Hi, when I was 15 I began birth control (pills) and I got my first migraine. I got off of birth control but the migraines continued now every month around my menstrual cycle I get a migraine. When I was 17-18 I was diagnosed with a small aneurysm but the doctor said it was so small in size it wasn’t a big deal. Now I am 20 and I often get sharp pains in my head, the last migraine I had was very painful on my right side. My right eye was in so much pain it was hard to lie down. That was about two days ago and I still feel the sharp pains. Do I need to get another MRI? could the aneurysm have something to do with this frequent pain?
I will be going to see a doctor next week but I’m curious to see what others who may have experience with aneurysms think about my story?
Hi Tymila,
I think that if I were you, yeah I'd be wanting to get an MRA or angiogram with contrast ( you never know, the aneursym could've grown and its much better to be safe rather then sorry ) Regarding the migraines and birth control pills,, I know my sister in law ran up against a similar problem when she was about 20ish and just couldn't take them at all...infact she was having seizures (epileptic) which she hadn't ever had before taking the pill. Best of luck at your doctors appt. and be sure to ask a ton of questions--Janet
Tymila,
Being part of my wife's life for many years prior to getting married after her ruptured aneurysm, I firmly believe that approximately 10 years before the rupture she did have unexplained severe headaches. A non contrast CT scan done at that time (1984 technology) showed no presence of a aneurysm. Ten years later she has a rupture. I believe that her headaches in 1984 were a pre-emergence stage where a aneurysm begins the process of stretching the blood vessel and later allowing it to balloon. There is no way to watch an aneurysm grow in real time so we need to examine subjective indicators. So if I were you I would have your Doctor keep you monitored more closely as aneurysms have various growth rates depending on variables like smoking, blood pressure, or genetics. Hope this helps you and others.
Hi Sweetie...I am going to say what I did the other day...I am glad you are seeing a Doctor and need to be checked again with an MRI/MRA...but if your symptoms seem unbearable, please seek treatment at ER immediately.
I think it is hard for us to comment I want you have going on because we aren't Doctors...something definitely seems wrong and I am glad you are seeing a Doctor next week...Gotcha in my Thoughts ~ Colleen
Thank you all! Really helpful comments
Hi Tymila. I would definitely get it checked out. Your symptoms sound very similar to head pains I used to have throughout the last 10 years or so. Though it never accompanied migranes per say, just head pains. When they first came on, it was scary; they were sharp stabs that would then radiate out into a cramping type of pain- just on the right side of my head. Sometimes so startling and painful they brought tears. It wouldn't last long - would fade within a minute or so usually. I was referred to a neurologist and he didn't run any tests, thoughts it was headaches, gave me tegretol for nerve pain, another said he thought I might have mild fibromyalgia. I mentioned it a to a few more doctors who didn't seem overly concerned.
And again 1 1/2- 2 years ago I was driven to go in and have it checked out again...I just wanted to make sure there was nothing wrong. They ran a non-dye CT and didn't see anything. Fair enough.
Then suddenly a year ago I presented with terrible headache on my right side, nausea, etc...and ER trip and CT scan with dye showed a bleeding brain aneurysm. To think we were that close to seeing the annie if they'd only used the dye previously. My neurosurgeon didn't think those previous pains were symptomatic, more coincidence. But guess what? after coiling surgery, no pains like that since. I really feel they must have been related, particularly with the annie being on the side of all of those pains. I hope your annie hasn't grown and that it turns out to be a non-issue. But I would definitely have them check your annie more closely. Keep us posted.
Cindy
Wow thanks for sharing your story with me, I’m far over due for a check up, my neurologist made it seem like no big deal so I just thought I’d have to live with the pain. But I will be seeking treatment next week and I’m looking forward to finding answers. Thanks again cindy