[lostinfantasies]

I've been getting headaches every single day for the past three, four months. They're at the front of my head, always on either the left or the right (but never both at the same time), and are sometimes quite close to where my eyes are. Just before those three/four months, I got quite a few migraines (complete with dizziness, nausea, flashing lights...the usual symptoms). I haven't been getting migraines since but I take migraleve around with me, just in case I need it if the symptoms come on.

I've been taking paracetamol most days, one dosage a day (on these headaches, I rarely take more than one dosage a day, thank God), but obviously I can't keep taking them. I've been to the doctor, who told me to go to the opticians. The optician fitted me with glasses, but said my problem wasn't bad enough to cause the bad headaches and migraines. Went back to the doctor who said to carry on taking the paracetamol. Went back again (I go regularly for counselling or whatever you want to call it) and she asked whether I get tingling, flashing lights, etc. At the time, I got the odd flash of light at the corner of my eye, but I didn't mention it because it always happened in work and I presumed it was something at work, something shiny perhaps. I always got a headache after those flashing lights however, but while I'm wondering whether they were migraines, I really doubt it because the pain didn't feel bad enough, you know?

And as for dizziness, nausea...that's happening all the time. It gets worse every now and then, but I'm basically dizzy or feeling nauseous for most of the day.

I've been feeling an awful lot of tingling in my hands and fingers lately, particularly when I feel extremely dizzy and need some fresh air. I've got exams coming up and I don't feel *that* stressed by them (I've got it easier than some of my college mates), but the doctor does seem to think it is stress. She doesn't want to see me until after my exams, as she doesn't want to interrupt them, but I'm just wondering whether I should make an appointment?

She asked me about my sleeping patterns, and because of the depression they're not that good anyway. But she recommended me "Nytol" which has worked wonders. I haven't used it for a couple of days and I'm sleeping fine. She said that the tiredness and funny sleeping patterns could attribute to my headaches, but I'm sleeping fine now and I'm still tired, feeling run down, dizzy, headache-y, etc.

I honestly don't know what's going on.

Should I make a telephone appointment first? I don't really want to make an actual face-to-face appointment as I don't want to bother anyone, and I'd rather just get the advice of the doctor as to whether I should come in.

Thanks for your help!

[(JD)]

IMO there is more than one thing going on, as is often the case with stress. I wouldn't trust my eyes and such problems to an optician. I see an neuroopthamalogist for the same symptoms.

Get as many doctors on your team as you can, and keep them all informed as to what you are trying and what is going on. Good self care is important. Feel better soon!

[January]

Hi Lost,

I'm so sorry this is happening to you. Please make an appointment right away and ask to see a nuerologist. I don't know what is happening, but a nuerologist is really knowledgable about such thing.

My very best to you,

Jan

i agree with both posters. go see a neurologist asap. please keep us updated. we share and we care! pat

huh.

Interesting, I get the exact same symptoms - though mine I find are alleviated with my toridol and mostly come from my back.

though since getting panic attacks I also get breif flashes of light, almost like pinpoints. And also get water droplets /cold/hot sensations on extremities and sometimes sleep seizures or spasms in only one limb at a time.

doc says its all stress. Then again they told me my heart palpitations were all stress too and they found Tachycardia and PVC's which stress aggravates, but doesnt cause specifically.
worth getting it checked out nonetheless

[lavendersteph]

i had the same thing it started in dec up untill a month ago i think it was stress related the meds my p doc put me on helped it alot but i'm no doctor if it concerns u see a doctor ques.? do u feel a slight burning sensation in ur head like if someone put a bit of pepper on it just wondering because i was getting that plus all the symptoms u mentioned hope u feel better real soon it's awfull to feel sick i know love steph

[lostinfantasies]

Headaches have eased slightly, thank God, although I still get a mild one every day. I'm a bit confused -- if it was stress, surely my headaches would get more frequent as the exams are getting closer, but I'm quite happy nonetheless