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Headaches after subarachnoid hemorrhage, possible nerve palsy

by cmorera, Jan 15, 2006 12:00AM
About 6 years ago, I had all the symptoms of subarachnoid hemorrhage, at age 21.  I researched, and found it was unlikely I was having a stroke since my young age, but nonetheless all the symptoms were there.  I went into the mergency room severeal days later, complaining of stroke/heart attack symptoms (sicne my heart was being effected also), and all they told me was that I wasn't having a heart attack from ECG, and I they took CAT scan and everything 'checked out' there with brain tumors ext...



But I defentiely had decreased consciosness, tingling/numbness, and well as sudden severe/debilitating headache, blurred vision especially on my right side, and I Had a fever for a few days also immediately after this happened. From everything that happened, I am pretty sure NOW that I did have this hemmorhage 6 years ago, even though I was young, I did not go immediately to the emergency room when it happened, the sudden headache, since I just laid down and passed out kinda, and was out for a day or two, its hard to remember.  It just wasn't even in my vocabulary to think it was a stroke, its not something a 21 yr old thinks abuot, so I just 'laid' it out.



SINCE THAT TIME, I have had an immediate and persistent headache, on both sides of my head, into my neck and sholders, to the front of my face, and throughout my head.  I got reccomended to a nuerologist through KAiser (my HMO), and he though it might be trigeminal nueralgia, something I had never heard of.  Anyways, tegretol had no effect of me, other than making it hard for me to even walk in a strait line.  (continued)
Member Comments (7)

by cmorera, Jan 15, 2006 12:00AM
(continued), so, the nuero did a MRI, and came up with nothing, and on my last visit he was just confused about my persistent headaches (for 6 years now, I first went to him several months after they initially started), and basically he was stumped, and said I should take an HIV test.  Well I know theres no way I have HIV, but my problem is, I sitll have this headaches all the time.  I started researching a few weeks ago, and I came to the conclusion that 1) I did have subarachnoid hemorrhage back 6 years ago, and 2) I read that its possible that cranial nerves can be damaged in this occurence, and possible leave headaches.



So, I suspect my constant headaches are result from nerve damage in the brain stem that effected cranial nerves (nerve palsy).



ANYWAYS, my question is, 1) is there anything that can treat/cure damaged nerves such as a case like mine?  Nothing I read about mentioned any cure/treatment, I do not consider pain killers or anti-D's a treatment   2) how should I go about to my nuero explaining my 'stroke' I think I have, but the ER when I went in, coudln't explain what happened 6 years ago?  I also read that in cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage, correct diag can be made from lumbar tap, and MRA, neither of which I ever received.  





My life is pretty limited recently, this constant headache for 6 years now limits what I can do, also my vision in right eye seems to be hard to focus, and weird.



OK, thanks any answers appreciated!

by STUCKATHOME, Jan 16, 2006 12:00AM
You must get another opinion from a neurologist.  I had a similar experience with my first one.  She said it was in my head.  The second opinion said all the problems I have now are from my migrains some I have without having a headach.  Call some and ask if they specialize in what you problem is.  Don't give up  I am going to a third one this week.  I want to get well.

by cmorera, Jan 17, 2006 12:00AM
:(  i dont think i have much option with KAiser and plus its gunna end up costing me a lot, which is oK< but i feel like i am getting bounced around, so my appointments are like a 'see you in 2 months' trip, which in this case is not so good.





I need to learn to communicate with my nuero ...

by mekoenig, Nov 29, 2008 10:40PM
To: Patients recovering from SAH
I had a sub arachnoid hemorrhage 11 weeks ago.  I went to the hospital after 24 hours.  I did not know what was wrong with me and I thought I was really sick with a terrible head pain and neck pain and then I felt sick and went to bed and passed out for 4 hours.  Then, I layed around and fell in a out of sleep with no rest from the pain.  In the morning, I sent to the Dr., who sent me to Emergency at the hospital.  They did a spinal tap and a ct scan.  The spinal had blood in it and they rushed me to Mpls. where the neruosurgeons were waiting.  They did an angiogram and a 2 hr. MRI and located the small vein that bled.  I did not need any meds and am healing on my own.  

I slept for about 2 days when I came home and could not walk very well.  I took percacet for three days and the headache stopped.  Everyday I knew I was getting better.  

I recently had my family over for a Thanksgiving Dinner and then took another son and family out to dinner the next day.  My head hurts and I am wondering if this occurs for the rest if they have too much excitement or overdo.  My husband thinks I did too much and I need to rest.  

I am impatient with this process, but I realize it may take longer than I thought.  Please let me know what you are experiencing.  My head has been hurting lately and I live on Extra Strength Tylenol and Advil.

by Gil224, Dec 03, 2008 03:12AM
To: ALL
Back in Oct. 2006, I experienced the worst headache ever.  It felt as tho somebody was driving nails into my skull.  I laid down in an effort to alleviate the pain, not thinking that this condition was serious at 52 years of age and in good health.  After about 8 hours of rest, I woke up feeling much better.  I even went outdoors to do some yard work, but suddenly the headache reappeared as painful as ever.  I went back indoors and began vomiting.  At this point, I knew I was in immediate danger and called my brother to take me to the hospital.  He said he'd dial 911, apparently worried for my life.  Thank God he made that decision because while talking to him, I went into a coma.  I woke up 5 days later surrounded by family and friends.  Apparently, I had suffered an Intracranial Hemorrhage and the surgeon had to cut open a portion of my skull to relieve the blood pressure.  It appeared that I had damaging effects....slurred speech and left side paralysis, but miracously, I overcame the odds.  Today I suffer slight right side peripheral vision loss and short term memory.  These continually improve in time, but even if they don't, I feel fortunate to be alive in my current condition.  I learned, at the slightest headache to take action right away.  Dial 911 preferably on your landline phone so they can trace your home address should you pass out.  Leave your front door open so they can enter your home immediately.  Have your medical insurance or doctor's name, family names, identification etc. in your wallet for emergency contact.  This applies to any medical emergency situation.  DIAL 911, I can't stress how too many people call a relative or friend, first.  Time is of essence, here and 911 has life saving medics and equipment upon immediate arrival to your location!

by mesatesta, Dec 04, 2008 01:50PM
Three years ago I also suffered from a subarachnoid hemorrhage at the age of 24.  This h