Monday, May 28, 2012
Sunday, February 08, 2009 kate asks

Q: Iwake up with tingling in right arm, throbbing pain on right side of head, it really hurts

I take tylenol and it relieves it for a while.  It lasts any where from 1-2 hours. What is it, and what do I need to do?

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Answers (2)
Teri Robert, Health Guide
2/ 9/09 12:12pm

Kate,

 

There are several possibilities here. Do you know if the tingling in your arm is related to the headache, or is it possible that you're lying on your right arm, causing it to "fall asleep?"

 

If  you're taking Tylenol more than two or three days a week, the Tylenol may be adding to the problem. Taking Migraine abortive meds such as the triptans or ergotamines or any kind of pain med more than two or three days a week can make matters worse by causing medication overuse headache (MOH), aka rebound. See Medication Overuse Headache - When the Remedy Backfires for more information on this.

 

It could be a Migraine, and it could be triggered by issues with your sleep. Too much, too little, disrupted, and poor quality sleep are all possible Migraine triggers. When people wake with Migraine, there sleep needs to be evaluated as a possible trigger.

 

Those are some possibilities, but what you need to do is see your doctor for diagnosis and possible treatment suggestions.

 

Hope this helps,

Teri

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3/ 5/09 10:18am

In addition to Teri's advice - consider having your cervical spine (neck) evaluated. I was having arm numbness and migraine when awake, or being awakened by it, and it turns out that in addition to migraine, I also have Facet Syndrome in my neck.  My migraine specialist neurologist prescribed some physical therapy for me, and the arm numbness is gone, my neck range of movement has greatly improved, and I feel better if I remember to straighten my posture and work in ergonomic positions. Before his evaluation I had not been aware that I had limited motion or considerable stiffness in my neck leading up and into my scalp and into my shoulders. This has increased my ability to exercise, which I find is also helping to reduce the intensity of my migraines.

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By kate— Last Modified: 12/25/10, First Published: 02/08/09