Do you suffer from frequent headaches?
If you answered 'Yes' to the above question, I urge you to continue reading.
People who don't regularly experience headaches are unaware of the pain headache sufferers face, on a daily basis. I personally had progressively, worsening headaches over a period of about three to four years. These headaches were accompanied with eye pain, lethargy, weight gain and mood swings. I sympathise with anyone who suffers from headaches because I know, all too well, how debilitating they can be.
I underwent numerous tests with my GP and Specialists and everything from bruxism (the grinding of teeth) to anxiety and depression were eventually ruled-out. Relaxation techniques and various medication were prescribed to me but nothing stopped my headaches, they just got more intense and more frequent.
I underwent numerous tests with my GP and Specialists and everything from bruxism (the grinding of teeth) to anxiety and depression were eventually ruled-out. Relaxation techniques and various medication were prescribed to me but nothing stopped my headaches, they just got more intense and more frequent.
As time passed my headaches progressed to a new level. If I was ever surprised or shocked (something as simple as a doorbell ringing, when I wasn't expecting it) I would get an adrenalin rush and this would cause a severe stabbing pain to both sides of my head, around the temples. I had never, in my life, experienced pain like this. This stabbing pain would last only ten seconds or so, yet this was enough to cause me to fall to my knees in agony. After the pain subsided, I would feel very nauseous, lethargic, shaky, confused and my eyes would be bloodshot.
As I frequently visited my GP, it became obvious I was being labelled as a hypochondriac. This made me very angry as I was in agony and suffering daily, so I asked my GP for a referral to a neurologist. However, the neurologist rejected the referral and suggested that my GP should prescribe me with anxiety medication, which I refused and requested a second referral.
After waiting patiently (in pain) for approximately three months, the appointment date arrived and I met the neurologist. He examined me and conducted various tests, then very calmly told me there was nothing within his medical knowledge that would suggest I had anything wrong with my head or brain, then suggested the headaches were stress related.
I demanded an MRI scan and he reluctantly agreed after spending some time convincing him this was completely necessary.
An MRI scan was performed on my head and brain some months later (so obviously no urgency requested by the neurologist) and that highlighted a macroadenoma (a pituitary gland tumour that is larger than 10mm in diameter). The pituitary gland sits at the base of the brain, behind the nose, and controls the hormones and all hormonal functions within the body. After further investigation and blood tests I was diagnosed with a Prolactinoma (a benign, prolactin secreting, tumour of the pituitary gland).
As I frequently visited my GP, it became obvious I was being labelled as a hypochondriac. This made me very angry as I was in agony and suffering daily, so I asked my GP for a referral to a neurologist. However, the neurologist rejected the referral and suggested that my GP should prescribe me with anxiety medication, which I refused and requested a second referral.
After waiting patiently (in pain) for approximately three months, the appointment date arrived and I met the neurologist. He examined me and conducted various tests, then very calmly told me there was nothing within his medical knowledge that would suggest I had anything wrong with my head or brain, then suggested the headaches were stress related.
I demanded an MRI scan and he reluctantly agreed after spending some time convincing him this was completely necessary.
An MRI scan was performed on my head and brain some months later (so obviously no urgency requested by the neurologist) and that highlighted a macroadenoma (a pituitary gland tumour that is larger than 10mm in diameter). The pituitary gland sits at the base of the brain, behind the nose, and controls the hormones and all hormonal functions within the body. After further investigation and blood tests I was diagnosed with a Prolactinoma (a benign, prolactin secreting, tumour of the pituitary gland).
A simply prolactin blood test helped to diagnose the Prolactinoma. The quantities of prolactin, within the blood, are counted to determine whether or not the pituitary gland is secreting too much prolactin. In my case it was, more than sixty times more than the acceptable level. However, during pregnancy and after giving birth, prolactin levels are naturally high in women. This is because prolactin is the hormone that stimulates lactation by the mammary glands. There can be other reasons for raised prolactin levels within the blood. These include an underactive Thyroid gland and certain medication such as anti-sickness, tranquillisers or anti-depressants.
Medication was prescribed for my prolactinoma, by an Endocrinologist (a consultant who specialises in glands and hormones). Since taking this medication my headaches have completely disappeared, my prolactin levels are at an acceptable level and further MRI scans have shown that the tumour is shrinking. My weight gain, lethargy and mood swings were due to the hormonal imbalances and the eye pain was caused by pressure, from the tumour, on the nerves leading to the eyes.
The cause of a headache is very hard to diagnose due to the vast amount of possiblities and investigating all of these possibilities takes a long time. Headaches could be due to stress, anxiety, depression, bruxism or even something as simple as needing spectacles etc.
Just because someone gives you an opinion it doesn't mean you have to agree with or accept it. You know when there's something wrong with your own body. Don't suffer in silence.
Medication was prescribed for my prolactinoma, by an Endocrinologist (a consultant who specialises in glands and hormones). Since taking this medication my headaches have completely disappeared, my prolactin levels are at an acceptable level and further MRI scans have shown that the tumour is shrinking. My weight gain, lethargy and mood swings were due to the hormonal imbalances and the eye pain was caused by pressure, from the tumour, on the nerves leading to the eyes.
The cause of a headache is very hard to diagnose due to the vast amount of possiblities and investigating all of these possibilities takes a long time. Headaches could be due to stress, anxiety, depression, bruxism or even something as simple as needing spectacles etc.
Just because someone gives you an opinion it doesn't mean you have to agree with or accept it. You know when there's something wrong with your own body. Don't suffer in silence.
This document is for informational purposes only and is therefore no substitute for the advice of a Healthcare professional. Nor is this document a recommendation for any particular treatment or self diagnosis. It is vital that you rely on the advice of a Healthcare professional for your specific condition.