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Forum Name: Neurology Topics

Question: Continuous headaches and facial numbness

stephyg - Sun Jan 07, 2007 6:14 pm

Hi all. Just wondering if anyone can help me with my problem. For the past two years I have continually been getting regular and daily Headaches. That didnt bother me too much because they were the sort you can cope with. Up until summer last year my eyelid started twitching and then a few days later the right side of my face went numb. I could still move it but I knew it wasnt right. That lasted for about a week. I went to the doctors and they perscribed anti depressants - I am not and was not depressed, anyway I took them for a while and then came off them. It did the trick for a couple of months, then after that my Headaches came back, I went back to the doctors again and this time they perscribed me with Propanolol, great, but I thought they were for heart problems., but anyway all they seemed to do was calm me down and to a certain extent it did work. Then I came off them, did not want to keep taking pills without solving the main problem. Catching up, my story goes on, anyway I have been dealing with these Headaches for a while and then gradually I began to feel really run down, my eye was twitching my arm felt weak, my leg felt weak and this time my left side was numb. I again went back to the doctors and he said that I was run down and needed rest - but I have had this for ages and he doesnt seem to solve the problem, so I took his advice and had a couple of days off work. I felt a bit better but still feel as if I have no energy. Anyway I thought I had finally got rid of the numb feelings - but no today it has come back in my left side again, and I feel tired and weak. Does any of you know what it may be or what I can do to stop or relieve it. I am only 23 and female and its starting to annoy me now. Thank-you :)

sitinpretty - Sun Jan 07, 2007 7:21 pm

I would ask your family doc to refer you to a Neuro. Doc. I have had a lot of the same symptoms for 2 yrs now and they don't know what the deal is but, you should go see the proper doctors to see whats going on. Good luck

stephyg - Sun Jan 07, 2007 7:24 pm

Hi there Its such a pain having these Headaches, I have tried to do that but all my doctor says is try these tablets, your stressed, your depressed, when I know I am not. Its so frustrating lol. What has your doctor advised you about yours?. Its not so much the Headaches now, its more the numbness thats annoying me, ha. But thank-you, I know your in the same boat and you probably feel the same as me. But good luck to you too and take care Thanks Stephyg

John Kenyon, CNA - Fri Jan 12, 2007 7:35 am

Hi stephyg - The propranolol was prescribed for possible migraine, as it is actually now used for a lot of different problems besides cardiac ones. Antidepressants are also often tried. Apparently your doctor is thinking migraines, and the Headaches may well be migraines, but you are having other neurological symptoms as well, and while they are sometimes seen with migraines they are not typical. However, there are other neurological syndromes (not necessarily serious) that can include all the features you've mentioned. Sometimes a complete neurological workup is in order if the collection of symptoms is keeping you from functioning normally or are making you very unhappy. Sometimes a complex of overlapping disorders can cause this sort of presentation, and often after the simpler drugs have been tried a neurologist may move on to one of the anti-Seizure medications (which also are now used for a variety of problems). Bottom line is this: if the Headaches and associated symptoms aren't getting better and are putting a drag on your day-to-day life, then you would be justified in seeking referral to a neurologist who may be able to help. Good luck to you!

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