severe headaches diabetic Posted: 06-25-08 15:38pm
My aunt is 61 years old. she has been a
non-compliant diabetic for 18 years, and
is suffering subsequent problems now due
to the lack of due diligence.
About a month ago she was c/o severe
headaches, accompanied with n/v. the h/a's
would start behind the eyes and radiate to
the top of her head and around to the back
of her head.
Along with the headaches, she also had
severe hypertension - upwards of 250 over
140 - every time she has these head aches.
Her blood sugar shoots up to 400+ as
well.
She has no history of hypertension. she is
not on any bp meds either. She has two
TIA's in the past (approx. two years ago
was the last one).
She went into the hospital and had a
battery of tests. here are the results:
CT of the head: Negative
MRI of the head: Negative
MRA of the Kidney's: Negative
CBC: Normal
CMP: Normal (mind you, this is an 18 year,
non-compliant diabetic)
EKG: Normal
Ultrasound of the Kidney's: Normal
It was then suspected that she had Renal
Stenosis, however, when the dye was
injected, they saw that the arteries were,
in fact perfectly patent w/o occlusion.
They finally sent her home, however, she
is still suffering from horrible
headaches. she can not take
migrane/cluster headache meds because
she's allergic to sulfa.
the doctors are stumped, I'm stumped and
her husband is stumped. please, someone
offer some insight.
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Carifairy
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 Nov 2005 Posts: 2610 Location: Charlotte n.c.
Thanks: 12
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Posted: 06-25-08 16:08pm
It seems to me that it is very easily
explained.
I am a womans health nurse
Diabetics who are 'non-compliant' will
have a HUGE range of symptoms. These can
CERTAINLY include headaches, stroke, and
hypertension.
I am shocked that any doctor would seem
stumped. I would expect to see that and
possibly MORE from a diabetic who has not
been very diligent with her health.
Also.. Many patients with high blood
pressure will have headaches, that is a
side effect of high blood pressure in
general. Weakness and tiredness are
symptoms as well.
I recommend seeking out a new doctor,
PREFERABLY someone with experience for
patients age 60+ GERONTOLOGISTS
These are all interconnected! She NEEDS to
control her blood sugar! It needs to be
WELL below 120.
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tampairish
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 2
ALMOST FORGOT Posted: 06-25-08 17:43pm
she has also had a lumbar puncture, which
was negative.
the problem, at this point, is that no
matter what they try, they can nor control
the BP. she is on clonidine, and another
BP med that is supposed to spare the
kidney's because of the years of abuse
they have taken.
I'm starting to think more along the lines
of a tyramine sensitivity, although she is
not on any MAOI's or antidepressant psych
meds (she DOES take Xanax PRN, and is on
Lexapro), that would cause the sensitivity
to increase.
I'm very concerned about the BP as well as
the sugar. Her sugars are in the 115 to
140's prior to the onset of the headache.
As soon as the headache hits, EVERYTHING
shoots up.
She is not eating anything due to the N/V
the headaches induce.
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Carifairy
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 Nov 2005 Posts: 2610 Location: Charlotte n.c.
Thanks: 12
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Posted: 06-25-08 18:03pm
It could be that when everything goes up
that she will get headaches..
It could be that happening...
Is she actually taking the meds properly?
IF she does not take proper care of her
diabetes, then she could be neglecting her
health..
kidney issues by itself can really
increase blood pressure and cause
problems.
