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Head Pain when coughing or bending down???

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Posted 10/25/2008 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hope someone can provide some advice! about a month ago I started getting what felt like Tension-Type Headaches and this was also what my doctor called them. A dull throbbing pain in the back of the head (both side) towards the forehead over one eye. I could buy this because I have a very stressful job that keeps me in front of a computer for 8-9 hours a day not to mention a bad diet and lack of time for exercise. I also have a very busy 3 year old:) He told me to take over the counter Tylenol and asked if I would like to try some Lexapro for the stress which I decided against. The one other symptom that developed is that I have a slight to moderate pain in my forehead to top of my head when I bend down, cough or move very quickly like jumping up and down.

Several days after my visit I woke up with a throbbing headache in the corner of my left eye and pain in my forehead. I went to an urgent care on a Saturday and the doctor said I had the classic symptoms of a sinus infection although I had no fever and only a little clear congestion. She gave me Levaquin (which I was very disappointed after investigating this antibiotic) and told me to take over the counter sinus relievers. After 5 days of the antibiotic I started to get some energy back because before I was very fatigued.

So enough rambling, could this be a sinus thing still after 6 days of antibiotics? The headaches still occur when I bend over, cough or jump up and down. The pain is in my forehead to top of the head and sometimes in the back. It's never really bad but just unnerving since I have never had headaches. I do feel a bit unbalanced every now and then but it's usually if I bend my head down or lay on my back.

Any ideas???
Posted 10/25/2008 6:32 AM (GMT 0)

csmcl1979 said...
Hope someone can provide some advice! about a month ago I started getting what felt like Tension-Type Headaches and this was also what my doctor called them. A dull throbbing pain in the back of the head (both side) towards the forehead over one eye. I could buy this because I have a very stressful job that keeps me in front of a computer for 8-9 hours a day not to mention a bad diet and lack of time for exercise. I also have a very busy 3 year old:) He told me to take over the counter Tylenol and asked if I would like to try some Lexapro for the stress which I decided against. The one other symptom that developed is that I have a slight to moderate pain in my forehead to top of my head when I bend down, cough or move very quickly like jumping up and down.

Several days after my visit I woke up with a throbbing headache in the corner of my left eye and pain in my forehead. I went to an urgent care on a Saturday and the doctor said I had the classic symptoms of a sinus infection although I had no fever and only a little clear congestion. She gave me Levaquin (which I was very disappointed after investigating this antibiotic) and told me to take over the counter sinus relievers. After 5 days of the antibiotic I started to get some energy back because before I was very fatigued.

So enough rambling, could this be a sinus thing still after 6 days of antibiotics? The headaches still occur when I bend over, cough or jump up and down. The pain is in my forehead to top of the head and sometimes in the back. It's never really bad but just unnerving since I have never had headaches. I do feel a bit unbalanced every now and then but it's usually if I bend my head down or lay on my back.

Any ideas???

It could be a variety of things.  But I did learn something recently about a little-known condition recently called "Arnold Chiari malformation."

I know that one of the symptoms is migraine and/or pain when bending one's head/neck, coughing, sneezing, exertion, etc.  But don't be alarmed because many other conditions can do this.

Chiari can sometimes cause other neurological symptoms such as numbness and tingling, and in rare cases can progress to something even more debilitating.  I'm definitely not saying you have it.  But I hear that even with an MRI, the signs of a Chiari malformation are often overlooked.  Doctors just aren't very educated about it.

But for all I know it could simply be a sinus problem or something much less serious--I'm not the expert.

The only reason I know about this is because I'm exploring what's wrong in my perplexing case, and I have *some* (but not all) symptoms in common with Chiari.  I hope you're not an anxious hypochondriac like me.  Just better that you're aware of this possibility so if your condition *does* get worse, you could ask the doctors about it, specifically.

Hope this helps,

Batman

Posted 11/5/2008 12:23 AM (GMT 0)
Absolutely a sinus thing! ALl your symptoms are much like mine and mine were all related to a sinus problem. Anytime you bend over and feel a headache or pressure or crackling ears it can be a sinus infection. Z-paks work best for sinus infections as does ibuprofen, keeps the swelling down. Have you had a cat sacn? This can show if you have a blocked sinus (which sound slike the case). I had mine unblocked (minor surgery) and it has helped immensely. I do still get an occasional sinus infection but nothing like I was getting.

When you first feel that one symptom of bending down or feeling any pressure at all, start drinking water (NOT sugary drinks or dehydrating drinks like coffee), start taking ibuprofen 600 mgs every 4 hours and see if you can beat it on your own. Get yourself a humidifier if you live in a dry area (I swear you will be so glad you did), and if you can't beat it yourself find a doctor who won't mind calling in a z-pak prescription now and again for you.

SOme sinus infections are sneaky and you have them for a while before you realize you actuallyl have them, they sneak up on you. You have to pay attention to your body, it will give you the telltale sign, the bending over problem, the crackling ear problem or the pain behind the eye. Then start your "program" and beat it!
Posted 4/10/2011 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
I had a sharp pain when ever I coughed ,bent down or tried to clear my throat this became unbearable ,I had eye tests,ear ,nose,blood pressure and a MRI scan.Doctors appointments
were a weekly thing together with long trips to 3 different hospitals.Untill I believe I found the answer My central heating and gas fire gets checked every year so when I complained about the smell of gas last year, the gas engineer said every thing was fine.Today I had this years annual servicing and he found that right at the back of the fire GAS was pouring out ,this happened if the fire was on or off. Last years engineer had missed it. Carbon-monoxide poisoning!!!!!If this helps anyone else it will be worth the hassel of registoring
Posted 4/11/2011 5:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, you need to talk to your neurologist if the sinus thing doesn't clear up or make headache go away. They need to order an mri/mra of your brain and that may show the arnold chairi, ask if an mri of neck is needed with and/or without contrast. If no arnold chairi...ask for an lumbar puncture-you'll have to fight to get it - I have and I'm a nurse. But I was right...it's a spontaneous spinal fluid leak-it causes your symptoms as well.it happens very rarely and hard to get proper diagnosis-i'm glad I pushed, I got a blood patch and felt wonderful for a whole day!! I was me!! (Blood patch came loose, sometimes we require 2 or 3 blood patches....but it worked!!!!) I hope yours is not, but if the above choices aren't proven first, please be sure to check it out, well worth getting your life back for it!!! Prayers being sent your way! Amy
Posted 4/19/2011 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with poster Batman55. I have Arnold Chiari Malformation, diagnosed three years ago. The degree of symptoms and discomfort varies in people. Average age of diagnosis is 33 - 37 years old unless you have recently had a car accident or other trauma. An MRI instantly diagnoses this. wwwconquerchiari.org is a great resource.

Please let us know how it works out for you.
Posted 4/19/2011 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
There is another site, ASAP.ORG, which can refer you to a specialist in your state in case you have suspicions. Neurologists don't always know where to send you but CM is always detected in MRI.
Posted 7/1/2013 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
I have all of the symptoms said, also 1 of my nostrels is always blocked but it switches from left to right o.0
Posted 8/23/2013 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
hi there, i know it's been 5 years you posted about your tension/migraine headaches....but can you please tell me if you ever found out what was wrong?? I have the same exact thing....i'm tired of anything not working.
Posted 1/19/2014 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
Just found this forum. I was diagnosed a couple years ago, was prescribed Indomethacin, 25mg. Anyone else prescribed this? I have to take a lot of it to get it to do anything.

My pain is from leaning over or sneezing, top right side of the head. Sometimes really bad, sometimes not even there when I bend over.

Have you'all checked into Cluster Headaches? I took the eval test, I've got it!!! Wonder if I've got both!

Wonder what you are taking & is it working?


Thx
Posted 1/30/2014 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
I got exactly the same symptoms as yours. The head pain would come when bending over, sneezing, coughing, straining, laughing and yelling. It lasted for 30 months. I had x-rays, 2 MRIs all came back negatives. I took some steroids as prescribed by a neurologist, no results. I did a lot of research online. No doctors or neurologists had any idea what was the problem. I started to read about the lymphatic system and the neuro-lymphatic system and understood everything. In order to remove the pain I started to give myself lymphatic massage. I'm now free from pain.
http://www.massagetoday.com/mpacms/mt/article.php?id=14639
Posted 1/30/2014 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
A new update ... from the clusterheadaches forums, they are using Vitamin D3. Some are using D3 & Melatonin. I started that regiment, 2000iu of D3 and 1 Melatonin per day. I am 90% better. The 24/7 headache is gone!!!!!

I still feel a little discomfort when blowing my nose, sneezing or leaning over, but that doesn't trigger an episode that lasts for days & days.

Good luck!
Posted 2/17/2014 9:01 AM (GMT 0)
I'm on the same boat. Get checked for sinus. I also get throbbing pain with head movement, bending down etc. And a constant pain which starts around 1-2 everyday and gets better at midnight. It keeps changing sides, sometimes on both sides. My more isn't really stuffy but blood came from left nostril and my voice is like i have blocked nose, these things make me suspect sinus.
Posted 2/17/2014 9:04 AM (GMT 0)
Though my pain got better with paracetamol.
Posted 3/8/2014 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
I was also getting same type headaches and I still am, throbbing pain, head pain with bending down, coughing sneezing etc, etc... At the onset of this I experienced a short bout of about four days or so with vertigo. I went to the doctor and to be on the safe side or as a starting point, and to determine the cause I was given antibiotics for sinus infection and she referred me to an RNT. I had no other cold symptoms nor congestion. I finished the antibiotics treatment and the head symptoms remain. After doing some research I was able to figure out from the information on the web that I may be suffering from occipital neuralgia which is caused by an inflammation of the occipital nerve, this runs along each side of the head from the back of the head to the front. I cancelled the appointment with the ENT and got a referral to see a neurologist at the headache clinic. Look up these links, the information will be helpful:
https://www.aans.org/Patient%20Information/Conditions%20and%20Treatments/Occiptal%20Neuralgia.aspx
AND
http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/occipital-neuralgia-symptoms-causes-treatments
Posted 3/13/2014 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
I suffer from daily "pressure type headaches." Have a mild constant headache but when I cough, sneeze, strain, bend over etc. my headache severally worsens but momentarily. Had sinus surgery in October. Headaches have gotten worse. Am now seeing a neurologist with no help so far. He is calling them tension migraines. Treated with some prescription (don't remember) but made overall headaches much worse. I am now taking Depakote. The headaches I have are mild but constant - but like I stated previously when I cough or sneeze, etc. - it then feels like someone just stabbed me in the head or like an explosion just happened. The sudden pain goes away immediately. Does NOT interrupt my sleep. MRI shows nothing. Just don't know what to do anymore. There has to be something that is causing these headaches and some kind of treatment. Any suggestions?
Posted 3/24/2014 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
I was in exactly the same boat. Leaning over was a whole new experience :-) Mine worsened from only one side of my head wanting to blow up, to all over. Forget twisting my head side to side ... OUCH. The doctor did every type of scan & test, finally put me on Indomethacin. Very little relief. After reading up on the Cluster head forums, I started a regiment of Vitamin D3. 3000iu / day. 1000iu clear jel tabs, bought at WalMart. 1 with food, 3 times a day. Took about a week to bet 95% pain free. I can't believe it, but it worked for me. If it doesn't work as well, double it or triple it. The cluster head guys take even more.

If you haven't already, read the cluster head forums and search for vitamin D3.

Best of luck.
Posted 5/14/2014 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
I'm glad to find others with almost exactly the same symptoms I have. about two months ago, after an especially stressful time, I developed head pain mostly behind my eyes and at the top of my head whenever I bent over, coughed, sneezed, etc. Dr. said maybe sinus, put me on antibiotics, and it did nothing. Went back, and got checked by an ENT doctor, who said sinuses look clear. Then to orthopedics, and an xray of my upper vertebrae (to see if it was a pinched nerve), and nothing. Then two MRIs to rule out aneurysm and tumor. Both, thankfully, negative. But, the head pain persists, and a week ago it took on a new twist, a sharp, stabbing pain across the back of my skull when I turn my head too fast. It's making me a little crazy, to be honest, I'm 51 and in otherwise pretty excellent shape, and this is beginning to take a toll on my ability to do anything active. Even hitting bumps in the road while driving can jar my neck/head enough to cause pain. Going back Thursday but I'm not optimistic they'll have anymore answers. Glad to hear some of you are finding relief.
Posted 5/20/2014 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
I had a headache for 3-4 mos. (I don't get headaches and I don't believe it them!) Worse when I bent down, horrible when I coughed or bore down. MRI was normal. It was present at most times, just worsened with the above. I noticed that after I went to the dentist, when my head had been lower than the rest of my body for a prolonged time, it was better. That effect lasted through the next day, and then it was back. This lead me to believe that my head was not getting what it needed, whether it was spinal fluid or blood. When I was 14 I suffered a bad whiplash injury and when I was 50 I fell flat on my face on concrete, resulting in a broken nose. I had never been to a chiropractor, mostly due to my upbringing, but I was desperate. After the first treatment, I was 80 percent better. I have now been 3 times and am 90 percent better. I'm looking forward to being pain free very soon. Just wanted you all to know it's an option!
Posted 9/1/2014 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
stephenoflowa

any answers? I'm almost 55 and your symptoms sound similar to mine. The pain only lasts for a second or two, and it's not horrible but it's definitely there!
Posted 11/21/2014 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know if this will help others but I started to get a headache on the right side of my head. I noticed when I bent over to eat my breakfast it shot in a quick pain. I was also experiencing a sinus problem so I decided to try a sinus rinse. I used the rinse twice a day for 5 days and was surprised when the pain went away. I am now using the rinse once a day.and the headache hasn't returned. Hope this helps someone else.
Good luck,
Schatzie
Posted 8/19/2017 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
I had to share this info with everyone. I have been experiencing a soreness type headache for about 2/12 months.

It was not like a common headache and moved from one side to the other and behind the eyes and the movements of that soreness moving, usually took a day. It was really concerning me.

Years ago, I had sinus surgery as I had been a chronic sufferer until after the surgery, so I knew what a sinus headache feels like, but this was not a sinus headache or like any I had before.

I was reading this website and several others, trying to self educate as to what was causing my problem, nothing I tried was working, Advil made no difference.

Last night, I found my problem. I had purchased a new pillow about the time my headaches began, but had NEVER connected the dots before this morning. I really was afraid I had a tumor or bleeding, or something scary and was emotionally getting to a place to begin tests at my doctor's office.

I changed my pillow last night, got up this morning for the first time in 2-1/2 months...no headache, no sore headache when I bend down or cough. It is such a relief I can't tell you. I cannot believe that is all it was.

This seems rudimentary, but this is the truth and what happened to me. I wanted to share it with anyone that it may help.
Posted 3/23/2019 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
I had a headache for 3 months. Worse when bending over, coughing, or straining. It would get worse in the evening after I eat. I solved the problem by taking Chromium and Vanadium Source Naturals Brand. it was 50% better the first day. 75% better the second day. 95% better the third day. 4th day it was like I never had it. This is probably a blood sugar issue. Chromium and Vanadium are required for Glucose Tolerance Factor. Look into it. Good Luck. Be well
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