Concerns About a Possible Brain Hemorrhage?
I’m a 21-year-old female. Let me begin by sharing that I’ve often been referred to as a hypochondriac and I have a history of health anxiety, but up until now, I never felt the need to discuss my worries on a forum. A couple of months back, on December 23rd, I had a night of excessive drinking and when I woke up, I noticed a rather prominent bump at the base of my skull, close to my ear. This incident has led me to be somewhat withdrawn lately, but I’m beginning to overcome that phase. Last night, as I touched my head, I realized that the bump is still present. While it’s not particularly painful, it feels distinctly different from the opposite side of my head. Since then, I’ve been plagued with anxiety for the past two hours, fearing that I might be experiencing a slow brain bleed. I've even reached out to two urgent care facilities seeking advice. To provide more context, my pupils are symmetrical, there hasn’t been any nausea, and I don’t have issues with excessive sleep. I do experience mild headaches occasionally, but they are not frequent or severe. Numbness only occurs when I begin to panic. My main concern is whether I should worry about the possibility of a slow brain bleed and the risk of death associated with it?
Answers (1)
2/18/2026, 2:20:32 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned given your history and the symptoms you're experiencing. A noticeable bump at the base of your skull, especially after a night of heavy drinking, can be alarming. However, it's important to note that not all bumps are serious, and many can be benign, such as a hematoma or muscle-related issues.
Explanation:
Bumps on the head can occur for various reasons. Common causes include:
- Soft tissue injuries: such as a bump or bruise resulting from trauma.
- Benign growths: such as lipomas or cysts, which are usually harmless.
- Muscle tension: can also cause localized swelling or tightness.
In your case, the absence of serious symptoms like nausea, vomiting, changes in consciousness, or neurological deficits (like weakness on one side of your body or changes in vision) are generally reassuring. The symmetrical pupils and lack of severe pain further decrease the likelihood of a serious issue like a brain bleed.
Next Steps:
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep tracking any changes, especially if you notice increased headaches, new symptoms, or changes in your body or behavior.
- Self-Care Techniques:
- Reduce anxiety through relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or gentle yoga.
- Ensure you’re hydrated and maintain a healthy diet to support overall well-being.
- Get adequate sleep and have a regular routine, as this can help stabilize your mood and anxiety levels.
- Physical Examination: Schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider who can physically assess the bump and perform any necessary imaging (like an ultrasound or CT scan) if they deem it appropriate.
- Anxiety Management: If you feel that your anxiety about your health is overwhelming, consider seeking support from a mental health professional. They can offer coping strategies tailored to your situation.
Remember, it's valuable to express your feelings and worries, especially about your health. You are not alone, and getting the right support can help you feel more secure and informed.
Related Questions
Questions Surrounding Cause of Death
My father, aged 80, recently succumbed to AML leukemia after a five-month struggle. Although we were aware he was unwell, we were caught off guard by his passing since his cancer had entered remission. Unfortunately, he never returned home for outpatient therapy; the inpatient chemotherapy proved to be detrimental to his health. This treatment led to frequent issues with fluid retention in his body, resulting in low blood pressure and hindering his physical therapy progress. He also experienced two episodes in the ICU due to sepsis and alarmingly low blood pressure, with no infection source found during the second incident. Despite efforts to drain excess fluid from his chest and abdomen, it continued to accumulate, prompting concern from his doctors regarding potential liver complications. The communication surrounding his condition was incredibly unclear. One day, they reported that a CT scan indicated his liver was “lumpy and bumpy,” suspecting cirrhosis and liver failure, which was shocking information given he hardly drank alcohol. However, the following day, additional assessments suggested that his liver appeared to function adequately. The focus then shifted to his kidneys, with concerns about his minimal urine output suggesting he might require dialysis. Fortunately, after being administered medication that increased his urine production, they concluded that dialysis was unnecessary. He was released from the ICU, albeit still feeling quite unwell. The next day, we had discussions regarding hospice care, and within hours, I received a call indicating he was “actively dying,” with his oxygen levels plummeting. He passed away just 15 minutes later. This sequence of events left me bewildered and traumatized. How could someone in remission, well enough to leave the ICU, deteriorate and die so swiftly? The death certificate cited hypoxic respiratory failure stemming from renal and liver failure, with heart failure and septic shock listed as contributing conditions. I am puzzled as to why there was no mention of heart failure during his treatment, and if someone doesn’t require dialysis, can they still be classified as experiencing kidney failure? If the liver tests appeared normal, how could liver failure still be a diagnosis? I can’t shake the worry that my father may have suffered distress during his final moments, although the nursing staff assured me his passing was “peaceful.” In such a rapid decline, could they have administered comfort medication to ease his transition? I regret not having the opportunity to speak with a doctor about my father’s situation. I received only a single phone call from a physician who seemed distracted and struggled to answer my questions. At that moment, it felt futile to pursue further information, especially since he had already passed, but now I yearn for clarity and understanding. Any guidance you could provide would be immensely appreciated. Thank you.
Forearm Injury from Cat Scratch: An Unusual Blood Accumulation
This incident occurred about a week ago, and thankfully, I'm not in any immediate risk. I’m a 40-year-old male and the only medication I think might apply to my situation is a beta blocker. About a week back, while tending to a stray cat, I ended up with a scratch that led to an eerie, blood-filled bulge on my forearm that reminded me of a scene from John Carpenter's "The Thing." Rather than just a minor scratch, a small puncture from one of the cat's claws resulted in a peculiar, blood-filled protrusion that jutted out at a right angle from my arm. It resembled a diminutive pinky finger sticking out from the side of my forearm. In a panic, I doused the area with hydrogen peroxide; shortly thereafter, the bulge began to shrink, leaving the skin in that section feeling loose for a little while. The following day, I noticed that a significant portion—about three-quarters—of my forearm was heavily bruised, exhibiting a dark purple hue. Remarkably, this discoloration has faded quite rapidly; usually, such a severe bruise would take much longer to heal. I’ve kept an eye out for any symptoms of cat scratch fever, and everything appears to be normal. What I’m really curious about is whether it’s actually possible for skin to erupt like a blood-filled balloon from a vein so quickly. I witnessed it firsthand, and I just need reassurance that I’m not imagining things.
Inquiry About Nerve Injury Recovery
Greetings, in late August 2025, I experienced a significant incident where I was severely bitten by a German shepherd on my left forearm when I was 22 years old. During the attack, the dog shook its head, which contributed to the severity before my father managed to intervene. After a couple of hours, I visited urgent care, despite my father's initial hesitation to seek treatment. There, I was prescribed antibiotics and given guidelines on how to clean the wound and manage my recovery. The medical professionals I consulted indicated that the extent of my injuries would likely mean a prolonged recovery, noting that my forearm had swelled considerably and formed a large hematoma due to the trauma. Currently, I am worried about ongoing weakness and rapid fatigue when using my affected muscles, which are in my dominant arm, as well as persistent burning sensations and numbness in the area. While the discomfort has become less intolerable, it's still not pleasant. I find myself uncertain about the healing timeline for such injuries beyond the initial expectations set during those early weeks. Is it typical to experience this degree of ongoing pain with an injury of this nature? Additionally, I am on various psychiatric medications, including antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics, and have recently started gabapentin for a previous back injury, which has shown some efficacy. I also have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which I suspect might be influencing my recovery process.
Concerns Regarding Recent Eye Issues
Hello everyone, this is my first time sharing on this platform about my concerns. I am a 31-year-old woman, standing 5'3" and weighing 269 lbs. My medical background includes type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), rosacea, anxiety, depression, and some seasonal allergies, particularly to the timothy hay at the animal shelter where I am employed. My current medications include the generic versions of Zoloft and Wellbutrin, Metformin, a multivitamin, low-dose Aspirin, Slynd for PCOS management, and generic Zyrtec for my allergies. What I am experiencing relates to issues that have been occurring intermittently over the last few years, well before starting many of these medications or developing some of these conditions. Recently, for about a week, my right eye has become noticeably red and painful. There is no swelling, but my eyelid appears droopier than the left, and occasionally it feels as though there’s something irritating it, even though I cannot see anything. Sometimes, the eye becomes very watery, although there’s no discharge present. The pain is not constant; it fluctuates, and when it occurs, it feels quite sharp, affecting my eye as well as the brow above it and occasionally the temple area. This discomfort has predominantly affected my right eye in the past, with the left eye occasionally experiencing similar symptoms, but rarely at the same time. I can go for months or even years without any problems, but it does return from time to time. I've consulted various eye specialists, urgent care providers, and the emergency room, and despite thorough examinations, nothing significant has been detected besides mild inflammation. On a few occasions, I was prescribed what I think were steroid eye drops, and during my ER visit, they applied numbing drops. These episodes eventually resolve on their own, sometimes leaving me symptom-free for extended periods, though I question the effectiveness of the steroid drops I've been given. In my last eye exam, my vision remained stable, and I should note that I have worn glasses since I was around nine or ten, without any significant changes in vision to date. Importantly, there was no evidence of diabetes-related damage to my eyes. I do need to schedule this year’s eye examination, but I struggle with the thought of visiting doctors due to my intense aversion to phone calls. Additionally, I am in urgent need of a new primary care physician since my previous one left the practice last September, but I’ve found it challenging to allocate time and energy for this among my work commitments and fatigue. I recognize that I need to prioritize my health more effectively, especially as my depression often leads to a lack of concern for my own welfare. I apologize for digressing, but I would be extremely grateful for any insights regarding my symptoms. Furthermore, over the past five years, I have been experiencing severe ear infections, a surprisingly new issue since I rarely had them during childhood. I do not swim, but I often find water getting trapped in my ears, which are also prone to excessive wax buildup. Although I'm unsure if this could be related to my eye issues, I have been fortunate not to have had an ear infection since I began taking Zyrtec daily. I'm curious whether there could be any connection, as both problems are in close proximity, affecting areas in the head.
Persistent Bump on Shoulder Linked to Old Splinter
- Age: 20 - Mental Health Conditions: Anxiety, BPD, Depression - Medications: Clonidine, Lamictal, Adderall, Strattera - Recreational Use: Cannabis Approximately four years ago, I had a tiny splinter lodged in my arm, and since that incident, I've been experiencing persistent bumps in the same location. I believed the splinter was completely removed. The bump occasionally causes discomfort, but it's quite small, making it difficult to determine if anything remains inside it. Do you think a visit to a healthcare professional would be advisable? I'm uncertain about the appropriate steps to take. I appreciate any guidance you can offer!