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What Causes Headache And Heart Palpitations When With History Of Breast Cancer?
Question: Thank you. I am waking up with heart palpatations, headaches and now am having difficulty functioning at work. I find myself just staring at my computer screen and kind of confused. My HCT has been low for quite some time following chemotherapy for breast cancer (chemo ended 12/2014) The headaches started back in Dec but the MRI had only, what they called, incidental findings. The report said something about increased signal strength being age related. The history provided to the radiologist did not include my recent history of Stage III breast cancer. The headaches were attributed to occipital neuralgia and I took muscle relaxers for a month and did neck exercises, which I am still doing, and the headaches became less frequent. I'm exhausted all of the time and often nauseated when I eat. I'm afraid when I go to the doctor tomorrow they are going to say it's anxiety and I really want to have a repeat MRI because I'm scared. I'm just wondering if a repeat MRI is reasonable.
Brief Answer:
MRI if required will be advised, discuss issues
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Headache is mostly primary like migraine or tension type headache.
In your case with breast cancer possibility of secondary headache is there.
The work up required is definitely MRI brain contrast with CSF study but if there is no features suggestive of raised intracranial pressure, seizures, weakness or paralysis, visual loss then possibility of positive findings or relationship to breast cancer is highly unlikely.
Anxiety and tension are the commonest cause of headache.
Just communicate your concerns about breast cancer and MRI. If there is any suggestion then MRI will be a part of work up.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
MRI if required will be advised, discuss issues
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Headache is mostly primary like migraine or tension type headache.
In your case with breast cancer possibility of secondary headache is there.
The work up required is definitely MRI brain contrast with CSF study but if there is no features suggestive of raised intracranial pressure, seizures, weakness or paralysis, visual loss then possibility of positive findings or relationship to breast cancer is highly unlikely.
Anxiety and tension are the commonest cause of headache.
Just communicate your concerns about breast cancer and MRI. If there is any suggestion then MRI will be a part of work up.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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