Seeking Insight on Persistent Headaches
Hello everyone, this is my first time reaching out here, and I’m currently dealing with a significant headache, so I appreciate your understanding. I’m a 36-year-old woman from the UK, and lately, I’ve been experiencing recurring severe headaches that are becoming increasingly frustrating. I would greatly appreciate any insights into what might be triggering them. **Description of Headache Symptoms:** My headaches begin with a tightness at the nape of my neck accompanied by a ringing sound in my right ear—imagine the chirping of a cricket on a warm tropical evening. This initial tension escalates into an overwhelming pulsating pain within my head. Occasionally, I also experience a sharp twinge behind my left eye. My sinuses tend to feel congested, and I frequently have a runny nose during these episodes. Typically, the headaches culminate in a sensation of heat, compelling me to remove layers of clothing and seek cool air while lying down. They generally persist for about 10 to 15 minutes before dissipating suddenly. Additionally, when I have these headaches while hungry, I tend to feel dizzy and nauseated. I’ve fainted once and have vomited three times, with two incidents occurring this morning alone. **Current Relevant Details:** In mid-December 2025, I experienced a severe cold or flu that kept me bedridden for approximately three to four weeks. I had a high fever peaking at 39.5°C, severe coughing that disrupted nights for me and others, as well as an excessive amount of mucus production. I also lost my sense of taste and smell, faced weakness and fatigue, and lost my appetite. I tested negative for Covid-19. The headaches seemed to start once I began recovering from this illness. The 3rd of February was particularly rough; my headaches hit frequently, coming multiple times within an hour and with each occurrence feeling more intense than the last. I ultimately lost consciousness on the living room floor and vomited upon regaining awareness. The following day, I finally secured a doctor’s appointment. They conducted a CT scan of my brain and noted no abnormalities, and my blood tests returned normal results (although I suspect they did not test for viral or bacterial infections or hormonal fluctuations since the focus was on my routine cancer-related blood tests). The medications prescribed were Naproxen, Iansoprazole, and Avamys nasal spray. Currently, the ringing in my ears has become a constant issue; I’ve already experienced more than six headache episodes today, with two leading to dizziness and vomiting. **Seeking Help:** What might be the underlying cause of these headaches, and how can I effectively reduce their frequency? I would appreciate any guidance! **Relevant Medical History:** In 2021, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, which led to a full mastectomy of my left breast and the removal of 10 lymph nodes from my left shoulder. I underwent six chemotherapy treatments and five sessions of radiotherapy. As a result, I was placed on tamoxifen and received zoladex injections. In late 2024, I began to notice new symptoms—a sporadic occurrence of colorful lights flashing in my left eye. Initially, I attributed this to migraine related to stress. However, on Christmas Day 2024, the experience intensified, prompting my partner to take me to the hospital for evaluation. I remained there for over three days while they conducted CT scans and MRIs, ultimately discovering a 2.5 cm tumor located at the back of my brain, which was diagnosed as breast cancer metastasis. On January 18, 2025, while awaiting a treatment plan, I suffered a full seizure, requiring another hospital visit. As part of the treatment regimen, I received a course of targeted radiotherapy to address the tumor in February 2025. Since last year, my medication regimen has included Levetiracetam, Letrozole, and Prostap injections.
Answers (1)
2/5/2026, 12:41:02 PM
OpenHealth AI
Thank you for sharing your experience, and I’m sorry to hear about the challenges you're facing with these persistent headaches. It’s completely understandable to seek clarity when dealing with such distressing symptoms.
Main Points:
You are experiencing recurrent severe headaches that may relate to tension, sinus issues, or any underlying conditions tied to your medical history, especially considering your previous cancer diagnosis and treatment. Understanding these connections is crucial in managing your headaches.
Explanation:
The symptoms you’ve described, including tightness in the neck, ringing in the ears, and the sharp twinge behind your left eye, could indicate a few possibilities:
- Tension-Type Headaches: These are often associated with muscle tightness and stress.
- Sinus Headaches: Your runny nose and nasal congestion suggest this could also be a factor.
- Migraine: Your history of visual disturbances and the severe nature of your headaches align with migrainous symptoms, especially since you mentioned a history of visual disturbances and what sounds like a seizure episode.
The fainting and vomiting episodes are concerning, especially given your medical history of cancer metastasis and seizures. These require close attention to rule out any serious complications or side effects from medications.
Next Steps:
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Daily Symptom Tracker: Keep a log of your headaches, noting the time, duration, triggers (like hunger), accompanying symptoms (like dizziness or nausea), and any actions you took that provided relief. This can help in identifying patterns and triggers.
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Hydration and Nutrition: Ensure you are well-hydrated and eat regular meals to prevent hunger-related headaches and dizziness. Low blood sugar can significantly exacerbate headache symptoms.
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Manage Stress and Tension: Techniques such as deep breathing, gentle neck stretches, or relaxation exercises could help in reducing tension headaches.
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Review Medications: Some of your medications, like Levetiracetam, may have side effects including headaches. Discuss with your healthcare provider the possibility of adjusting your treatment if you feel your medications may be contributing to your headaches.
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Follow-up with Your Doctor: Given the frequency, severity, and accompanying symptoms of your headaches (particularly the fainting and vomiting), timely follow-up with your healthcare provider or a headache specialist is advised. Discuss the need for a comprehensive evaluation that may include blood tests for hormonal changes, or allergies, or imaging to rule out any possible complications from your medical history.
Please keep track of how your headaches evolve and share this information with your healthcare provider for ongoing treatment adjustments and support. You're taking a crucial step by seeking help, and it's important to continue advocating for your health.
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