Be My Doctor

haymarket said:

Here is your chance for armchair medical advice.

Over the past ten weeks I have one long headache. It is not real bad - perhaps a three or four on a 1 to 10 scale. It comes and goes but almost always it feels like my head has a head cold or is stuffed up. When I do get pains - the move around the head and also come and go. Sometimes pin p[ricks in the lower back... sometimes the front and forehead .... sometimes toe top area.

I have seen the doctor five times including two visits to a neurologist. When this first happen last October I had had a MRI , some flashing lights test, and a this time a carotoid artery test among lots of physical exams. In 2018 - it lasted for three weeks then went away only to return this October and has lasted for ten weeks this time.

For two weeks they treated it as a sinus infection with antibiotics but it persists.

I did go to Canada for a long weekend for three days in early December and magically my head improved but the pains returned in a day or two when I cam back. This causes my wife to think there is something in the house or the heating season causing all this.

It is better when I take long walks in the cold but does not really go away altogether.

Any advice you want to offer is appreciated.

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haymarket said:

Here is your chance for armchair medical advice.

Over the past ten weeks I have one long headache. It is not real bad - perhaps a three or four on a 1 to 10 scale. It comes and goes but almost always it feels like my head has a head cold or is stuffed up. When I do get pains - the move around the head and also come and go. Sometimes pin p[ricks in the lower back... sometimes the front and forehead .... sometimes toe top area.

I have seen the doctor five times including two visits to a neurologist. When this first happen last October I had had a MRI , some flashing lights test, and a this time a carotoid artery test among lots of physical exams. In 2018 - it lasted for three weeks then went away only to return this October and has lasted for ten weeks this time.

For two weeks they treated it as a sinus infection with antibiotics but it persists.

I did go to Canada for a long weekend for three days in early December and magically my head improved but the pains returned in a day or two when I cam back. This causes my wife to think there is something in the house or the heating season causing all this.

It is better when I take long walks in the cold but does not really go away altogether.

Any advice you want to offer is appreciated.

Click to expand...

haymarket said:

Here is your chance for armchair medical advice.

Over the past ten weeks I have one long headache. It is not real bad - perhaps a three or four on a 1 to 10 scale. It comes and goes but almost always it feels like my head has a head cold or is stuffed up. When I do get pains - the move around the head and also come and go. Sometimes pin p[ricks in the lower back... sometimes the front and forehead .... sometimes toe top area.

I have seen the doctor five times including two visits to a neurologist. When this first happen last October I had had a MRI , some flashing lights test, and a this time a carotoid artery test among lots of physical exams. In 2018 - it lasted for three weeks then went away only to return this October and has lasted for ten weeks this time.

For two weeks they treated it as a sinus infection with antibiotics but it persists.

I did go to Canada for a long weekend for three days in early December and magically my head improved but the pains returned in a day or two when I cam back. This causes my wife to think there is something in the house or the heating season causing all this.

It is better when I take long walks in the cold but does not really go away altogether.

Any advice you want to offer is appreciated.

Click to expand...

haymarket said:

Here is your chance for armchair medical advice.

Over the past ten weeks I have one long headache. It is not real bad - perhaps a three or four on a 1 to 10 scale. It comes and goes but almost always it feels like my head has a head cold or is stuffed up. When I do get pains - the move around the head and also come and go. Sometimes pin p[ricks in the lower back... sometimes the front and forehead .... sometimes toe top area.

I have seen the doctor five times including two visits to a neurologist. When this first happen last October I had had a MRI , some flashing lights test, and a this time a carotoid artery test among lots of physical exams. In 2018 - it lasted for three weeks then went away only to return this October and has lasted for ten weeks this time.

For two weeks they treated it as a sinus infection with antibiotics but it persists.

I did go to Canada for a long weekend for three days in early December and magically my head improved but the pains returned in a day or two when I cam back. This causes my wife to think there is something in the house or the heating season causing all this.

It is better when I take long walks in the cold but does not really go away altogether.

Any advice you want to offer is appreciated.

Click to expand...

Bum said:

Not being an MD, thats pretty sparse data to go on; However, I would ask the following additional Q's..

Eyeglass wearer? If so, how long since last exam?

Hx of hypertension in family?

Current medications to include any recently started or discontinued.

Hx of Head / neck trauma?

Allergies? Hx of scratch test? New paint, carpet, Air filtration in home?

Is your home HVAC or radiant heat? if HVAC, last time filters replaced?

You stated walks in cool air alleviate the symptoms....cool/cold compress on sinus region or back of neck do the same?

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trixare4kids said:

Sounds like you have developed an allergy to something in your house.
I'd start with cleaning the furnace. Change your laundry detergent. Buy a new pillow.
Get your carpets steam cleaned. Buy a mold detector. Do you have a pet? Have your doctor give you some allergy tests. Sometimes we can be fine and then all of a sudden become allergic to things, even our pets.

Allergies can cause migraines. Since you've already ruled out infection, it's probably allergies.

Sounds miserable. Sorry about that.

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WillyPete said:

All I can think of is, has it it been especially dry where you are?

I had a recent bout of lingering nasal issues, including bleeding, headaches and joint/neck pain, after a period of extra dry weather.

If where you were visiting in Canada was humid compared to where you live, I'd explore that possibility and maybe look into a humidifier.

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haymarket said:

We had the furnace cleaned at the start of the heating season.

I did buy a new pillow a few months ago. I wonder if that is it?????? You make me wonder and have given me cause to think about this.

We had a dog but he died Halloween of 2018.

Good advice on the mold detector. I will do that.

The first floor of my house is all hardwood floors and area rugs. The upstairs is carpeted - probably due for replacement soon as its been a while.

Thanks for the advice.

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trixare4kids said:

Sounds like you have developed an allergy to something in your house.
I'd start with cleaning the furnace. Change your laundry detergent. Buy a new pillow.

Click to expand...

haymarket said:

Here is your chance for armchair medical advice.

Over the past ten weeks I have one long headache. It is not real bad - perhaps a three or four on a 1 to 10 scale. It comes and goes but almost always it feels like my head has a head cold or is stuffed up. When I do get pains - the move around the head and also come and go. Sometimes pin p[ricks in the lower back... sometimes the front and forehead .... sometimes toe top area.

I have seen the doctor five times including two visits to a neurologist. When this first happen last October I had had a MRI , some flashing lights test, and a this time a carotoid artery test among lots of physical exams. In 2018 - it lasted for three weeks then went away only to return this October and has lasted for ten weeks this time.

For two weeks they treated it as a sinus infection with antibiotics but it persists.

I did go to Canada for a long weekend for three days in early December and magically my head improved but the pains returned in a day or two when I cam back. This causes my wife to think there is something in the house or the heating season causing all this.

It is better when I take long walks in the cold but does not really go away altogether.

Any advice you want to offer is appreciated.

Click to expand...

joko104 said:

If you drink diet drinks and/or use artificial sweetner, stop for a week and see what happens. Surprisingly, this was a cure for my Mrs.

Click to expand...

haymarket said:

Here is your chance for armchair medical advice.

Over the past ten weeks I have one long headache. It is not real bad - perhaps a three or four on a 1 to 10 scale. It comes and goes but almost always it feels like my head has a head cold or is stuffed up. When I do get pains - the move around the head and also come and go. Sometimes pin p[ricks in the lower back... sometimes the front and forehead .... sometimes toe top area.

I have seen the doctor five times including two visits to a neurologist. When this first happen last October I had had a MRI , some flashing lights test, and a this time a carotoid artery test among lots of physical exams. In 2018 - it lasted for three weeks then went away only to return this October and has lasted for ten weeks this time.

For two weeks they treated it as a sinus infection with antibiotics but it persists.

I did go to Canada for a long weekend for three days in early December and magically my head improved but the pains returned in a day or two when I cam back. This causes my wife to think there is something in the house or the heating season causing all this.

It is better when I take long walks in the cold but does not really go away altogether.

Any advice you want to offer is appreciated.

Click to expand...

Common Sense 1 said:

Have you changed what you have been eating or drinking? I had an issue like this and after many doctor trips to include extensive testing with a neurologist with no results and several new prescriptions that
did not help. I started keeping a food diary, anything I ate I logged. After a month it became very clear what was happening. I found out that I am allergic to artificial sweetener. If I drink a can of soda in the
evening the next morning I would have a level 10 Excedrin headache. Stopped drinking the soda and never another headache!

Good luck in your search.

Click to expand...

Common Sense 1 said:

Have you changed what you have been eating or drinking? I had an issue like this and after many doctor trips to include extensive testing with a neurologist with no results and several new prescriptions that
did not help. I started keeping a food diary, anything I ate I logged. After a month it became very clear what was happening. I found out that I am allergic to artificial sweetener. If I drink a can of soda in the
evening the next morning I would have a level 10 Excedrin headache. Stopped drinking the soda and never another headache!

Good luck in your search.

Click to expand...

haymarket said:

Interesting. You too give me hope. I never drink soda and I have had about four alcoholic drinks in the last two months as I just gave it up with all the antibiotics.

The diary idea sounds like a good one. Thanks.

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joko104 said:

Start reading ingredients for what you eat and drink. You might be surprised what is in prepared and packaged food and beverages. To be honest, some should just say "Ingredients: Many chemicals you never heard of or know what they do."

Another thing she can't handle is "Febreze." It tears her up. For hotels/motels, we have to call ahead to ask if they use febreze for laundry, not just spraying the room. So check to see if your laundry detergent contains febreze. Sometimes we'll go into a store and immediately walk out for the smell of febreze. Even strong perfume or scented body lotions on other people can set off a headache.

I expect it not to be long before there are lawyers ads on TV seeking people who have suffered health issues and used febreze. Many people are very allergic to it.

People tend to become less chemical tolerant than more tolerant with exposure.

In general, air fresheners are just chemicals you spray into the air. They do not eliminate odors. They mask odors with stronger scents. These can trigger reactions of your immune system, which can sense it is poison (even if not) and then radically adjust your body to counter act the non-existence poison, causing a counter powerful negative reaction.

Your pillow is an obvious suspect. Can it be washed? Try a new pillow case or one that has been washed 2 or 3 times, the last time in nothing but hot water. See if that helps. Definitely try a new pillow and not of the same material.

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Lord Tammerlain said:

Have you tested your house for CO and CO2 levels?

Both of which could cause headaches and would be from a furnace not working properly when at low levels. The walks outdoors would increase the O2 levels in your blood

Next possible problem is dehydration, a slight dehydration issue could cause the headaches. Try drinking more water for a few days and see what happens

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haymarket said:

How does one test for those levels?

As for dehydration I come from a long line of water haters. Even when I ran marathons I never took water. I hate the stuff. I do drink lots and lots of cranberry juice however. My dad lived to 94 and the only water he ever took in was what his coffee was made from. But my wife screams at me about it every day so your advice is good.

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Lord Tammerlain said:

Newer houses should have the detectors built in but I expect you live in an older house in an older community

Robot Check

CO is much worse than CO2 for causing deaths so the detectors are more common

If it was the pillow I would expect some neck pain right at the base of the skull to show up as well.

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haymarket said:

My house was built in 74.

I will check out that detector and next week a guy is going to check for sick house syndrome so I imagine that is on his list.

I do have some back of skull pain - it comes and goes.

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haymarket said:

My house was built in 74.

I will check out that detector and next week a guy is going to check for sick house syndrome so I imagine that is on his list.

I do have some back of skull pain - it comes and goes.

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joko104 said:

Apparently that isn't rare. Diet Coke increasingly was hitting her like a sledge hammer to the head. When she stopped, so did the headaches, which were very crippling being so intense. Yet it diet soda doesn't affect me in the slightest and is about all I drink, though in general I have far more allergies such as pollen. We each are quite unique in terms of allergies.

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