Monday, December 08, 2008 Lyris asks

Q: Ongoing Headaches and New Lump

Hi there,

I have had an ongoing problem with headaches for going on 10 years. Every time I have been to see my doctor I am told it is my eyesight or stress. I am one of the least stressed people in the world and my vision always comes back perfect from eye tests.

These headaches can last anywhere up to 2 weeks and vary in levels from niggling and annoying, to full blown migraines with blurred vision and nausea.

It is getting to the point where having a headache - free day is a rare thing.

Over the past 6 months I have noticed a lump that has appeared on the base of my skull to the left of my spine. It is about 2cm wide. At first this lump did not hurt however it increased in size in time with my headaches and caused alot of stiffness and soreness in my neck. Once the headache had gone, it decreased in size again and was not sore to touch. My doctor dismissed this and did not even examine it last time I went to see him.

A few days ago I suffered one of the worst migraines I have had in years and was not able to open my eyes and was very nauseous with it. With this, the lump became more pronounced and seemed to be radiating pain up towards my forehead. It almost feels like it is pressing on something that is causing my head to hurt. The migraine has now subsided but I am still left with a headache. For the first time ever, the lump is now very painful to touch and has stayed pronounced for days. I am finding it difficult to move my head from side to side now because it pulls on the lump.

I have read a few posts about this but was wondering if anyone has had any similar experiences and knows what this could be? It is affecting my life in a big way now. I have booked another appointment to see a different doctor in a couple of days but for peace of mind I would appreciate any advice.

Answers (2)

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Eileen Gray

12/ 9/08 2:05pm

Hi Lyris!

First I'd like to say that you are doing the right thing by seeking out another doctor. I would be doing the exact same thing if my doctor was dismissing concerns that were so great to me!

If you are keeping a headache and Migraine diary - I would track how the lump feels when you get a Migraine or headache - that way you have documentation for your new doctor. The lump may be caused by numberous things and should be take seriously by a doctor if it is bothersome and changing. If you would like to start using a Migraine an headache diary - Teri Robert has made three different types that are downloadable HERE. A diary can be very beneficial when speaking with your doctor.

Are you taking any preventive medication at this time? Anyone who has more than three Migraines a month needs to be taking something for prevention. You can find a list of Migraine preventives HERE. There's growing evidence that Migraine is a progressive brain disease. A recent study showed that Migraines can cause brain damage, and that people with three or more Migraines a month are more susceptible to this damage. For more information, see Is Migraine a Progressive Brain Disease? and Yes, Migraines Can Cause Brain Damage.

I know you're going through a rough time. If you'd like some additional support, come join our discussion forum. You'll need to register again once there because it's a separate membership database, but you can use the same member name, email address, and password that you used here. You can find our forum at http://forums.healthcentral.com/discussion/migraine/forums.

I hope to see you over at the forum! Please stop by and let us know how you are doing and what the new doctor said!

Good Luck!

Eileen Gray

jvalenzueladuffy

12/ 9/08 12:11am

Hi,

I am writing for the first time. I have been struggling with this chronic migraine for the past 8 years. I am finding out that there are others out there with the same problems. I don't understand how and why doctors dismiss us. I too have the same lump in the back and I have one on my sternoclavicular joint on the right side the gapping is 8cm the normal is 2cm. All I know is that they hurt. The migraines have changed. I am going in for botox injections tomorrow. Do you get staff infections easily? I will bring up my lump issues and hope I don't get the pass around with doctors.

My vision is blurred since August 23, 2008 since I have been struggling with hemiplegic migaines. They mimic TIA's. Visual disturbance is something difficult to deal with since we can't see how we used to. I hope your vision stays good. Keep on your doctor and keep being an advocate for yourself, because if we don't do it no one else will!

Good luck,

Josee

Q: Ongoing Headaches and New Lump

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