HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Severe Headache

default
Posted on Mon, 20 Jun 2016
Question: hello. I have had a severe headache only when lying down for about a week now. Yesterday I finally got up and stayed up all day and the headache seemed to be almost 100% gone. However, as soon as I went to bed, the headache was back. I ended up sleeping upright in a chair and slept ok.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bruno Mascarenhas (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Suggestive of Raised ICT : Need Fundus Examination and MRI

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to HealthCareMagic.com

I am Dr.Bruno Mascarenhas. I have read your question with care and understand your concerns. Let me try to help you

You have the following Complaints and Symptoms
1. Severe Headache for One Week
2. ONLY when Lying Down
3. Headache is gone when you are staying up
4. Headache back when you go to bed
5. Sleeping Upright in a Chair is OK

6. You have taken Tab. Ibuprofen and Tab. Azithromycin

Based on what you have narrated, this looks like a case of head ache due to increased pressure inside the skull which we call as Raised ICT.

The Pressure inside your skull varies as per your position. It is low when you are standing and it is high when you are lying down. For most people, since the baseline pressure is low, the marginal increase when they lie down does not cause headache. But, in your case, since the baseline pressure itself is high inside your skull, the pressure further rises when you lie down, and at that time, it crosses a critical value as to cause head ache.

Such kinds of headches due to increased pressure inside the skull may not respond to Ibuprofen or Azithromycin

Tab. Acetazolamide 250 mg Morning and Evening may help in reducing the pain

In addition to this, you have to consult a Neurosurgeon in Person who will examine your Eyes (Fundus Examination) to check whether the increased pressure is causing any problems in your Optic Nerve. You may also need few investigations like CT Brain, MRI Brain with MRA and MRV etc to find the cause of increased pressure

So, I would advice you to kindly consult a Neurologist at the earliest

Hope you found the answer helpful.

If you need any clarification / have doubts / have additional questions / have follow up questions, then please do not hesitate in asking again. I will be happy to answer your questions.

Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Bruno Mascarenhas

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 812 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Severe Headache

Brief Answer: Suggestive of Raised ICT : Need Fundus Examination and MRI Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to HealthCareMagic.com I am Dr.Bruno Mascarenhas. I have read your question with care and understand your concerns. Let me try to help you You have the following Complaints and Symptoms 1. Severe Headache for One Week 2. ONLY when Lying Down 3. Headache is gone when you are staying up 4. Headache back when you go to bed 5. Sleeping Upright in a Chair is OK 6. You have taken Tab. Ibuprofen and Tab. Azithromycin Based on what you have narrated, this looks like a case of head ache due to increased pressure inside the skull which we call as Raised ICT. The Pressure inside your skull varies as per your position. It is low when you are standing and it is high when you are lying down. For most people, since the baseline pressure is low, the marginal increase when they lie down does not cause headache. But, in your case, since the baseline pressure itself is high inside your skull, the pressure further rises when you lie down, and at that time, it crosses a critical value as to cause head ache. Such kinds of headches due to increased pressure inside the skull may not respond to Ibuprofen or Azithromycin Tab. Acetazolamide 250 mg Morning and Evening may help in reducing the pain In addition to this, you have to consult a Neurosurgeon in Person who will examine your Eyes (Fundus Examination) to check whether the increased pressure is causing any problems in your Optic Nerve. You may also need few investigations like CT Brain, MRI Brain with MRA and MRV etc to find the cause of increased pressure So, I would advice you to kindly consult a Neurologist at the earliest Hope you found the answer helpful. If you need any clarification / have doubts / have additional questions / have follow up questions, then please do not hesitate in asking again. I will be happy to answer your questions. Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care.