HomeAnswersNeurologyheadacheHow to manage chronic headaches due to subdural hematoma?

How do I treat the chronic headache due to subdural hematoma and CSF leakage?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Hitesh Kumar

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At July 21, 2022
Reviewed AtOctober 12, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am in my forties with type 2 diabetes. I was also diagnosed with subdural hematoma due to CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) leakage two years back and have had constant migraines since then. I have taken multiple CT (computed tomography) scans and show no sign of brain bleed, but I have tenderness in the temple and pain in the face and left arm. I cannot sleep because of the headache, and it feels like the blood vessels are making a sound in the head. I also get anxiety attacks sometimes. Also, I had to rush to the clinic at night thinking I had a heart attack, but the ECG (electrocardiogram) showed no sign of a heart problem. I am currently on anxiety medication for the past six months. The medications have helped me with my anxiety, but still, I am not feeling good. Kindly help.

Answered by Dr. Hitesh Kumar

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understand your concern.

I would like to know some more details about your symptoms:

  1. Did you undergo any surgery for the subdural hematoma, or did it resolve on its own?
  2. Since when did you start to have headaches or migraine?
  3. Which part of the head pain during a headache? Is it always in the exact location, or does the location changed?
  4. What kind of pain do you have-heaviness, bursting, squeezing, stretching, throbbing, or some other type? What is the intensity of the pain?
  5. Are your headaches intermittent or persistent?
  6. If the pain is intermittent, how long does the pain persists?
  7. Do you have nausea or vomiting along with a headache?
  8. Is your headache associated with watery eyes, redness in th eyes, or nasal blockage?
  9. Have you noticed any specific triggering factor for the headache?
  10. How frequently do you get these headaches?
  11. What is the status of your vision- distant objects and nearby objects?
  12. Have you undergone an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan of the brain?
  13. How frequent are your anxiety attacks, and when did you start to have them?

Also, I would like to know some details about your sleep; How is your sleep routine? Do you get sleepy soon after laying in bed, or does it take a long time? Once got sleepy, do you have frequent awakenings during sleep? Do you feel fresh on awakening from sleep in the morning?

As you have undergone CT (computed tomography) scan, kindly attach the reports and revert with the answers.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Thank you for your reply doctor.

  1. Subdural Hematoma was treated for CSF leak with a blood patch procedure and followed a few days later with a burr to drain the remaining fluid. Everything was successful, I have had various CT scans and one MRI scan, and none have shown re-occurrence of another CSF leak or bleeding.
  2. I have continued to have migraine headaches post subdural hematoma. I have them very regularly and have become very accustomed to them. I have episodes that seem to last for weeks at a constant ache, and I have learned to manage to live with it. But sometimes, they get very intense and unbearable pain that I cannot work. I get anxious because of the headache, thinking if I have a recurrence of the brain bleed. I have constant pressure and pain regularly.
  3. The pain is felt over the temples, forehead, and lower neck.
  4. I feel heaviness in the head and throbbing pain in the forehead and temples. In addition, I feel nauseous, along with a headache. Also, I feel a ringing sensation in my ears.
  5. I have a persistent headache.
  6. I have been taking painkillers for almost three years.
  7. I always feel nauseous.
  8. I did not have watery eyes, but I sometimes felt wet in my ears.
  9. When I touch the face gently, it still hurts lightly. Although gentle massage in the forehead also alleviates the pain. But on laying down, there seems to be no change in the pain
  10. Also, I take Tablet Topamax 150 mg twice a day and botox injections every three months. However, this combination has helped me manage my symptoms to some extent.
  11. I have poor vision without the glasses.
  12. I have attached reports.
  13. A few months back, my anxiety attack got so severe that I had to rush to a nearby clinic, not understanding what was happening to me. Since then, I have been on medication for the same, and the conditions are better now than before.

Kindly help.

Answered by Dr. Hitesh Kumar

Hello,

Welcome back to iciniq.com.

As per the symptoms described by you, it could be:

  • Chronic migraine headache.
  • Tension headache.
  • Associated anxiety and panic attacks.

I would suggest you take medicines (consult with a specialist doctor, talk with him or her and take medicines with their consent):

1. Tablet Amitriptyline.

2. Tablet Propranolol.

Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Hitesh Kumar
Dr. Hitesh Kumar

Neurology

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