Having some unusual head pain

MachKahn · New User Joined: 30 Jul 2009 Posts: 2

Hey everyone,

First off, I just want to say that the users of this forum are very supportive of everyone. I've been browsing the posts here and there, and I've only seen positive, encouraging responses to people's inquiries. It's heartwarming and a breath of fresh air.

Lately I've been having some very weird head pain, accompanied with some other health issues. I was wondering if anyone here could provide some insight into what might be going on. I understand you can't diagnose me, but just some words of encouragement/advice would be really cool right now.

By the way, I'm a 25 year old male.

In January 2009, I started having this weird head pain. It's not a dull headache or anything like that. I've had those before, but not regularly. I started having these shooting, burning pains on the top right and top left sides of my head. It wasn't present at all times, but it was there. For about 2 weeks or so it went on, and then suddenly, it went away.

In March 2009, I noticed a lump on my left breast. This was coupled with what felt like a lump on my right testicle. So, I went to my GP, who ordered an ultrasound of the testicle and a mammogram/ultrasound of the breast. All examinations yielded nothing. No masses were even detected on either of the ultrasounds or the mammogram. Needless to say, I was relieved.

Fast forward to about 2 weeks ago. I was checking myself as I have become accustomed to when I felt my left breast. It feels as though there are more lumps forming, and it's mildly painful to touch. No change in the testicle area. I scheduled an appointment to get the lump on my breast biopsied in a couple of weeks.

That same night, I went to the movies. I woke up the next day feeling extremely heavy-headed. It was difficult to hold my head up. I felt weak, and I was having mild balance problems. I wasn't falling or anything, but it was noticeable. Two days later, that shooting pain started happening again. It feels like my head is on fire. This time, it wasn't just there and then gone. It came and it has not gone away. It's constantly there, either on the right side of my head or the left side, or both. It's always on the top though...not behind the ears or near my eyes.

I've got a doctor's appointment next Monday and hopefully he'll order a CT scan at the least. I'm hoping he'll understand and not just blow me off as being too paranoid. This pain coupled with the change in the lump in my breast has me pretty worried.

I guess I'm wondering if doctors will grant a request for a CT scan even if they don't recommend it, and also if my symptoms resemble those of a brain tumor.

Thanks for reading, even if you don't reply. To those who do reply, thank you in advance.

-Cole

brainman · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 9:05 pm Post subject: Re: Having some unusual head pain

Cole, I am sorry about your health concerns. The do sound rather strange but probably not caused by cancer. Nevertheless, you should continue to work with your own medical team in order to identify the cause or causes of your symptoms.

As for the CT, the issue is payment mainly. The doctor will order any test that you insist on. However, you may end up having to pay for it because your health insurance may deem it to be an elective procedure. But I would still ask and see what the doctor says. At the very least, your request will show the doctor how concerned you are and how serious you are about getting to the bottom of this problem.

Do keep us informed.
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MachKahn · New User Joined: 30 Jul 2009 Posts: 2

Jim,

Thanks for the response. I've been spending the last few weeks losing so much sleep over this. I've been running scenarios over and over in my head, but I know all that's doing is making my anxiety worse.

One thing that's bothering me is that I inhaled some plastic fumes inadvertently back in January. Quite a bit, actually, but I'm hoping that because it was only once that it didn't do anything long term. Still, it's worrying me because all these symptoms have occurred after the accidental inhalation. Sad

We'll see what the GP has to say on Monday. Thanks again for the response.

brainman · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 6:23 pm Post subject: Re: Having some unusual head pain

[quote="MachKahn"]Jim,

Thanks for the response. I've been spending the last few weeks losing so much sleep over this. I've been running scenarios over and over in my head, but I know all that's doing is making my anxiety worse.[/quote]

Very true. Anxiety can only make your headaches worse.

[quote]One thing that's bothering me is that I inhaled some plastic fumes inadvertently back in January. Quite a bit, actually, but I'm hoping that because it was only once that it didn't do anything long term. Still, it's worrying me because all these symptoms have occurred after the accidental inhalation. Sad

[/quote]

I can ease your mind on this one. If there even was a carcinogen in the fumes, it would take a much longer and more often exposure to plastic fumes to increase the chances of you getting brain cancer. And even then, it would take years for it to appear and not just months. Mind you, it still could be a cancer of some type (including brain cancer). I am just saying that if it is cancer, it more than likely has nothing to do with the plastic fumes.

Good luck at the doctor's office Monday.
_________________
Jim
Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendroglioma grade 3, same location.
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2405
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2528
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 3: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Twitter: @JimHawkins54

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