OpenHealth Q&A

Dealing with Persistent Head Pain After a Fall

I'm a 27-year-old woman weighing 140 pounds. My regular medication includes birth control, with occasional use of Diclectin, Metoclopramide, Ondansetron, and Lorazepam. I want to share my recent trip to the emergency room. With the warm weather and melting snow, I became another casualty—on the evening of March 25, I slipped and landed on my backside. Thankfully, I did not strike my head, and I even chuckled at how my fall resembled a child's dramatic plop during a tantrum. Hours later, however, I began to feel discomfort in my tailbone and pelvic area, which seemed expected after such a tumble. I took Midol and attempted to sleep, although lying down proved to be quite uncomfortable. A headache then emerged, stretching from one ear to the other across my forehead. It was a dull ache, annoying but not fully debilitating. On Wednesday morning, March 26, I went to work. As the day progressed, my headache intensified, along with discomfort in my lower back from sitting too long. Each time I stood up, the pounding throb in my head became more pronounced. I tried alternating Tylenol and Advil every four hours, but the pain persisted without any respite. By the time I returned home, my discomfort was overwhelming; lying down aggravated both my tailbone and headache, which now pulsated painfully whenever I sat up. I attempted hot and cold treatments, but nothing seemed to alleviate my symptoms. The night of March 26 into the 27 was excruciating. I took a 600 mg dose of Advil at 9:30 PM and managed to get a few hours of sleep. Unfortunately, I woke at 3 AM to a throbbing headache, forcing me to endure an uncomfortable night of repeated medication doses along with alternating heat and cold packs, all with no success. By March 27, my husband decided I needed to go to the ER. All my vital signs appeared normal, but the doctor administered 10 mg of Toradol, which provided no relief. After a set of X-rays, the results indicated no issues with my tailbone, pelvis, or head and neck. The doctor then offered me 10 mg of cyclobenzaprine, which also failed to help, leaving me wide awake instead of drowsy. Eventually, the doctor prescribed three medications: 10 mg of cyclobenzaprine, 100 mg of sumatriptan, and T3s (acetaminophen-codeine). At around 4 PM, I took one of the sumatriptan tablets and managed to sleep for a couple of hours. I woke up around 8 PM, feeling slightly better, but any attempt to remain upright for more than a few minutes led to a resurgence of throbbing pain in my head. I took another sumatriptan, along with a cyclobenzaprine and a T3, hoping for some relief before bedtime. Although the pain had lessened, it still lingered, prompting me to take one more T3 at 10:30 PM. Now, I find myself lounging on the couch. My tailbone feels much improved, but that headache refuses to fade away. Should I return to the hospital, or should I keep managing my pain with medication and hope it resolves? Working from bed isn't an option for me, which adds an extra layer of frustration to my situation!

Answers (1)

3/28/2025, 4:41:01 AM

OpenHealth AI

I'm sorry to hear that you're dealing with such persistent pain after your fall. It sounds quite distressing, especially since your headache is impacting your daily activities and ability to work comfortably. Let’s go through the key points and some actionable steps to consider.

Main Points:

• You experienced a fall with resulting pain in your tailbone and persistent headaches.
• Initial evaluations, including X-rays, showed no fractures or serious injuries.
• You have been prescribed medications that have provided limited relief.
• Your headache has remained a significant issue, making it hard to engage in normal activities.

Explanation:

After a fall, it’s common to experience pain due to muscle strain or tension, which can lead to headaches. Given that medical tests did not reveal any serious issues, your headaches might be related to muscle tension, stress, or possibly a post-traumatic headache, which can occur after an injury, even without a direct hit to the head.

Next Steps:

1. Medication Management: Since you’ve already tried several medications with limited relief, consider focusing on one approach that might work best for you. If sumatriptan has helped somewhat, you might continue to use that if migraines are suspected. Always follow the dosing instructions and consult a pharmacist about when to take your medications to avoid overlapping similar ones like Tylenol and T3s.

2. Home Care Techniques:

   • Hydration: Ensure that you are drinking plenty of fluids, as dehydration can worsen headaches.
   • Rest: Keep frequent short rests to avoid sitting for prolonged periods. Change positions regularly to relieve tension.
   • Cold Compress: Applying a cold compress (like a bag of ice wrapped in a cloth) to your forehead might help reduce the throbbing sensation.
   • Gentle Movement: If tolerated, try light stretching or gentle movements to ease muscle tension in your neck and back, which can help alleviate headache pressure.

3. Monitoring Symptoms: Keep a headache diary to track when headaches occur, the intensity, and any additional factors (like food, sleep, and stress). This can help identify triggers and potential patterns.

4. Pain Relief Alternatives: If the headache continues with no significant improvement over the next couple of days, consider alternative pain management methods such as:

   • A TENS unit (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) for muscle relaxation.
   • Meditation or relaxation exercises to reduce stress and tension.

5. Follow-Up: If your symptoms don’t improve significantly in the next few days or if you experience new symptoms (like vision changes, severe nausea, confusion, or increasing neck stiffness), seek further medical attention. A follow-up visit with a neurologist or headache specialist may provide targeted therapies.

Your well-being is important, and seeking the right balance of care and rest can help you feel better. Don't hesitate to reach out for more personalized guidance based on how you're responding to these steps.