QuestionI'm a 22 year old otherwise healthy male. About 4 months ago I developed a really bad localized headache in the back of my head (about 2 inches above my right ear and 2 inches toward the back of my head). I had it for awhile and he made me naseus and times and ringing ears, it stayed for about a month, went away for about a month, and now is back and in the same exact spot and its hurting me. The other day i was feeling really naseus again but it went away but the pain is still there, pretty much a constant dull pain that intesifies throughout the day. Also sometimes it seem as if my vision is a little off. When I first developed this about 4 months ago I went to the ER and they did a CT Scan (without the dye) and said that it was normal. I'm really worried and concerned about it being a anuerism. I don't know why but I'm just freaked out. Also I dont have health insurance so I can't go see a neurologist. I would appreciate any opinions or advice. Would an anuerysm cause the recurrent, very localized pain that I'm experiencing? and the nature of the pain? thanks so much, im really freaked out please write back. also i noticed that my right eyelid is a little more droopy than my left, im not 100% sure but I think that this had been like this from some time. I was looking at some pictures from about 2 years ago and it looks as if it looks the same now.
AnswerI think you should see a neurologist (and try your best to get health insurance, whatever it takes.) The good news is that, though of course I can't diagnose you, sometimes migraines cause ptosis and vomiting, or drooping of the eyelids. I'm a nurse, not a doctor, and of course neither a doctor or any kind of practitioner could diagnose you over the internet, but here are a few thoughts about your symptoms...
Your age group makes me think about concerns such as meningitis, which would require a spinal fluid sample to diagnose.
Regarding aneurysms, they are diagnosed by CT scans and MRIs but **angiography with contrast** is the best method. Since CT scans can appear normal even with the presence of an aneurysm, your spinal fluid should be drawn and checked for blood if the doctor suspects and aneurysm, according to Cedars-Sinai medical institute. (http://www.csmc.edu/aneurysm/aneurysm.html)
Here's the site regarding migraines, and I have quoted the section related to eyelid drooping:
http://www.neurologychannel.com/migraine/index.shtml
"Ophthalmoplegic migraine begins with a headache felt in the eye and is accompanied by vomiting. As the headache progresses, the eyelid droops (ptosis) and nerves responsible for eye movement become paralyzed. Ptosis may persist for days or weeks."
In a nutshell, please get to a neurologist. Your symptoms could be just what you are worried about or might not, but you need to find out, because prevention is better than waiting to treat after the fact.
Thanks for being concerned enough about your health to seek advice on allexperts. I hope you will get seen by a doctor as soon as you can, and I appreciate followup reports on what you find out.
-Nurse Maggie
