Neurology referral for headaches and weakness

[Snowyowl5]

Hi, I've been suffering from moderate tension type headaches since October. Last few weeks the frequency has increased to daily headaches. They are worse in the morning and sometimes the pain wakes me during the night. I saw my GP before Christmas and had loads of blood tests done - all come back normal. Due to also feeling weakness and tingling down my left arm and leg I was sent to hospital yesterday and given a CT brain scan. The scan was clear which is a relief but they have referred me on to Neurology for further tests. I wish I'd asked more questions when I was in so just looking to hear of similar experiences. I'm worried that maybe I have a small tumour that was missed.

Interestingly I'm having the same problem, except right sided weakness and numbness. I actually thought I was having a stroke two nights ago. Think it might be hemiplegic migraine in my case.

I had exactly the same. Everything was clear. It was stress.

I've been asked about stress but honestly not feeling stressed, other than wondering why I was getting strange symptoms. Really hoping that they just quietly go away!

I went via neurology - a common diagnosis is migraine. I had different symptoms and I was given MRI of brain and spine after clear CT scan. I got small vessel disease and ME diagnosed but it was different symptoms and no headaches or history of them, one doctor thought I had TIA but the other disagreed so that got withdrawn. That was the one sided feelings and not speaking for 10 mins or so.

The very serious diagnosis are quite rare so it'll probably be something like migraines if CT is clear though can miss some small tumours.

Same here! Severe headaches since September - due a CT in Feb but wonder if it will get cancelled (definitely not high priority). When the headaches are really bad I lose my balance and get my words a bit confused. Hope all ends up ok with you - hopefully we're all just more stressed than we realise and nothing too bad.

I have bad balance and confusion / going in and out of feeling consciousness when I get this. Mine was signed off in a rush due to pandemic and them ruling out brain tumours and stroke but one think I wondered it might be was epilepsy, that is sometimes triggered by stress. I also had a folate deficiency and told to take folic acid each day, I take Feroglobin as also had low iron and that helps though best to do blood tests. Mine has improved since I started this though may well not be related.

Actually could be related reading this and was neurology who told me to take supplements:

ada.com/conditions/folate-deficiency/#:~:text=Signs%20and%20symptoms%20of%20folate%20deficiency&text=Muscle%20weakness,problems%20of%20judgement%20and%20understanding

I don't want to scare you but I'm assuming you want honest experiences... my pain was dismissed as probably migraines or stress and even mental health issues for over a year because they missed my tumor on a CT and an MRI. After going to GP and walk in centres with no help, as well as losing my vision, hearing, and sensation in one side of my body and having fits I was ending up in A&E almost every day for over 6 months. For some reason a second person took a look at my MRI months down the line and I was rushed in to see neurosurgeon and neurologist. It still took me ages to get my surgery (it isn't cancerous and pain, even if you have to quit your job and can't take care of your children, isn't life threatening ) and get decent meds but at least they knew the cause and it's now mostly managed. My tumor was tiny which is why they missed it, but because it was left for so long pressing on certain nerves I was left with permanent trigeminal neuralgia. I'd ask for an MRI just in case. Nobody took me seriously and I was even accused of making it up entirely for pain meds (I was 16 when it started and had never taken drugs in my life!). Push, even if it turns out to be something a lot simpler than mine, it's what I'd advise to everyone who has concerns now.

I had exactly this - mine was due to herniated discs in my neck causing nerve pain, weakness, tremors in my hand and horrendous headaches.

B12 is also tested (blood test):

www.health.harvard.edu/blog/vitamin-b12-deficiency-can-be-sneaky-harmful-201301105780

If you haven't had blood tests for folate and B12 worth getting them from a GP if there's a long wait as they are easily correctable.

Thanks for all replies! I've had B12, Vit D and all the other blood tests for iron etc done. Vit D was normal range but low normal and I have been taking more D3 with co-factors for a few weeks. I have been getting some upper jaw pain, almost like sore teeth at times but this has lessened since taking more supplements. My energy levels are good and the headache, though nearly constant is not severe. My balance and co-ordination are fine.

Last year I had experience of being fobbed off for months with lots of normal tests - I learned then you have to keep pushing. I had my gallbladder removed and it was in a much worse state than any scan predicted. I am reassured by the ct scan but I hope they do an mri to at least put my mind at rest. I'm aware tumours are rare but that doesn't mean it can't happen. I've been told to keep a headache diary meantime until I see neurology - hopefully not a long wait but who knows in these difficult times 😕

Good luck OP x

I have this exact condition it's called hemiplegic migraines x