Suggest Treatment For Pain In Head, Cough And Flu In An Elderly Person

Posted on Fri, 29 Jan 2016

Question: For 3 weeks now I have had pains on the right side of My head on top and At the temple and discomfort on My ear and sometimes a sense of fullness in My ears these pains leave me with a sense of feeling off balance and I hav slight pins & needles in My hands and more in My Left foot these pains i noticed after I had flu and was Left with a really violent cough when I coughed i felt pains on rhs of My head 4 years ago I had similar symptoms but not cough related and less headpains I had an MRI scan which was Clear and My doctor didnt think necessary I am loathe to go to My doctors because I am sure he thinks i am a hypochondriac and had Little patience with old People I am a 60 year old woman and i am so worried i may hav a brain tumour

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Seems to be migraine. Spondylosis needs to be ruled out.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone very carefully through the details provided and it seems nothing but migraine to me. In any case, MRI has already been done and had a brain tumor been present, it would have shown up on it. So, in other words you can safely rule out brain tumor as a possible cause of your pain and other symptoms.

There are a couple of things to be done. You need to get an X Ray of Cervical spine - AP and lateral done in order to rule out cervical spondylosis as a possible cause. The second is to take naproxen 500 mg one or two tablets together as and when required.

Try to relax, else the headache will unnecessarily worsen.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (7 days later)

Thank you for your reply - the MRI scan was done in December 2010,a long time ago - I am really worried that it may be a brain tumour maybe I need another also what is cervical spondylosis? Sorry to be so pathetic

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Repeat MRI Brain

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. 2010 was long back and I would insist you to repeat the MRI of brain. A negative report should be able to remove your apprehensions about the possibility of a brain tumor. But cervical spondylosis is the probability that I suspect and needs investigation.

You are not being pathetic. All you are in is a confusing situation and I would surely try to help you out.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (5 hours later)

Now I am really scared I have pains rather than a headache on my right hand side sometimes at back and sometimes om top and sometimes at temple and sometimes an ear discomfort I shall have to have an mri scan but will have to wait ll am really worried

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You need to relax

Detailed Answer:
As I have already mentioned, you need to get an X Ray of Cervical spine - AP and lateral done in order to rule out cervical spondylosis as a possible cause. The MRI is just to relieve you from the apprehension of brain tumor. Taking naproxen 500 mg one or two tablets together as and when required should provide relief..

Stop panicking. Anxiety will only make things worse.

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar