Posted by Dave on March 21, 1999 at 04:03:36:
To get further information after a diagnosis of cluster headaches. Friday I was sent for an MRI. After 15 minutes in the tomb, the nurse yelled out if I was alright and shut down the test. I was sent for an immediate x-ray. They found metal in my head, slightly above the right eye and near the temple. This was extremely puzzling. Wonder how many of you have had MRI's?
I posted a message in a bionet newsgroup for info and this is part of the response I got from one neurologist:
"Foreign bodies in the scalp or cranium can cause headaches typically
manifested as neuralgias--intense, lightening-like jabs of pain, lasting
seconds, but recurring multiple times per day. However,
such objects are well known to bring out migraine, or its close cousin,
cluster, in individuals, especially those with relatives with migraine
(cluster headache does not have the same degree of familial association).
You might consider having the FB removed by a board-certified plastic
surgeon. However, removal of the FB does not guarantee the headaches will
go away, especially if it is migraine/cluster, and not neuralgia. In the
event you have cluster HAs
[fairly-well localized intense pain (like someone driving a spike into you
eye), typically occurring behind or around the eye, typically lasting two
hours or less, often occurring within hours of going to sleep, and often
associated with nasal congestion and eye watering only on the side of the
HA], you might consider seeing a board-certified neurologist."
I am sure I have cluster headaches, but wonder if this "mystery" metal could have started it. There were other suggestions that this "metal" could actually be severe connected tissue disease caused by calcium deposits in my skin and subcutaneous tissue. I'm still looking for more info on this.
Anyone have any ideas or comments?
And thanks also to all of you who responded with ways to deal with the pain. I am on Sansert now. After 2 days my "headaches" went away for almost 2 pain free days. But alas, they have returned.
I'm saddened there are so many of us suffering with so little help. Hope for painless days ahead,
Your new friend, Dave