeball stuff at times too along with the wooshing sound in right ear. It all comes and goes.
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers in hopes that this will all go away soon.

Hugs,
Linda

(((((Kar)))))

it will all be ok, i'm sure. i know you're nervous and even scared, but i'm so proud of you that you're getting this done and will soon be able to put this in the past, feel better and move on with life... pain free!!!

please know you're in my thoughts and prayers -
gyz

Kar, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

big hugs, Barb

Thank you Kathleen and Linda for the information and not terrifying me and for your support.

Thank you gyz and 2sons for your thoughts and prayers.

You're all the best and I'm grateful to everyone of you who responded.

I have had an MRI and CT scan of my brain 3 years ago..by the way, I go in the open MRI...never the closed. I had a CT scan of my sinuses last Monday and that was fine.

Hugs,
Karen

Hi Karen --

I'm sorry I haven't been around much but I'm not doing well myself I just want you to know that I'm thinking of you and I will try and get on MSN later if I can. ((hugs)) dear friend.. try not to worry too much ...

(((Kar)))
You know I had a never ending headache for nearly a year - I know it wasn't as severe nor as long lasting as yours - just wanted to tell you that it disappeared just as suddenly as it came.
Please try not to worry - you've had reassuring replies here from ladies who have had it this scan and know what they're talking about.
Just wanted to add - I get very cold hands and feet when I'm anxious. You have had a lot of anxiety and worry about this pain for a long time, your muscles in your neck/back are probably very tight and they can cause the tingling and coldness in your hands.
You are in my prayers.
We are all holding your hand tomorrow morning, remember!
God bless you and encircle you in His love,
Jonie

Dear Karen
You are on my Prayer list ,honey.I know how much you have suffered with this continuous headache.Try to be as calm as possible although easier said than done.
Do you have a good friend or relative that can be with you as you have your Test done?
Please let us know the results
May God hold you tight
God Bless
Elizabeth

I HAD A BRAIN MRI WITH AND WITHOUT CONTRAST, AND I TOO WAS SCARED. A LONG TIME AGO, I HAD ONE AND IT MADE ME FEEL HOT ALL OVER (LIKE I WAS PEEING TOO!!!), JUST UNCOMFORTABLE, ESP. WHEN YOURE ALREADY ANXIOUS. BUT I HAD 2 THIS YEAR AND THEY USE A DIFFFERENT CONTRAST AND YOU CANT EVEN TELL THEY PUT ANYTHING IN YOU. A LOT BETTER THAN BEFORE. PRAYERS AND GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!

Dearest (((((Karen)))))

My thought's and prayers are with you. Please please try to relax as much is humanly possible at this time, at least you have access to these tests to rule out all the possiblities that I'm sure are going through your mind a million miles an hour where here we don't have that so we are left to wonder and misdiagnose ourselves in a neverending viscious cycle. The ladies who have had this procedure were very reassuring and I'm sure once they had had it and had reassurance they are fine their symptoms probably eased up and disappeared in time. For example many years ago when I finally had an endoscopy to see where my very real pain was coming from they told me I had no stomach cancer but I did have a hiatal hernia and within a few days of that procedure my pain disappeared as quickly as it had appeared (had had it for 3 yrs). Now whether they pushed the stupid hernia back into place during that procedure or whether just knowing I had nothing truly serious wrong eased my worry hence easing the pain, who knows, but I do know the mind is a very powerful tool.

Muscle tension can also cause those tingling feelings in your arms and hands and I'm sure your muscles are super tight from all this anxiety and worry, it's only natural.

Hang in there Karen, be strong and keep the faith

Let the arms of the sisters of da surge enfold you and keep you calm

Kia kaha

Karen..........big hugs and prayers to you my friend.........(((((((kar)))))))))........my IM is messed up so I havent been able to catch up with you lately....Valerie

Karen.....just wanted to let you know I will be thinking of you and praying that all goes well. I hope you finally get some answers and will get some relief from your headache and other symptoms.

Karen, I can understand your anxiety about these tests, but I am sure they will be a piece of cake. And hopefully you will get to the bottom of your headache issues. I have had a migraine for 3 days, so I am feeling especially compassionate towards your plight today!! Good luck and be sure and keep us updated.

Hugs

kar,
i, too, have had the mri w/and w/o contrast. it is really very simple and easy. you'll do just fine, sweetpea. i'll be thinking about you, keeping you in my prayers.
oodles of hugs
(((angel)))

((((Karen))))) just throwing out some hugs your way....

Karen,

Big hugs to you. I hope the test provide some answers for you, I know you have been suffering so much and my heart goes out to you.

Please PM me and let me know if I can help you in any way.

All the best,
Plumeria

The contrast agent they use for MRIs doesn't have side effects like the "stuff" they give you when they're doing a CAT scan or other tests like IVP, etc. It doesn't make you flush or get hot, you probably won't notice any difference.

Also know that once they give you the contrast agent, you'll be almost done. The final series w/the agent is short compared to the amount of time w/out the agent.

If you're nervous, tell the MRI folks and they'll give you a valium or call your doctor beforehand and he'll phone one in.

Most important thing about getting an MRI....close your eyes and don't open them, LOL. That's the best advice anybody gave me when I first started getting them.

Hope you get some answers.

Sending thoughts and prayers your way.

LLW

Hope everything went well for you.

I have had an increase in headaches in the past year. When I first went into peri I had migraines monthly. That ended for a few years and I recently (I am closer to menopause), I have been getting them frequently and varying duration and intensity. I asked for compazine for the nausea that was really debilitating.

I hope the headaches will be nothing more than a nasty perimenopause symptom for you.

Thank you everyone. I appreciate all your words of comfort, prayer and support. I'm really nervous. My test in in 1 1/2 hours. Just to let you all know, I'm post now. I haven't had a period in 2 years. This all started in peri....my body completely changed.

See you all later....

Good luck. Hope everything turns out fine.
Glor

Well, I made it through the test with and without contrast. It wasn't bad at all...only 18 minutes in the MRI which is considered closed by the way but not as closed as the big tube. I was happy that it takes the same pictures as the big tube because I asked about it. The true open one is open on both sides...the one I was in was about 1/2 the size of the regular tube.

Praying for good results.

Thanks you all again....I am so grateful to all of you for the support you've given me.

Hugs to all,
Karen

YAY! so glad to hear that test is over!!! also great to hear you did just fine... we knew you could do it!!!

please keep us posted when you receive your report, which by the way, we're believing for it to be good!



gyz

Kar,

So glad you braved it through... I just had that all done last weekend.. went to ER for headaches, and mainly for the right eye drooping and pupil smaller.. man did they do the tests on me right away! Saw 3 neuro's, ER docs, residents Had the MRI with and without contrast (and believe me I always feared one of those) had 2 CT scans, with and without dye... and Xrays, blood work... and like you I didnt think it was that bad, I was in the MRI for 45 mins though.. ick! It is just LOUD!! They found nothing or so they say!!!

Anyhow they say I have Horners syndrome.. anyone ever hear of that.. yea it is rare, but they arent sure of the cause.. my eye is still droopy and the pupil a bit better but that right side of my head still hurts and feels pressure! Ahh will it ever end!!

Love to you all!
L

bimmergal- my dog had horner's syndrome. At times her eye would look much improved. In dogs they have the third eyelid and it would start to close.

Oncourse.. Hello and thanks for responding..

Sooo Your dog had it, so you heard about it.. wow I never have.

Did it go away.. I just want my EYE back.. lol!
thanks!!

Karen, Good for you. Take some deep breaths and realize what you've done - you faced a fear and walked into it. That takes great courage. Keep us posted on what you learn and I'm sending all good thoughts your way. Kathleent

Thank you everyone. I have so much going on it's not funny. I'm grateful to all of you for responding.

bimmegal.....I'm sorry you're suffering too. I've never heard of Horners Syndrome. What are they doing for you if anything?


Hugs,
Karen

Linda, can you describe the head pressure, very strange feeling that I also seem to get on my right side and stress seems to emphasize it more. Certain situations seem to emphasize many symptoms.

Best
Susan

I have a daily headache now and have for 2 weeks.. arrg. I have always suffered with headaches, but usually once in awhile and for 2 days, and after having lots of Advil, they would go away. Anyhow my eye droops and all docs said it is due to headaches (I had MRI, 2 CT scans and Xrays) which caused the horners syndrome.. but then my GP doc said it isnt horners syndrome when I saw him yesterday. Oh brother..
anyone else get the daily headache? I mean it isnt BAD, but I feel it and my eye hurts!!!!
thanks girls~


~L

I have been having daily headaches too. Some days are much worse than others and I have no idea what is causing them. Could be my meds, but I went through a long period of time when I was not having them. I took some tylenol a little bit ago and now I feel the nausea coming on. Does it EVER end?

HA.. I dont know if it evers end, in the last year such weird things are happening to me, I am 42. I do take Zoloft and Lunesta but the docs didnt say anything about that. I just know my eye hurts behind on the right side where the headache is.. I see an opthalmologist next.. arrg. I also thought it was just a sinus thing.. since I had a sore throat before the headache and then got swollen glands.. BUT no one seems to know. I am better since having antibiotics but the head and eye pain persist.

Hi Susan. The pressure is usually behind my eyes and sinus area. Somtimes I feel pressure in my ears also. Most of my head stuff is on the right side except for when I get a bad migraine, then the pain starts with right side sinus pressure and fullness along with pain on the left back of my head. This has been the worst of all of this peri/meno stuff. I have found that taking a zyrtec tablet helps when I feel the sinus pressure starting. Oh yeah, sometimes after going to bed lately I have noticed when I get the surges or hot flashes, what ever the heck they are, I get the pressure and pain behind my right eye as if all of the blood is being forced to that area. Kind of a throbing pain. If I focus on relaxing, it will subside. This week for me it is IBS, at least I hope that is all it is. The headaches have let up but the pain in my stomache along with nausea has been awful. Who knows what next week will bring:( I have read here on the PS site of many women who have the one sided head stuff going on. I am sure it is hormonal since I have had almost every blood test, MRI's and ultrasounds done. The best of luck to you through all of this. Feel free to PM anytime.
Linda

this is the same stuff that I had happen in the very beginning of this nightmare. My throat would get red and sore, along with the eyepain/sinus migraines mostly on the right side. I was always taking antibiotics thinking it was a sinus infection. I am not sure nor is my neuro, as to why this was happening. My GP seems to think it is all hormone related. Since being on hrt, it is not as bad as it used to be, and I haven't taken an antibiotic in over a year, but it still flares up at least once a month. Usually just taking ibuprophen and zyrtec will help. Sometimes the bones around my right eye hurt badly. I also went to an opthamologist 2 years ago when it was real bad. He said this seems to be common in women around menopause. I could not believe I heard him say that! I hope and pray for all of us suffering with this very painful symptom that it ends real fast! I pray every night asking not to wake up with a headache.

Linda

My mother was in the hospital earlier this week. I wanted to go see her the day she got out, but I had a headache coming on, so I jumped and ran out the door before I changed my mind. By the time I got there I could barely open my eyes. I sat with them alright, with my eyes closed and my head fixed. I was afraid to even move. I have a headache right now, and I have taken tylenol, but the pain is still there.

TW are you still on the BCP, if so and if it's a high dose one it could be this contributing to your daily headaches. The last BCP I ever took many many years ago before I had my kids was a high dose one and it gave me terrible daily headaches and other horrid stuff too including severe anxiety.

Also while I was on my AD for 18 months I hardly ever had a headache but as soon as I tapered off it I had daily headaches for months. It's only been in the past 2 months that they have stopped only to be replaced by other worse stuff I definitely felt a shift in hormones around the time they stopped but to be honest I think I prefered the headaches to what I'm dealing with now

Rox, I am on a low dose bcp. Switched to a lower dose for cost reasons. The blood pressure medicine could be causing them too, but I don't know. I'm gonna have a full work up done when my medical insurance kicks in on May 1. Hopefully find out why I'm nauseated much of the time too.

So glad its over for you hon, just try and stay positive.
Im sure all will be well.
remembering you in my prayers,
blessings,
Arlene

Well, the MRI was normal thank God. I had my hand checked for carpal tunnel this past week and I don't have that either. Now to figure out why my right hand is tingling, feeling like it's burning and cold most of the time. I'm going to see a vascular dr. now on 4/7 to check to see if I have Raynaud's. I'm going to have him check my big toe on left foot as it goes numb and turns white in the cold and it only takes a few minutes to get that way even with wool socks on and boots. Podiatrist did do vascular and nerves tests which came out fine but I have pictures of my toe and I showed it to him and he's not sure if it's Raynaud's so vascular dr. should be able to tell me. This tingling in hand, burning and cold hands just started this past few months along with the toe thing. It's one thing after another - it's driving me nuts. I might as well just check out everything as I was a heavy smoker until 12/1/01 when I quit and I need to take care of this now the best I can.

Thank you all for your support. Here's a link for the New Persistent Daily Headache was diagnosed with:

http://headaches.about.com/lw/Health-Medic...t-Headaches.htm

I hope it's okay to post that.

Hugs,
Karen

Karen - I just wanted to say how happy i am for you that everything was OK. Perhaps the headaches will ease a little now that you need not worry it is anything dangerous and you might be a little less stressed about it.

I had a lot of pins & needles in my arms when i got anxious about some chest pain recently. Anxiety can do this. I also have a friends with Reynauds who has the cold extremities you describe. I think i have a tendency that way too - some days i cannot warm up and the only thing i can do is immerse myself in a hot bath!

((Hugs))

Karen - so glad that the MRI came back okay - like Squiggle I get the pins and needles in my arms all the way to my hands when I am stressed or anxious - I think I 'clench' my shoulders and back and the arm feelings happen because of the tension.....

hang in there dear...it has to get better...

cic

Crazy - I never thought of it like that - it really helps to think of a physical link - thanks!

I've never had the tingling, pins and needles in my hands or anywhere else from anxiety or stress, interesting. Now my left foot is tingling...what the heck is going on with me.