Pain Behind Eyes/headache

[annieigma]

bit of advice required please. Female,66 years of age, had thyroid problems for many years, but took the iodine pellet 2 years ago, no further medication on that problem. irregulat heartbeat, prescribed verapomil. blood pressure around 160/85. Earlier History: breast cancer when aged 30, had stroke after operation, but all healed up and has had normal life.
For the last 6 weeks had pains behind the eyes and headaches most of the day, sometimes very severe. also affected by bright light, has to shade eyes. Doctor prescribed Sudafed for one week, no difference. second doctor thinks it may be migraine attack and prescribed Zolmitriptan 2.5mg. After reading the warnings in the info sheet the patient is a bit concerned about taking the tablets. Has anyone had these tablets, or similar symptoms? We do realise that all tablets have warnings of possible side effects, but these, when checked online advises that the first tablet should be taken in the doctors surgery in case of sudden side effects. bit scary.
thank you,
annie.

[Sqad]

Never read the instructions in the tablet pack.

No, I have never taken Zolmitriptan.

Yes, it could be migraine but the symptoms are not typical.

Take the tablets and the advice of the GP and if there is no improvement after a week then report back to your GP.

If the headaches are better....then it is migraine.

[anneasquith]

I disagree with sqad :) I would never take medication before reading the instruction leaflet,,,

[mayennaise]

I take these - they are brilliant! They make my migraine depart within about 30 mins!

[annieigma]

Thank you all,
tablet will be taken on monday morning when we know the local hospital actually has staff, just in case of allergic reaction. It says on the paperwork that one in ten suffer a reaction, and one in a hundred have serious reaction, so will have a quiet weekend and hope the patient is one of the 99.
thanks again,
annie.

[annieigma]

update,...... pain in head out of control sunday night, right eyelid droop over eye, unable to see properly. medics came, taken to hospital, pain killers given, head x-ray showed mass on brain, but doctors cannot understand symptoms, as patient had stroke 25 years ago and it may be residue from that. patient normal in speech, brain power, limb motion, in fact, all normal. now started seeing colours and squares, cannot use both eyes as double vision. MRI que, so not until sunday, so that is a week from hospital admission. They marked on the ward board to hand the case to stroke unit, but patient already taking warfarin ( which is up and down at every test) and verapomil for uneven heartbeat. Doctors are foreign chaps, and we do not understand every word, we just glean bits here and there.So, could it have been a bleed, a stroke, or is a tumour the likely outcome? Or, as our GP thinks, severe migraine??? the headaches have been consistant for 3 months. must say, when 30 mg of codeine and 500 of paraceteamol was administered at the hospital the patient was soon pain free and really happy. We are adults, please speak as you find. Must just add, think its poor show that the MRI machine has a normal waiting list of 12 weeks, and they had to fit us in a week after the hospital admission, only because there was a cancellation, we have sat for three days waiting for a slot, worry, good news ( just stroke) or bad news etc.
Annie.
Annie.
Annie.

[annieigma]

Hi,
patient had bleed/stroke and fit tonight, and died.But was in Hospital 6 days ago with severe headache problems. they couldn't do an mri as they were fully booked, said come back on sunday. too late, a lovely lady lost Her life. medical insurance is the only answer I think.

[237SJ]

That`s so sad and I`m so sorry. I can`t believe the GP thought that it was a migraine. I`m not an expert but it does sound like it could have been some sort of mass that was putting pressure on the brain. I would certainly be asking the hospital to provide some answers as to why the lady had to wait so long for an MRI. That`s simply not good enough.

[Mamyalynne]

Very sad outcome Annie - it is often difficult to know what to say.


After treatment for bowel cancer , my late husband experienced severe headaches, the GP suggested stress, we thought differently and were right, it was secondary brain tumours.

There is no such thing as a perfect experience.


Take care Annie.x