I have a quick question I am hoping you guys can help me with. In my most recent post,I said Rod had his check up which went really well.I now have a new worry.He has been having more headaches than he did before cancer.It seems like maybe a couple times a month.Is this something I should worry about or do I look for things to worry about???He doesn't seem concerned, he says its just a headache.Does treatment ever cause this?15 months out?Should he mention it to the doctor? He said he had a busy weekend(went to bike week in Daytona) but only had 1 beer yesterday and really didn't do anything out of the ordinary but woke up with a headache.He didn't sleep much with the hurricane going on. Am I being ridiculous?If you guys haven't noticed yet I have big time anxiety about this cancer stuff.Please help!

gosh it could be related to anything, allergies etc.if they have continued though iwould at least speak to my doctor about this. i don't know the entire history but with cancer in the past sometimes you can't be too careful.be positive.

Morning headaches are something that should be given a little more attention, especially if they do not respond to Tylenol or some other OTC remedy. You can find symptoms of brain metastases by doing a Google search and, unfortunately, it is something to keep an eye on. His doctor may want a short brain MRI. At a few a month it is probably nothing, just make sure he is not understating the frequency!

Thank you both for the quick replies.Spoke with Rod this afternoon, he did say it seemed like allergies or sinus. Took some sinutab & it relieved the pressure.He says he will watch the frequency to be safe. Thanks again~Maureen

Maureen,

I generally get at least a couple of headaches a month. I've tried at different times to list any factors I can think of that seem to bring them on -- they include things like certain foods, extreme heat/humidity, sinus problems, and stress. Also, many years ago I found that for me one guaranteed headache trigger is being anywhere near someone who is smoking. I did see an allergy specialist last year who did some tests and gave me a prescription medication that seems to be helping a bit with my sinus problems.

If Rod's headaches get to be more frequent, or he can't attribute them to any of the more usual causes, it probably makes sense for him to see his doctor about them.

Cathy

Maureen,

If you have insurance, and they will pay for it, get a scan. My brain tumor showed up in 4 months! February 2005, no tumor. June 2005, a tumor about 3/4 inches. Quite frankly, I have learned that there is no way to put things nicely here, you know, not trying to alarm someone. He needs to have a scan to rule out brain metastases. Got it? This stuff goes to the lungs, brain and liver, ask me how I know.

Maureen,

When in doubt, see the docs. It is easier to rule something out than to worry about what it might be. I get more headaches and some is from dehydration, some from just a bad spot at the base of the spine that gets really tense after radiation, some from the upper left side of my jaw from radiation.

Ed