[22F] Experiencing severe migraines with light sensitivity and numbness

What might be happening

Based on your symptoms, the following conditions could be possible:

• Migraine: This is a type of headache characterized by severe, throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head. It is often accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting. The numbness you described could be part of what is known as an 'aura', which some people experience before a migraine attack.

  • Treatment typically involves medications to stop symptoms and prevent future attacks. These could include pain-relieving medications, triptans, ergots, anti-nausea drugs, and preventive medications.

• Medication Overuse Headache: Overuse of pain relief medication, such as Excedrin Migraine, can lead to a dull, constant headache that's often worse in the morning.

  • Treatment involves reducing or stopping the medication that's causing these headaches. Your doctor can provide guidance on how to safely do this.

• Cluster Headache: These are severe headaches that occur in clusters or cyclical patterns. They are characterized by sudden, burning, and piercing pain on one side of the head, often around the eye.

  • Treatment typically involves medications to decrease the severity of the cluster headache, as well as preventive medications.

• Tension Headache: This is the most common type of headache, and it causes a constant ache or pressure around the head, temples, or back of the head and neck.

  • Treatment typically involves pain-relieving medications.

• Sinusitis: This is an inflammation of the sinuses that can cause headaches, facial pain, and pressure. Your mention of pain behind the eyebrows could be related to this.

  • Treatment typically involves antibiotics, nasal decongestants, and pain relievers.

Please note that these are possibilities based on the symptoms you've described, and a healthcare professional would need to evaluate you to make a definitive diagnosis.

What you can do

1. Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms. They may want to adjust your current medications or prescribe new ones to help manage your headaches.
2. Try to identify any triggers for your headaches, such as stress, certain foods, or lack of sleep, and avoid them if possible.
3. Practice good sleep hygiene, as poor sleep can contribute to headaches.
4. Stay hydrated and maintain a healthy diet.
5. Try relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, yoga, or meditation, to help manage stress and reduce the frequency of headaches.
6. Limit the use of over-the-counter pain relief medications to avoid medication overuse headaches.

What you should look out for

Please seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

• A sudden, severe headache like a thunderclap
• Headache with a fever, stiff neck, mental confusion, seizures, double vision, weakness, numbness, or speaking difficulties
• Headache after a head injury, especially if the headache gets worse
• A chronic headache that is worse in the morning
• An abrupt, severe headache
• Headache with shortness of breath

Remember, I'm an AI and this advice is based on the information you've provided. It's always important to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.