OpenHealth Q&A

Severe Headaches and High Blood Pressure: Concerns Dismissed by Healthcare Professionals

I apologize for the less-than-ideal format and the lengthy details below. I’m currently using my phone, which intensifies my headache the longer I gaze at the screen. Towards the end, I've included excerpts from my lab results, so they may appear a bit messy. **Overview:** Age: 28, Height: 5'4”, Weight: 220 lbs For several years, I have been grappling with various health challenges, yet I have not received any definitive diagnosis or a sustainable treatment plan. My blood tests have consistently shown irregularities, but they seem to have been overlooked or misunderstood. I currently have referrals for specialists in neurology, rheumatology, and other fields. Recently, it has been suggested that my lab results and symptoms might point towards an autoimmune disorder or cancer. While cleaning at home, I was abruptly hit by an excruciating headache, accompanied by dizziness, burning and swelling around my eyes, neck and jaw pain, confusion, mild memory lapses, sensitivity to light, and cognitive difficulties. After receiving a migraine treatment in the emergency department, I felt freezing, and my joints began to ache intensely, despite the headache persisting. Eventually, following a CT scan and another dose of fioricet, I was finally able to open my eyes and sit up after approximately 14 hours. I've been facing issues with body temperature regulation and joint pain for some time, particularly at night, but this episode intensified soon after my treatment. During that visit, I was administered Toradol, Benadryl, fioricet, a liter of IV fluids, and Reglan. The doctors informed me that my CT scan was satisfactory and, as they are not diagnosticians, recommended I seek blood work evaluation elsewhere, noting that nothing urgent appeared in my results. Although slightly frustrated, I left understandingly. I soon after consulted a new primary care physician and received referrals and propranolol. My highest recorded blood pressure has been 164/111, which is unusual for me apart from during my last pregnancy. I checked my blood pressure because my Apple Watch alert went off multiple times, indicating an elevated heart rate while I was inactive. Otherwise, I might have attributed my condition to dehydration or blood sugar levels, which the hospital confirmed were normal. In summary, I have been experiencing these issues for the past two weeks and returned to the hospital once more, where they refused to summon the MRI technician after hours. They provided me with additional fluids, Toradol, magnesium, and a five-pill prescription for fioricet to manage at home. (This visit was to a different hospital than the first, and the telehealth urgent care team had advised me to seek immediate medical attention due to the swelling in my left eye. While the nurse could physically feel the swelling upon arrival, the doctor failed to notice it several hours later.) **Timeline of Visits**: - **First ER visit**: July 29 - **Primary care appointment**: August 4 - **Second ER visit**: August 8 **Current Medications**: - Adderall 20mg + 10mg IR as needed in the afternoon - Drospirenone birth control pills - Liletta IUD - Zyrtec - Vitamin D supplement (started after the headache incident) - Propranolol (also started post-incident) **Recent Lab Findings (July 29)**: - Negative for Lyme disease - WBC: 10.5 THOU/uL (range: 4.6-10.2) - High - RBC: 3.88 MILL/uL (range: 4.00-5.60) - Low - Hemoglobin: 11.8 g/dL (range: 11.9-15.5) - Low - Hematocrit: 35.1% (range: 36.0-46.0) - Low - MCV: 90.5 fL (range: 81.0-99.0) - MCH: 30.4 pg (range: 28.0-34.0) - and various other parameters within expected ranges **Further Testing (August 6)**: - CBC with differential and comprehensive metabolic panel showed various results, including WBC of 11.4, RBC of 4.22, and other standard levels checked. **Personal Background**: I have given birth twice (2018 and 2024), with the second process leading to significant blood loss lasting for a year. Both deliveries were natural. My last healthcare provider entertained the possibility of fibromyalgia due to my chronic pain and fatigue. I have sustained injuries from two major car accidents (2018), which may have led to my deviated septum and a bulging thoracic disc. I also experience tendinitis in my limbs, and during my pregnancy, I underwent significant dental work, removing three teeth from the left side, but one problematic tooth remains. Digestive problems and unexplained weight gain have been ongoing issues. My OB-GYN suggested I might have insulin-resistant PCOS due to my post-pregnancy weight gain combined with slightly elevated insulin levels in my blood tests. In my childhood, I dealt with frequent body aches and digestive difficulties. **Family Medical History**: My father survived non-Hodgkin's lymphoma until he passed away from a heart attack at 48. Both paternal grandparents had various cancers and neurological issues, while my maternal grandfather died from congestive heart failure, with both grandparents suffering from diabetes and other ailments linked to cancer. High blood pressure and strokes run in both branches of my family, though I lack detailed information about specific relatives. **Final Thoughts**: After conducting my own research, I suspect that I might have hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) along with possibly postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). My doctor has hinted at the potential of lupus or related conditions. In my view, these new headaches and elevated blood pressure seem unrelated since they appeared suddenly. However, should they be linked to an autoimmune issue, that could provide some explanation. I realize that stress and tension headaches could also play a role. Ultimately, I'm looking to consult more specialists, although appointments are hard to come by and are scheduled several months out (2-5 months). Managing these migraines often hampers my ability to care for my two children and pets, as I can't afford to spend all day in bed. Thus, I would greatly appreciate any guidance on what might be happening or suggestions for the necessary next steps. Should I be more relaxed about these issues or advocate for additional medical care?

Answers (1)

8/15/2025, 5:51:49 PM

OpenHealth AI

Main Points: You’re experiencing severe headaches alongside high blood pressure, and your symptoms have prompted concerns over underlying conditions. It's important to prioritize managing your headaches and monitoring your blood pressure while continuing to seek specialized care.

Explanation: The symptoms you're describing—severe headaches, dizziness, swelling around the eyes, cognitive difficulties, and fluctuations in blood pressure—can certainly be distressing, especially given your medical history. Conditions like autoimmune disorders or other chronic illnesses could be contributing factors, but it’s crucial to approach this systematically.

Headaches can be highly multifactorial, influenced by stress, tension, dehydration, medication side effects, or hormonal changes, particularly post-delivery. Elevated blood pressure can be exacerbated by stress and pain, and it often necessitates close monitoring, especially considering your family history of cardiovascular issues.

Given that your recent treatment at the ER had limited success in managing these issues, it’s understandable to feel frustrated. You have already taken reasonable steps by consulting new healthcare providers and obtaining referrals for specialists, and advocating for yourself in the healthcare system is vital for continued progress.

Next Steps:

1. Monitor Symptoms Closely: Keep a daily diary of your headaches—note when they occur, their intensity, duration, any accompanying symptoms, and what you were doing when they started. This can help identify potential triggers.

2. Blood Pressure Management: Regularly record your blood pressure at home, especially during times of headache or stress. Note any patterns related to your symptoms. Aim to maintain a healthy lifestyle—balanced diet, hydration, reduced caffeine and salt intake, and regular physical activity if tolerated.

3. Medications Review: Discuss your current medications with your primary care physician to see if any adjustments can be made for better management of your headaches and blood pressure. The combination of medications can sometimes lead to interactions or side effects.

4. Pain Management Strategies: Explore non-medication approaches to manage headaches, such as:

   • Hydration: Ensure you drink enough fluids throughout the day.
   • Stress Reduction: Techniques such as mindfulness, yoga, or gentle physical activity can help.
   • Sleep Hygiene: Focus on establishing a good sleep routine, as insufficient or poor-quality sleep can exacerbate headaches and hypertension.

5. Seek Urgent Care if Symptoms Worsen: If your headaches become increasingly severe, if you experience visual disturbances, confusion, chest pain, or if your blood pressure reaches extremely high levels again (e.g., beyond 180/120), seek immediate medical attention.

6. Advocate for Timely Referrals: Since appointments for specialists can take time, consider contacting the offices to explain the urgency of your situation. Sometimes cancellations can open earlier appointments if you express ongoing severe symptoms.

Remember, you're not alone in this. It’s completely natural to feel overwhelmed, but by taking proactive steps and continuing to engage with your healthcare team, you can work toward finding the answers and relief you need. If you have further questions or need clarity on any specific symptoms, feel free to ask.