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What Causes Headache And Anxiety After Taking Methamphetamine?
Question: okay hello first of all I don't do drugs,, but on XXXXXXX 4th I got drunk at a party and snorted meth once ,one line ,I was told it was coke.. the next day I woke up clinching my teeth and had a big headache on top my head all over , I had the headache for the month of XXXXXXX ,, on July first week the head ache subsided, but still had head pressure,, it has been sub siding slowly I also had anxiety nervousnous for the last 3 weeks and it also has been sub siding slowly. Almost gone ,,,I still have some head pressure by the temple to top of the head .. so my question is ..IS this from the anxiety or is it from the trauma of the meth ? it is subsiding slowly seems to take a long time will it subside completely ,,would you have a time line for it to subside ?
Brief Answer:
Anxiety is the cause
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
I do not think the symptoms are directly related to the use of meth. In long time users it may leave some long lasting changes in neurotransmitter levels, but with a one time only use as you say that is not the case, its effect is long gone.
As you yourself suggest I believe the symptoms to be due to anxiety which is a common associate of tension type headache. The scare you took after the meth use may have triggered the exacerbation, but usually there is a a predisposition to anxiety and that is most likely your case.
It is difficult to speak of timelines as people vary, in most a one time meth use doesn't do much at all. As I said the reason it is persisting is because there is an anxiety predisposition background and symptoms may persist for months. Since you've been slowly improving I would give it some more time, but if symptoms persist for one more month maybe a course of antianxiety medication may be considered. In the meantime try to be active, exercise regularly, activities like yoga are also of help.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Anxiety is the cause
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
I do not think the symptoms are directly related to the use of meth. In long time users it may leave some long lasting changes in neurotransmitter levels, but with a one time only use as you say that is not the case, its effect is long gone.
As you yourself suggest I believe the symptoms to be due to anxiety which is a common associate of tension type headache. The scare you took after the meth use may have triggered the exacerbation, but usually there is a a predisposition to anxiety and that is most likely your case.
It is difficult to speak of timelines as people vary, in most a one time meth use doesn't do much at all. As I said the reason it is persisting is because there is an anxiety predisposition background and symptoms may persist for months. Since you've been slowly improving I would give it some more time, but if symptoms persist for one more month maybe a course of antianxiety medication may be considered. In the meantime try to be active, exercise regularly, activities like yoga are also of help.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
okay yes , i thinking it was a tension headache.. the pressure seems to be in my sinuses around the nose up in the corner of the nose and eye... do you think my sinuses could be inflamed or just tension .. ? it seems to be a little lighter each day ....I could feel it before on top my head and the back of my neck real good for the first month, and i was in the fog and dizzy then, but that has subsided to almost gone now ......i think good now ,just a little tired by the afternoon .. i started taking 200mg of ibuprofen in the morning and at night for the sinuses is that okay ?.. or should i take something else ? it also seems that as my head or sinuses gets better the anxiety is less.. is that the tension ..
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the additional information.
Sinus and tension headache may have similar characteristics and both are alleviated by Ibuprofen. What would help to distinguish is timeline and accompanying symptoms. Since pain was previously in a different location starting after the meth episode it would be in favor of tension type headache. Also sinus inflammation usually is manifested also by nasal congestion and discharge, so if you don't have a blocked or runny nose it would be unlikely, tension type is more likely.
As for whether you should be taking something else normally Ibuprofen is the medication of choice for the pain. However when it is of a chronic character, especially when in the setting of chronic anxiety a course of anti-anxiety medication with antidepressants (which are also first line medication for anxiety and also used for headache prevention) may be considered.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the additional information.
Sinus and tension headache may have similar characteristics and both are alleviated by Ibuprofen. What would help to distinguish is timeline and accompanying symptoms. Since pain was previously in a different location starting after the meth episode it would be in favor of tension type headache. Also sinus inflammation usually is manifested also by nasal congestion and discharge, so if you don't have a blocked or runny nose it would be unlikely, tension type is more likely.
As for whether you should be taking something else normally Ibuprofen is the medication of choice for the pain. However when it is of a chronic character, especially when in the setting of chronic anxiety a course of anti-anxiety medication with antidepressants (which are also first line medication for anxiety and also used for headache prevention) may be considered.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
actual after the meth I just had a big headache but a week later the headache was on top my head like a burning sensation and a throbbing around my eyes and nose that's why I thought I had a sinuses infection..i went to the doc he gave me antibiotics for 10 days and a nose spray thinking it was a bacterial infection ..but every time I used the nose spray it seemed to burn up in the siniuses on top my head were it was already feeling burnt and sore. ..I did not say anything about the meth because I did not know what it was anyway.. so 3 weeks later I still had the same symptoms but were subsiding ,,,he referred me to a ENT which iam to see next week ... ,,but after that the red flags went up and I started reading about this meth crap so I went back to the doc and he did a urine test for a drug analysis I get that back next week ,now which is on my 7th week the symptoms are much less there is a light clamp on top my head and a very light throbbing around the bridge of my nose up to the corner of my eye and tight XXXXXXX on the back of my head to the neck . its like a light head cold tension....If I take 200mg of Ibuprofen it goes away ..now the anxiety I don't feel to much nervousness unless I take all my breath away close my eyes I can feel a light throb on top my head and I can feel the nerves ever so slightly running through the back of the neck and down .. but I feel tired by late afternoon motivation is not the greatest..it seems to be subsiding slowly ,,so do you think it just sinuses tension headache ? with a little anxiety.. ? do you think this will subside completely over time .. thanks
also I forgot to mention that starting the 5th week after the big headache went away, I started to have night sweets and I could feel my nervous system starting to be real nervous and that's when I had anxiety real bad I could feel the nervousness all day and my head was in a fog and I couldn't dew any math say I had no motivation at all went on for 2 weeks but was subsiding a little each day until now today were its very not noticeable just have this sinuses or head tension going on ..
but I should say that the anxiety I still have a little agitation but not much if I get rushed I can feel my self starting to get anxious... but I calm down fairly fast ....so I am just hoping this all subsides sooner than later ...
also I forgot to mention that starting the 5th week after the big headache went away, I started to have night sweets and I could feel my nervous system starting to be real nervous and that's when I had anxiety real bad I could feel the nervousness all day and my head was in a fog and I couldn't dew any math say I had no motivation at all went on for 2 weeks but was subsiding a little each day until now today were its very not noticeable just have this sinuses or head tension going on ..
but I should say that the anxiety I still have a little agitation but not much if I get rushed I can feel my self starting to get anxious... but I calm down fairly fast ....so I am just hoping this all subsides sooner than later ...
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the update.
The more details you provided in your account the more confident I am that it is tension type headache exacerbated also by anxiety. The changing location, the sensations in the top of your head and your neck, the way you feel in the afternoon, the nervousness you obviously experience etc, they all support that theory. It’s fine that you are going to see an ENT, that way you can put your mind at rest about sinus issues, but in my opinion at least 90% of that picture you provide is related to anxiety and tension type headache.
Hopefully you’ll be able to overcome it but you might need help if symptoms persist, psychotherapy , yoga, relaxation exercises would be the first step and if that is not enough antianxiety medication which I already mentioned would be the next step.
Wishing you good health
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the update.
The more details you provided in your account the more confident I am that it is tension type headache exacerbated also by anxiety. The changing location, the sensations in the top of your head and your neck, the way you feel in the afternoon, the nervousness you obviously experience etc, they all support that theory. It’s fine that you are going to see an ENT, that way you can put your mind at rest about sinus issues, but in my opinion at least 90% of that picture you provide is related to anxiety and tension type headache.
Hopefully you’ll be able to overcome it but you might need help if symptoms persist, psychotherapy , yoga, relaxation exercises would be the first step and if that is not enough antianxiety medication which I already mentioned would be the next step.
Wishing you good health
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
yes I went to the ENT he said everything was good with the sinuses, I can tell that the anxiety is faint but still there ..also my tension headache is a lot less but still can feel it on top my head and slightly at the bridge of the nose , back of the neck still stiff .... going to start physo on wed..Question , can you take a muscle relaxant just for tension of the head muscles ? if so would that be a good idea. also if I start with anxiety medicine will that help with subsiding the tension ? would you know what would be the best anxiety medicine to take ? thanks
I got some of this "RediCalm " product, not Shure if it is that good ,, It is all natural has L-THEANINE , 5HTP ,ASHWGANDHA POWDER, LEMON BALM POWDER , PASSION FLOWER POWDER.. I have tried it but doesn't work that good it says it helps with gaba and serotonin levels ..does the medication that doctors prescribed for anxiety also help with these levels?
I got some of this "RediCalm " product, not Shure if it is that good ,, It is all natural has L-THEANINE , 5HTP ,ASHWGANDHA POWDER, LEMON BALM POWDER , PASSION FLOWER POWDER.. I have tried it but doesn't work that good it says it helps with gaba and serotonin levels ..does the medication that doctors prescribed for anxiety also help with these levels?
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I wouldn't take a muscle relaxant for that purpose. Doesn't address the source of the symptoms and are not used for that purpose, remember they have potential for side effects as well.
Yes anxiety medicine should help. Most commonly used are antidepressants like amitriptyline (tricyclic class) or citalopram (SSRI class). They take some weeks to come into full effect. Also it's preferable to start them only if psychotherapy has been tried and deemed insufficient. Since you are gradually getting better I wouldn't hurry to take medication which once started is usually continued for at least 6 months.
I am not familiar with the product you mention. There are so many products like that in the market, making big claims, but in reality there are no studies regarding the efficacy of most of them, it's a question of making profit.
Antidepressants do affect serotonin levels, not much gaba levels.
Wishing you good health.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I wouldn't take a muscle relaxant for that purpose. Doesn't address the source of the symptoms and are not used for that purpose, remember they have potential for side effects as well.
Yes anxiety medicine should help. Most commonly used are antidepressants like amitriptyline (tricyclic class) or citalopram (SSRI class). They take some weeks to come into full effect. Also it's preferable to start them only if psychotherapy has been tried and deemed insufficient. Since you are gradually getting better I wouldn't hurry to take medication which once started is usually continued for at least 6 months.
I am not familiar with the product you mention. There are so many products like that in the market, making big claims, but in reality there are no studies regarding the efficacy of most of them, it's a question of making profit.
Antidepressants do affect serotonin levels, not much gaba levels.
Wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
okay yes I still get these butterfly kinda nerves comes and go been hard to do some work ,, so have discussed with my doctor, he has decided to prescribe PMS -CLONAZEPAM RO .5MG 2wice a day for 2 weeks to calm me and also prescribed FLUOXETINE HCL 10MG once a day for as long as 6 months ..he figures the serotonin levels are high. This should help with the tension headache ..it has been subsiding but still have a dull kind of throb around temples and the bridge of the nose , back of neck tight ... iam going for psyctherapy as well , and iam to see a psychologist next week .....do you think the tension will subside all together ? would a CT scan be a good idea ?
Brief Answer:
I agree with the choice of drugs
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
The doctor seems to have thought more or less along the same lines as I. He has prescribed treatment for anxiety with a SSRI antidepressant (fluoxetine). Because as I told you they need some weeks to achieve full action he has decided to accompany it with Clonazepam at first. Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine, a class of medication used for anxiety but not for long times due to its potential for abuse.
I think the headache will subside eventually, but you may have recurrences from time to time in the future.
As for CT, I do not see a motive for it. CT is a test not a therapy. It is used when a cause such as a tumor or a stroke is suspected. No such brain lesion is suspected in your case so CT isn't of much use.
I agree with the choice of drugs
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
The doctor seems to have thought more or less along the same lines as I. He has prescribed treatment for anxiety with a SSRI antidepressant (fluoxetine). Because as I told you they need some weeks to achieve full action he has decided to accompany it with Clonazepam at first. Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine, a class of medication used for anxiety but not for long times due to its potential for abuse.
I think the headache will subside eventually, but you may have recurrences from time to time in the future.
As for CT, I do not see a motive for it. CT is a test not a therapy. It is used when a cause such as a tumor or a stroke is suspected. No such brain lesion is suspected in your case so CT isn't of much use.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
okay thanks I have a few more questions so therapy on the neck and temples and nose area is what's going to help with relieving the tension is that right ? some times I am in the fog is that the serotonin levels being high? so after I eat I get a little nervous like butterflies in the stomach them my head between the temples start to throb a little harder, then I seem to be in the fog abit is this the serotonin levels causing this ?
Brief Answer:
As follows
Detailed Answer:
Therapy isn't directed at the neck, nose and temples. It is directed at anxiety which if reduced should also help with the tension you feel.
The medication (fluoxetine) doesn't reduce serotonin, on the contrary it raises its levels (by inhibiting its elimination). Changes in serotonin levels are thought to be one of the main mechanisms of anxiety and depression (not the only one, there are other neurotransmitters in the brain, much is still not understood by science). So by increasing serotonin levels it is aimed to reduce anxiety and as a result the sensations you experience.
Hope you'll feel better soon.
As follows
Detailed Answer:
Therapy isn't directed at the neck, nose and temples. It is directed at anxiety which if reduced should also help with the tension you feel.
The medication (fluoxetine) doesn't reduce serotonin, on the contrary it raises its levels (by inhibiting its elimination). Changes in serotonin levels are thought to be one of the main mechanisms of anxiety and depression (not the only one, there are other neurotransmitters in the brain, much is still not understood by science). So by increasing serotonin levels it is aimed to reduce anxiety and as a result the sensations you experience.
Hope you'll feel better soon.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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