[Pootren]

Sudden pain in skull where lesion is located

by Pootren on Sat Aug 09, 2014 3:13 pm

My dad has been complaining of a pain in the back of his head where one of the lesions is located. He said he also is having 'sinus' issues (feeling stuffed up etc.), so he is convinced it may be a cold, but I"m concerned.

He refused to tell his doctor until his appointment next week. Says he doesn't want to concern them everytime he has a pain etc. He had to get up out of bed last night it was bothering him.He is very stubborn.

Could this wait a week, or should he go to emergency just to be sure. What if the lesion is causing the sinus symptoms?

Very worried but don't want to send him into a panic

[Chris M.]

Re: Sudden pain in skull where lesion is located

by Chris M. on Sat Aug 09, 2014 7:56 pm

I'm sorry to hear your father is experiencing sinus problems, they are no fun. Is he running a fever, indicating an infection might be starting?

When we met my husband's multiple myeloma team the first time, they told us to call them EVERY time he had a fever of 100.5 or more, which normally wouldn't be too big a deal ... for other people. We were also given an after hours number to call the on-call hematologist if a problem cropped up when they were closed. We once had to visit the local hospital's ER after talking to the on-call hematologist about my husband's symptoms, because we live 3 1/2 hrs away from his multiple myeloma specialist. It ended up being the start of pneumonia, but luckily it was nipped in the bud with an early dose of antibiotics.

If your father is running a fever, and/or if his headache becomes worse, I would call his multiple myeloma doctor and possibly go to an Urgent Care or ER, depending on what the multiple myeloma doctor recommends.

Best wishes to you both,
Chris M.

[Pootren]

Re: Sudden pain in skull where lesion is located

by Pootren on Sun Aug 10, 2014 6:48 pm

He is going to call tomorrow morning.

The issue is, is he had sinus trouble for a while now. They put tube in his ears on his left. The lesion is also on the left of brain skull but, looking at the MRI etc., it shows 'decreased flow around sinus' etc. So it may be that the lesion has been the cause of all of this all along. I really doubt it's an infection. The pain is also centered on the left where the lesion is.

I am hoping he gets some relief for this. It's like when he broke his hip. It took forever for doctors to even find it was broken. He was walking around with a broken hip for ages and the bone scans didn't show anything. Eventually he ended up in emergency and they found it. The whole 'head' thing is really worrying.

Anyone else have this on the back skull and have symptoms like this?

[Dr. Heather Landau]

Re: Sudden pain in skull where lesion is located

by Dr. Heather Landau on Mon Aug 11, 2014 12:36 am

Pootren,

Thanks for reaching out and sharing your concerns! I am terribly sorry your father is suffering and you have this worry. Indeed, there is no need to send him into a panic, but like Chris mentioned, I urge my patients to "complain, complain, complain" so that I can help figure out sooner rather than later if there is anything to be concerned about when patients are experiencing any symptoms - major or minor.

While patients often under report and don't want to be a bother, that is what doctors are here for! If it is not concerning to his MD, he will be reassured and that is not a lot of effort on the MD's part. If it is of concern, the MD will want to know and can advise appropriately. Reporting early (even minor symptoms) is a win-win for ALL.

Please urge him to call, yet no need to panic!

Best!

[dnalex]

Re: Sudden pain in skull where lesion is located

by dnalex on Mon Aug 11, 2014 12:46 am

Fantastic post and advice, Dr. Landau.

Thank you!

[Eric Hofacket]

Re: Sudden pain in skull where lesion is located

by Eric Hofacket on Wed Aug 13, 2014 5:34 pm

Pootren,

I also do not like going in for every little pain, but a pain from known bone lesion area with sinus problems does not sound like just another pain.

I have learned that just because I have myeloma and an oncologist, that does not mean that he has replaced my GP and other doctors and is the first person I should see or contact for all my medical care.

Maybe a locally available ENT would be a better resource to address the sinus issue now rather than waiting to see the myeloma specialist who is over three hours away. ENTs know their way around the skull, it is their specialty. If the problem is the lesion I am sure the two would work together to address it. The myeloma specialist may just end up sending him to an ENT anyway.

For anything that is more than just a routine infection I always keep my oncologist informed of what is going on though. I am in an HMO, so all my doctors have access to my medical records electronically. It is easy for them to see what everyone else is doing.