Private MRI -Right side headaches -options

[Shivles]

For about 2m I have been suffering with headaches on right side of my head. They are not painful as such I can just feel they are there. Never felt the need for painkillers and they just come and go throughout the day nothing sets them off.

I’ve also had a metal taste in my mouth which my dentist has referred me to a hygienist as a deep clean is desperately needed and he suggests this could be the reason for the taste.

Currently breastfeeding my 9m and in past couple of months I’ve lost just under 2 stone in weight. I don’t have much of an appetite at all but not sure if this is due to a hormone imbalance. The metal taste has massively thrown me and generally worrying about my health. i have spirraled. I have changed my diet totally now eating much better fruits veg and more water.

I’ve had my bloods done in past month and all came back fine. Also saw gps who aren’t concerned.

I have been to the opticians today and they told me my right eye is blurry. Done all tests etc and eye looks perfectly healthy but it is blurry also she said my eye muscles are lazy. Therefore I need glasses - this could be the reason for headaches. Also been referred to eye hospital she said they’ll do further tests and give me excerises to strengthen.

My brother suffered a stroke in 30s effecting right side of his body. This has always given me massive health anxiety concerns.

I am debating booking a private MRI. I really do not have the funds but will find them. My partner suggests I give the glasses a go. Maybe try them for a month and see how I feel…. But as mentioned above I do have anxiety and basically worried sick. The worrying taking over my life

I think it’s difficult to say what it could be but I think it’s important to remember that pregnancy and breast feeding/ hormone changes can really affect eyesight and cause visual changes. I agree that it would be worth seeing if the glasses make a difference but equally another visit to the Gp made be beneficial, even if just for your health anxiety.
I had debilitating headaches about 2 months ago and was started on amitriptilline and it has made such a difference, I also think it’s improved my anxiety which is a double bonus!

I’ve breastfed over a 5 year period (two children). I had headaches which turned out to be because of sitting and holding baby awkwardly whilst feeding. Got physio in the end which helped. Definitely see your gp. breastfeeding can really take it out if you in all sorts of ways x

@Fam23 thank you so much for writing back! You’re totally right and I am trying to remind myself my hormones are all over the place at the moment! I BF my first for 2.5yrs, got pregnant and straight back into BF so my body hasn’t really had a break - I just don’t feel myself at all

loosing the weight has worried me and I’ve never suffered with headaches. I feel my mind is heightening absolutely any feeling I have in my body! I’ve never had anxiety like this before.

i keep going back and forth whether to book or not. My glasses aren’t ready for another week! So it’s whether I can keep a level head and stop worrying for the week and give the glasses a shot but I feel like I’ve become obsessed with something being wrong - I know that sounds crazy!!!! And apologies for the rant

thank you for your reply I do appreciate it x

@Loveskin2024 thank you for your message!! Needed to hear this. My little one is 9m, but I BF my first for 2.5yrs then got pregnant and straight back to it. Periods not returned yet I’m thinking maybe around 12m mark - but thinking could this be the reason why I’m not feeling myself so much?

i find it can be pretty lonely as I don’t know many BF families I can’t relate to anyone and how much my body’s going through I suppose.

Thanks again for messaging do appreciate it x

I’ve been suffering from a pressure type headache for about 6 weeks now. My nose is often blocked too. So I’ve tried a steroid nasal spray which did nothing and now been prescribed amytriptaline. I’ve only been on it a few days so not sure if it’s going to work yet.
Ive also been considering booking/going private but it’s a minefield. optician said my eyes were fine (I do need glasses but that’s no surprise and has been fhe case for years) as I paid for the eye health scan which can see if there is any pressure on the optic nerve.
GP said she will refer me to neurology if the tablets don’t work. She said the waiting lists are long though. I know how you feel I think about it all day it makes me so anxious.
I stopped Bf a few months back so I don’t think mine is hormonal. It’s the second time of stopping bf a child too so in my case I don’t think it’s related. Pregnancy and bf can definitely change your eyesight prescription though.

I would give the glasses a go first. Another chat with your GP also.

Where you trying to lose weight as you said you changed your diet? Breastfeeding will burn a lot of calories so maybe you've cut back to much, also drinking plenty of water may help.

I would hold off on the private scan until you've seen the GP again. As I'll warn you now it may find something that actually has nothing to do with your headache.

I had an MRI for migraine to rule out anything else, they found what appears to be a begin tumour so I now have to have regular scans to make sure it doesn't do anything. The neurologist said they often find things when doing scans that aren't relevant to your symptoms or corse any problems. But if you have health anxiety you don't want to add any more stress until you've tried the other options first.

@Shivles well done for breastfeeding your babies, it’s an achievement ❤️. Your hormones will be all over the place too. I think low Estrogen can cause headaches too x

I totally get why you're worried. But the weight loss could be from breastfeeding. I can't keep weight on when breastfeeding, and in my La Leche League WhatsApp there are a few people in the same position, including ladies who didn't have the issue with their first, but are with their second (probably running round after number one doesn't help!). Perhaps reach out to your local La Leche League for some moral support?

I would wait and see on the glasses. The headaches may ease as soon as you have them. Also, opticians are trained to spot warning signs of neurological issues, and she would have flagged to you if she was concerned. My DSIS's neurological condition was picked up by an optician in the first instance. If course it isn't definitive, but I think you should take some comfort from that.

Has the GP checked your thyroid.

@Shivles that’s such a long time that your body has been providing for someone else too. I really think the fluctuating hormones affect anxiety levels too.
Have you been taking multivitamins? Vitamin D levels being low might be affecting your mood & may be causing other aches and pains which are contributing to your headaches if your posture has changed.

Also folate or vitamin b12 deficiencies can cause visual changes so may be worth taking some breastfeeding vitamins to see if there’s any improvement while you’re awaiting your new glasses.

Can you speak to the health visitor about your anxieties too? I found them really helpful when my daughter was little and I was struggling. I felt that they were more understanding too.