Experiencing Migraines: A Connection to IIH?
Reflecting on my experiences, I suspect that my frequent headaches stem from migraines linked to Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH). For nearly ten years, I dealt with typical migraine episodes until they subsided about two years ago. The absence of specific triggers mirrored my overall unhealthy dietary habits. After beginning a regimen of isotretinoin (5mg) every other day for a period of 2-3 months, I witnessed a significant decrease in my standard migraines. However, a different kind of headache emerged, characterized by a clamping sensation around my eyes and forehead. This new headache pattern began surfacing particularly before my menstrual periods or during times of high stress. I experienced intense pressure in my eyes that made it difficult to open them, accompanied by swelling in the forehead and around the eyes on the affected side. Interestingly, this pain followed the typical pattern of my prior migraines, alternating sides. An MRI yielded no concerning results. About 9-10 months later, I noticed an improvement, partly thanks to magnesium supplements, while amitriptyline provided temporary relief, only during its use. However, after resuming isotretinoin for another two months, the discomfort returned. I was prescribed beta blockers (previously tried) and topiramate, neither of which offered lasting relief. Following my doctors' recommendations, I was advised to consider diamox, especially given my suspicion of IIH, despite my eye pressure testing within normal ranges. Although various medications alleviated the pain, they did little to address the swelling, which typically took a week or two to subside on its own. Recently, I experienced a similar episode lasting two days, leading me to take diamox 250mg. Within an hour, I noticed a remarkable decrease in pressure and tightness around my eyes and forehead, eventually bringing complete relief. Now, I am pondering whether to continue on a course of diamox or reserve it for times of acute pain and pressure.
Answers (1)
6/15/2025, 7:20:40 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you've been experiencing quite a journey with your headaches, particularly regarding potential links to Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) and the effects of various treatments. Your recent experience with Diamox seems to have provided you with noticeable relief, which is encouraging.
Understanding Your Condition
The headaches you describe, especially the clamping sensation and eye pressure, can be closely related to IIH, even when eye pressure tests return normal results. IIH can sometimes present with varying patterns of headaches and visual disturbances, often exacerbated by hormonal changes or stress. Your response to Diamox, which reduces cerebrospinal fluid production and decreases intracranial pressure, further supports the possibility of this condition.
Next Steps
Given your positive response to Diamox, here are some personalized, prioritized steps you could consider:
-
Continue Monitoring Symptoms:
- Keep a detailed diary of your headaches, noting their frequency, duration, severity, associated symptoms (like visual changes), and the effectiveness of treatments. This can be very helpful in assessing patterns and informing future treatment decisions.
-
Consider Regular Use of Diamox:
- Since you noticed significant relief with Diamox, it may be worth discussing with your doctor whether a consistent, lower-dose regimen could be appropriate for managing your symptoms, rather than using it only during acute episodes.
-
Lifestyle and Dietary Adjustments:
- Since you mentioned unhealthy dietary habits, consider adopting a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. Hydration is also essential, as dehydration can trigger headaches.
-
Stress Management:
- Explore stress-reducing techniques such as mindfulness, yoga, or regular physical activity. Limiting stress can potentially reduce the frequency of headaches.
-
Follow-up with Your Healthcare Provider:
- Maintain an open line of communication with your healthcare provider, especially about your experience with Diamox and any adjustments you would like to discuss. This collaboration can ensure the best approach tailored to your situation.
-
Reassess Medication Efficacy Periodically:
- Keep track of how well your current medications work over time. If you notice any decrease in their effectiveness, discuss options for alternative treatments with your doctor.
Conclusion
It's important to take your symptoms seriously, and finding what works for you is key. Monitor your symptoms closely, adjust your dietary and lifestyle habits, and communicate with your healthcare provider about the best long-term management strategies. Your proactive approach is admirable, and I hope you continue to find relief.
Related Questions
Seeking Relief from Mild Fecal Impaction: Should I Go to the ER?
At 20 years old, I find myself dealing with a frustrating issue: fecal impaction. It's not something I've faced before, or at least I can’t recall, but I’ve had chronic stomach difficulties throughout my childhood, including constipation from ages four to twelve. Recently, I've been experiencing more digestive challenges after a few years of feeling normal. Currently, I’m under the care of a gastroenterologist, and we’re working on diagnosing the underlying problems. For about five days now, I haven't been able to relieve myself. While I’ve had considerable gas, that’s been the only symptom. Today has been particularly difficult; I’ve spent the last 11 hours in the bathroom grappling with severe discomfort and impaction. Each attempt to relieve the situation is excruciating, to the point where my body is resisting the effort—it’s so painful that I find myself in tears. I imagine this is what birth must feel like. I suspect this intense fear and pain are remnants of my past struggles, as for many years I’ve feared using the bathroom due to the agony it causes. Despite trying various remedies like Miralax mixed with coffee, a bullet suppository, and even a manual approach with gloves, nothing is yielding results. I’m genuinely tempted to head to the emergency room and ask them to put me under so they can help me without the pain. My mother suggests they would likely opt for a liquid suppository treatment like they did during my childhood, which was quite traumatic. I’m torn—it feels like the ER might be my last resort, but I'm concerned they won’t take me seriously since my situation doesn’t seem dire. How foolish would it be to bring up wanting sedation? I desperately want to avoid this pain; it’s becoming increasingly difficult, and I’m fighting back tears from the frustration. Can they truly provide sedation for this type of issue even when it isn’t severe? I worry that my parents might react negatively to my quest for relief and think I’m being dramatic. I’m utterly drained and don’t know where to turn. When there’s no painful push against my body, I can’t even sense the severity of the issue, yet, I am experiencing leakage, leaving me unsure. Would it be unreasonable to pose this question to the doctors in the ER? I apologize if this message is jumbled; I’m also dealing with a migraine, making it hard to focus. For context, my daily medications include phentermine, iron supplements, and vitamin D. I stand at 5’4” and currently weigh 204 pounds as part of my ongoing weight loss journey.
Did My Appendectomy Resolve My Digestive Issues?
I’m a 27-year-old non-binary person who had their appendix surgically removed due to appendicitis early last October. Since that procedure, I’m experiencing something I never thought possible: regular bowel movements. Remarkably, this newfound routine hasn’t faded away, contrary to what my doctors predicted. Historically, I have struggled with constipation throughout my life. As a child, I often felt compelled to mislead healthcare professionals about my bowel habits, claiming I had daily movements out of fear that something was amiss. In reality, I would only have a bowel movement every three to five days. I also live with autism, ADHD, dysthymia, and PTSD. Given my history of burnout, it would be logical to attribute my digestive struggles to stress. However, these issues persisted even during holidays and rarely intensified during particularly stressful times. Most of the medications I tried, including SSRIs and various birth control options, had no impact, except for Ritalin, which occasionally provided some relief when not taken consistently. Prior to the appendectomy, I underwent two surgeries: one for a fractured arm and the other a double procedure to remove my uterus and breasts. Unfortunately, neither operation had any effect on my bowel function. Since my surgery, my dietary, hydration, exercise, and substance use habits have remained unchanged. A bit of additional context: My thyroid hormone levels are normal, although I occasionally have low Vitamin D, for which I take supplements. I receive B12 injections to address low levels since dietary sources aren’t effective for me. Additionally, I deal with a persistent mystery of chronic fatigue that shows no signs of improvement post-surgery. This leads to my question: Could my appendix have been the source of my gastrointestinal issues? Alternatively, did the surgery trigger some other change that resolved my long-standing problem? I’m curious if anyone else has encountered similar experiences. What are the chances that I’ll revert back to my past issues with constipation? Any insights on this would be greatly appreciated, mostly out of interest.
Interpreting My Gastrointestinal Discomfort
A 26-year-old female, weighing 155 pounds, has a background of experiencing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and anxiety. She has been using marijuana for several years and is currently taking venlafaxine at a dosage of 150 mg each day. Residing in the Midwest USA, she identifies as white. On January 20th, she experienced what she initially believed to be a low blood sugar episode. Due to being preoccupied and busy, she had not consumed much food throughout the day. Consequently, she felt lightheaded, nauseated, pale, and was sweating. To alleviate these symptoms, she consumed around 60 to 80 grams of carbohydrates once they began, but it took roughly 2.5 hours for her to start feeling better. The following day, she faced additional discomforts including nausea, heartburn, body aches, trembling with chills and sweats, along with diarrhea. These symptoms persisted for a few days. By January 23rd, she consulted urgent care, where the medical team suspected a stomach virus and advised her to let it run its course. Regrettably, her stomach has not returned to its normal state since that incident. She has been experiencing occasional heartburn and indigestion reminiscent of her previous severe GERD episodes. Additionally, she is suffering from lower abdominal cramps, particularly triggered by consuming items like popcorn or spicy foods, which feels akin to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. During the height of her symptoms on January 20th, she ceased smoking. She partook in smoking a few times between January 24th and 28th, without noticing any changes in her symptoms – positive or negative – and has refrained from smoking since then. It is worth noting that she has not experienced any vomiting or severe abdominal pain typically associated with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). Are her symptoms indicative of CHS? She intends to abstain from smoking yet seeks clarity on the underlying cause of her discomfort. She has read about post-viral IBS and is curious if the suspected stomach virus has reignited her GERD, which had been stable for several years.
Eight Years of Persistent ‘Hunger’—Is It a Functional Gut Disorder?
Greetings everyone, I’m a 28-year-old woman standing at 5 feet 4 inches, and for nearly eight years, I have struggled with a constant, hollow sensation in my upper abdomen that resembles hunger. Here are some key points about my experience: - This sensation arises between meals or soon after I have eaten. - It gets momentarily better after eating but eventually returns. - Though it feels like hunger, I know it's not genuine hunger. - Mornings are especially tough as the sensation intensifies. I maintain a regular meal schedule and consume enough calories without any restrictions. Currently, I find it difficult to trust my hunger cues, so I'm tracking my calorie intake. I do not take any medications and have previously used proton pump inhibitors without any noticeable improvement. Additionally, I neither smoke nor consume alcohol. Visits to my general practitioner have yielded no definitive diagnosis, with much of the feedback being centered on dietary adjustments. I am currently facing a waiting period of approximately eight months for a gastroscopy. Strangely, I also notice that I feel particularly weak during my workouts, despite my calorie intake being sufficient. Has anyone else faced a similar long-term issue? Did you find it to be functional dyspepsia, gastritis, visceral hypersensitivity, or something entirely different? Were you able to obtain assistance through a gastroenterologist, a dietitian, or therapy? Thanks for your insights!
Seeking Guidance for My Health Issues
Greetings, doctor. I am reaching out for advice or recommendations. As a vegetarian college student from India, I have encountered some health challenges that I hope you could assist me with. I've struggled with being underweight for many years; I've been slim since I was about ten years old. Currently, I stand at 5 feet 11 inches tall but weigh only 44 kilograms. This weight has remained unchanged for the last three years, showing no sign of variation. I want to clarify that my eating habits aren’t the problem; I consume meals regularly. However, I suspect that the primary issue lies with my severe acidity, which makes it difficult for me to digest heavier foods such as soy products and paneer. Every time I attempt to eat these, I immediately feel nauseated. Spicy dishes often provoke the same reaction. Additionally, traveling or dining out frequently exacerbates these symptoms, leading me to avoid social gatherings and trips with friends. I've also noticed a consistent pattern: walking after a meal almost always results in discomfort or a queasy feeling. I've consulted a gastroenterologist, and after undergoing several tests, they diagnosed me with lactose intolerance. I have tried medication and dietary adjustments for about a year, but it seems that nothing has made a significant difference. If anyone has suggestions or insights, I would greatly appreciate your help. Thank you! 🙏