[Candyce]

Headaches during treatment

by Candyce on Thu Jul 16, 2015 8:37 pm

My 72-year-old husband has Stage 4 myeloma. He was diagnosed in March 2012. He is a fighter and has been on Velcade, Cytoxan, Revlimid, and now Kyprolis since last January, all with dex. Even so, he has only been hospitalized once (for gout, two years ago). He is very anxious and his oncologist is good in keeping his anxiety down.

For the past 4 months, he's been getting headaches, sometimes bad. He had a CAT scan, his doctor said he has lesions, but the headaches could be from a bad sinus infection. Another doctor we saw, a myeloma specialist too, said the same. My husband did expel a large amount of thick, dark yellow mucus several times about 2 months ago. It looked like glue almost. I wonder if the headaches could be from the steroids.

He can only take Aleve (naproxen) once a week if he takes it all. One Aleve and a pain killer help his headaches. Tylenol (acetaminophen, paracetamol) doesn't do anything.

I'd like to hear from others about headache experiences. Is this common? Any suggestions? Should we do anything else regarding his headache and medical care?

Thank you,
Candyce

[NStewart]

Re: Headaches during treatment

by NStewart on Fri Jul 17, 2015 5:43 pm

Did your husband ever have any antibiotic treatment for the supposed sinus infection? Have you considered seeing an ENT (ear, nose, throat specialist, also known at an otolaryngologist)? If he is having headaches due to sinus problems, then that should be determined by a specialist in that area and treated, if needed.

All the best,
Nancy in Phila

[mikeb]

Re: Headaches during treatment

by mikeb on Tue Jul 21, 2015 11:20 am

Hi Candyce,
Thick dark yellow mucus sure makes it sound like a sinus infection to me. I get sinus infections typically once or twice during the winter each year. I cannot seem to shake them on my own; I need the help of an antibiotic, as Nancy suggested.

So it might be good for your husband to go to his PCP or to an ENT and try an antibiotic. Keeping his oncologist informed about what he is doing, of course.

Good luck to your husband.
Mike