A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Migraine Question

Posted: Apr 9, 2014

We have a friend who is quite the hypochondriac, seriously, bonafide, text. I do think some of his things are legit, but he takes things too far. The latest is a migraine headache. He's 63 years old, and supposedly now has migraines which he never had before. Two things: 1) Is it possible to never have had migraines, then later on in life developing them? 2) This "migraine" has lasted over 3 months, all day, all night, every day. Is that possible? I have no intention of questioning this guy or anything, I'm just curious for myself. My husband and I are trying to be sympathetic to all his ails, without going overboard.;

I developed them along with a cervical disk - problem..

[ In Reply To ..]
and with that ruptured disk and no doctor that would operate, had them pretty much every day to some extent for almost 5 years until I finally sought another neurosurgery opinion and had my disk replaced..Soooo,,,could happen

So, they were true - Migraines?

[ In Reply To ..]
So, is that considered a true migraine, or just (not minimizing!) a nasty headache?

So, far I haven't heard him complaining of cervical spine trouble.

Re: Migraines - Former Sufferer

[ In Reply To ..]
There are many types and intensities of migraines. Yes, it's possible to start getting them at 63, though not too common. His age, and the duration (you said months?) would lead me to believe there could be something else going on, such as a brain tumor. Since he's a male, cluster headaches could be the problem, as well.

The intensity can vary from dull and continuous, whereby the sufferer can still function in daily life, and grow used to them - to intense and debilitating pain. Men tend to be more hypochondriacal in nature, with far less of a pain threshold than women, so regardless of what type the headache is, or the intensity, he may be truly feeling it more than a woman might.

Regardless, I hope he goes and gets his symptoms checked out. My migraines pretty much ended after menopause, but sometimes they can start around that age, too. It just varies with the individual. Most of the time migraines last for 1-3 days, though often one can still feel out-of-it or woozy for a day or so after the pain has ended. If he's been having frequent repeats of 1-3 day headaches for 3 months, especially if they're one-sided, that would sound like classic migraines to me. But if it's continuous pain for three months, he should probably go see his doctor pronto.

I also have had a brain tumor. Although the pain from it came on suddenly, when a tiny blood vessel inside the tumor ruptured, from that point on the pain was continuous, though not excruciating, for the next three weeks, until I had the tumor surgically removed.

Anyway, whether you tend to believe him or not, I hope you can convince him to get checked out by a doctor, and soon.

Thanks - OP

[ In Reply To ..]
He did indeed see a doctor and had a CT scan, and was hoping for an MRI as well. I don't think the insurance will pay for the MRI.

I think I'm only suspect because of the duration of the migraine (the 24/7 for months). If this was someone else, I would certainly just take it at face value and not question it.

We never say a word to him about when we don't really believe him.

Headache = "migraine" now - Have them

[ In Reply To ..]
People used to say they had a headache, but now everyone calls them migraines. They just don't know the difference.

Yes, you can develop migraines at any age. But I doubt he did.

I doubt he could have had one for 3 months and still be able to stand around yakking to you about it, too. They are often quite incapacitating. They aren't "just headaches." The pain can freeze you immobile for hours. Nausea, vomiting, photophobia, sonophobia, and a host of other foul symptoms go along with them.

He could be having a headache from muscle stiffness in his neck or blood pressure. I know someone who developed headaches suddenly and they were due to urinary tract obstruction from his prostate that resulted in severely elevated BP. He had no idea.

I would just tsk sympathetically and tell him flat out that he needs to see a doctor for symptoms like that. Just repeat it every time he brings it up.

Yup - OP

[ In Reply To ..]
The thing with this guy is that he knows how to "play it up," but he goes too far. By that I mean, with this latest ailment, he is walking around the inside of the house with sunglasses on and talking very softly, because I'm sure he's researched about photophobia and sonophobia. It's just too "too" for us to believe this one.

I seriously am NOT minimizing what a migraine sufferer goes through, I just don't really think he's having migraines.

And you're right--I know people who call a bad headache a migraine. I don't have migraines, but the term does get overused by the general public, which must drive people nuts who really have migraines.

Thanks for the input.

Migraines - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
I agree with the above poster. Any head pain that comes on suddenly and continues should be checked out immediately,especially if they also have components of a stroke.
I also agree with the way "migraine" gets tossed around. I suffered for years and it can be menstrually related in women. Mine actually stop now if I use a nasal spray. Must be the steroid in it. I've seen so many people who go around complaining they have a migraine. If you've ever had a migraine you know that anyone walking around and talking and complaining about it is NOT having a migraine - they're having a really bad headache. Migraines are severe, debilitating and excrutiatingly painful. So painful that moving is almost impossible from the pain, light is extremely painful as is noise. Vomiting can go with it and at one point I had one coming on that was severe I became disoriented trying to drive 15 minutes home before it got to it's worst. This was route I had taken for 20 years. If your friend like to complain about constant ailments he'll do it for this too. Some people like the attention they get from complaining about not feeling well all the time. A true migraine makes you want an ER to do ANYTHING to make it stop and I mean I have said knock me out or lop off my head, it makes no difference. The poster above is right I would just say go see a doctor and change the subject.

So true! Migraines are the main reason I don't - keep a gun in the house. (N/M)

[ In Reply To ..]

Brain bleed - sm - Angie

[ In Reply To ..]
I was once diagnosed with a "migraine" which was actually a ruptured brain aneurysm. I was in my 40's was having the worst headache of my life with no history of migraines. The doctor on call did not authorize a visit to the ER. Brain hemorrhages can coagulate slowing down the blood so you can still be conscious and take care of ADL, but with a lot of pain and fatigue. Mine coagulated partially then re-ruptured after 2 weeks.

From OP - Question

[ In Reply To ..]
Would this show up on a CT scan? He's had the CT scan, and they are fighting with the insurance company for approval for an MRI.

Question for you - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
If you know this guy is a hyochondriac, why are you continuing to involve yourself in his issues?

The insurance company is denying the MRI because he doesn't need an MRI. There is no medical necessity for it.

People with migraines and cerebral hemorrhages don't prowl around wearing sunglasses and speaking softly. Emotionally disturbed people who want attention do that.

If you tolerate and facilitate that behavior by letting him in your house to do it and investigating his options for him, you are feeding into his dysfunctional behavior.

When we suggested saying "You should see your doctor" we meant it. Cut him off before he has a chance to get started. Don't listen, don't check out his symptoms, don't suggest more. Don't let him be around you if he is engaging in the sick-act.

If you enjoy participating in his drama, that's another story, but we got the impression that you didn't.

From OP - Huh?

[ In Reply To ..]
First of all, who said he was in our house? It's an old childhood friend of my husband's, and my husband hasn't even talked to him. I have, but only briefly on the phone. His wife and I are friends, and I'm just trying to get information for myself. I already said that I have no intention of doing anything with the information, except whether or not to take him seriously in my own mind. It's one of those sticky-wicks of the boy who cried wolf. He actually had a heart attack one time, and we didn't believe him until we went to visit him in the hospital.

I think in my very first note, I said that he had had a CT scan for this headache, which means he saw a doctor, and this was before I knew about the headaches. I totally agree about the MRI--I'm quite certain that the insurance company does not deem an MRI necessary.

I also said it seemed odd to me that a person with "migraine" would have it for months on end, 24/7, and that wearing glasses and talking softly seemed very odd to me, but I wanted to have my facts straight before I went and gave him a lot of sympathy. I am very clear on faking illnesses is attention-seeking, and I and my husband do not give him that attention when I know he's "faking." I do like to make sure he's faking, though, before I don't give him sympathy.

Thanks everyone for the information. My instincts were correct here.

Similar Messages:

Jul 15, 2010
They're so strange! The first one i had back in the '80s scared me to death... thought I was stroking out. Still, I sure prefer them to the regular headache-kind of migraine, which last about a day or two. These only last about 30 minutes, though they still make me feel kind of woozy. Starts out as a little flashing light in the center of my vision, then it grows larger and larger into a "C" shape, made up of flashing, revolving triangle shapes. & ...

Sep 20, 2011
They actually started a couple of years ago. She gets them once in a while. I'd say she probably gets one every three months or so. They are pretty severe, make her cry. I've taken her to the ER before where she has had a CAT scan that was completely normal which prompted the diagnosis of migraines. So now I've been watching her for possible triggers. I get migraines occasional, but mine are completely hormonal and always happen around my period ...

May 05, 2011
The facts of Pat Tillman's death were manipulated and Jessica Lynch was molded into a hero by the Dubya's message massagers. Now many question every bit of information coming from government. The damage done by dimbulb Dubya just keeps on reverberating. ...

Dec 03, 2011
I am making a blueberry pie to take to my stepfather tomorrow, and I thought it would like nice to use a cookie cutter in the shape of a bell and apply that piece of crust to the top of the pie. If I use a little bit of water to attach it, will it bake to the top crust securely? A lot of you sound like you are pretty handy in the kitchen! The lemon sponge pie I made for Thanksgiving was wonderful. Thanks to the person who suggested the allrecipes.com webs ...

Feb 10, 2010
I'm always facinated at some people who think all social problems and situations are so black and white.Abortion is here to stay, whether it's legal or not, just like it's always been an option when a woman finds herself facing the impossible situation of an unwanted pregnancy. Wishing it wasn't an option has never worked.However, when a discussion comes up about abortion, we women are strictly divided. Black and White in our opinions.This is a complicated issue. It doesn ...

Aug 05, 2011
Don't know if you remember my last posts awhile back about a stray cat we started feeding and took care, gave her shelter for the winter and she had kittens. We've taken the kittens in and adore them all. Now...here she is 3 or 4 months later, every once in awhile I'll get a glimpse of her nursing them. Vet told us milk has to be dried up before they can fix her. However, she is a stray and she has been going out walking around the neighborhood like she has ...

Mar 18, 2010
I have not found this yet and wonder if others have. People who are unemployed. No pension from a company, no nothing. What kind of health insurance will they get. My partner is unemployed. If this passes I will cover myself. What is out there (or in the bill) for people who are unemployed. He is not old enough to receive Medicare/cade. ...

Mar 22, 2010
Okay, here is a question that I have not seen come up here. While watching news today this just crossed my mind. If the government sets an insurance rate you have to pay based upon what you make per year, do they take into account all your other bills, and that sometimes as ICs we don't get any work coming in at times, and then what they set is more than what you can afford (i.e. more money than your paycheck and you still have to pay all your bills). As ICs I'm sure ...

Mar 31, 2010
Thought O and Biden were against oil drilling? Dylan Ratigan just had a snippet on from O stating to that effect. Now he opens up offshore drilling? ...

Apr 29, 2010
To anyone who has any knowledge of Social Security benefits, I am wondering if an ex-spouse of a male veteran who has passed away can obtain "survivor benefits" (?) from Social Security if she has his children...even though he had been remarried at the time of his demise?? Children are all over 21. I have heard that there is something like this and if so, how would I go about obtaining it? thanks in advance for anyone's help. ...

Jun 23, 2011
Due to huge fibroids, bilateral ovarian cysts, and a myriad of symptoms, I've been told I need a TAH. Doctor tells me I'll be out of work 6 weeks but as I'm an MT and just sit at my desk anyway, I don't see a 6-week absence as being necessary. Has anyone here had a TAH as an MT or with a desk job and how long was it necessary for you to be off work? ...

Jun 06, 2012
One of my 2yo males has a cyst on the side of his head. I just noticed it this morning, it's about the size of a golfball and underneath his ear. Its not in his mouth. He is eating and drinking fine, doesn't seem to be in any pain. How could it have gotten this big without me seeing it? Anybody have any experience with these? I called the vet and waiting for a call back. I did some research and found out it is most likely benign, soft ...

Jun 13, 2012
...

Jul 01, 2012
How many would like to see the party titles go away? I've read about some ideas that people have, but they are not linked to any political party. My question is if someone had an idea that would help people get jobs, get the economy back in order and other good things for the people and the country, would you vote for them if they were not in your party? ...

Jul 31, 2012
This may sound like a stupid question and please do not flame me for my ignorance, but I am trying to learn and trying to make my political decision making count for something. so here is my question..... If a potential presidential candidate withdrew his intent to run for the presidency earlier in the year, can that potential candidate still be placed on a "write in vote?" Or does the person we want to use for a write in vote have to still be "running for president?" reason ...

Sep 02, 2012
Does anyone know if the pink Dancing Vaginas are going to put on a performance? I was kind of thinking they might put in an appearance the same night as Sandra Fluck, or has she been ousted? I didn't see her name on the last guest list. ...

Apr 11, 2013
Just curious about a couple of opinions. First of all, I like to tan. I know the health risks, etc., but I enjoy the way the sun makes me feel and I enjoy my skin with a tan. We just recently moved to "town" into a neighborhood. I live in a small area. I have a fenced in backyard and the neighbor is pretty close and their yard is also fenced in with a separate fence, not even joining mine. So, yesterday, beautiful day, I decide to lay out in the sun. I park m ...

Nov 19, 2013
Hi everyone, I absolutely love Swarovski Crystal, in particular their earrings. I have a couple of pairs that I paid full price for, but they are too expensive. (Earrings run from $60-$300+.) I saw that E-Bay has a really nice selection, and you can just do a Buy Now for way under market price--I'm not into the bidding thing, BTW. Thing is, how do I REALLY know it's Swarovski? Some of their jewelry is signed, and some of those posts say so, but not all their jewelry is signed ...

Jan 11, 2014
The new question on this years tax return is: "Do you have health insurance". They will use your response in determining who to assess penalties to for noncompliance of the UNCONSTITUTIONAL Obamacare Law. ...

Mar 15, 2014
I received an unsolicited quote from Ameriprise via Costco. They state that I can save up to $550 per year on the two policies. My question is does anyone have auto and/or home insurance through Ameriprise? If so, do you have a good or bad opinion of them? Thank you for responding. ...

May 02, 2014
This has probably been asked before...can't remember...but here goes: If your employer offers insurance, are you ineligible for obtaining insurance on the marketplace? Is this a state-by-state issue? I've just been advised that I can decline company insurance and just go to the marketplace instead, but I'm not sure that's true. ...

Jan 22, 2017
I have an insurance Marketplace question. If my income turns out to be higher than expected for 2017, will I have to pay a penalty? I know I will have to pay the taxes that would be owed, but is there anything on top of that? I also know it would be significant enough to change my monthly insurance premiums to a higher amount. It's a long story, but something got screwed up and I think I'll owe the taxes---I just don't want a penalty. ...

Dec 12, 2016
Was the post moved regarding the comparison between Hitler and Trump? I thought it was an interesting article but didn't get a chance to finish it. When I came back, it was gone. I looked on the main board and the gab board to see if you moved it, though I thought it was political. Maybe I'm losing my sight but I can't find it. Certainly it couldn't have been removed since there are so many hate-hillary articles left on here. Hope I' ...

May 06, 2015
Has anyone had a kitty diagnosed with hyperthyroidism? Did methimazole (prescribed by vet) give him/her a new lease on life? I thought my cat was just old and lazy and come to find he has this. Thanks for sharing! ...

Jun 01, 2015
My family and I are selling our house and moving out of state, but our house is going to sell before we actually move, so we have to rent a house for about 6 months. So, I went to look at a house over the weekend and was amazed! For $1300 a month, it was a 3 bedroom house, very old, and a total wreck. I mean, dirt everywhere (did they ever clean??), cats roaming and the smell! Just amazing what a dump it was, which is a shame because it could be a gorgeous house. So ...

Jun 15, 2017
have? ...

Feb 23, 2012
Our cat is about 7 yrs old. She's not eating so well, but she's still playing, drinkinig H2O, and hitting the litterbox. She's also still jumping up on the bed and couch to lie on me. Should I be worried? ...

Feb 21, 2012
Do you get your pets spayed/neutered, or is that against doctrine, too? Yes, a bit of a stretch, but post pet owners consider a pet part of the family, so should we let pets breed, well (sorry) but, like rabbits? Also, where do you draw the line in separation of church and state? Yes, I fully understand the 1st Amendmant, but it is intended to cover individuals from persecution based on their religious belief, not corporations funded w/ taxpayer dollars, and face it, if a hospital o ...

Feb 19, 2012
are people thinking? What is the deal with some people getting their posts always liked and commented on and others completely ignored? If I was not hooked on Castleville, I would completely give it up!! ...

Feb 10, 2012
I had to go to the doctor, and clinic is located in very small rural town (ie, pop 500). This time I saw the PA and happened to ask him a nonrelated question about bio-identical hormones. To my surprise, he had never heard of them. I let him off the hook easy of course, but it just seems to me, if you have basic med training, or even just read the newspapers or watch TV, you may have at least heard of this subject. What do you think, am I expecting too much? ...