I need advice

[Scotty]

10 hours ago my usually stoical husband complained of very sudden onset of the most severe headache he has ever had in his life. He does not usually get headaches, and has had none recently. He took paracetamol/ acetaminophen. After half an hour there was no relief from the pain whatsoever and he had said to me ten times "I've never had a headache like this in my life." I took him to the emergency department. The doc sent him home with ibuprofen saying it is probably a tension headache. His temp, pulse and BP were normal.

The pain is now a litte worse despite regular ibuprofen (He normally won't take pills). He is photophobic and has neck pain. He is lying in a darkened room. Temp is still normal. He is obviously still GCS 15 with no obvious neuro deficits, or I wouldn't be on the internet! Should I take him back to the hospital and make noises about a head CT scan and possibly LP or am I just being a neurotic pain in the derriere?

[redshiloh]

You know what scares me is that so many people wouldn't have questioned the first ER docs judgement. But I don't have a solution either.

Good job Scotty, your husband owes you SO big for christmas!

[sanakruz, ADN]

Whoa !

best wishes and keep us posted. :kiss

[deadend]

Hello Scotti

Thank God you took your hubby back!!!!!! Several weeks ago I to had the worst headache of my life, (not used to headaches) Went to my regular Doc and he looked into my eyes and ears and said "i don't see anything, but you are already taking antibiotics" The headaches persisted they felt like stabbing pains in the back of my head. I went to the ER several days later and the ER Doc took a CT scna and offered a lumbar puncture which I declined the lumbar puncture after he said (your rt ear does look kind of funny, Now this is a doctor telling me something looks funny) He started me on another AB and I have been feeling much better however I am wondering if I made the mistake of not taking the lunbar puncture) Oh by the way he also said "you know how dangerous a LP can be" How encouraging!!!! as if he did not want me to take it. I completed the AB yeasterday but if the headaches return I will be right back there demanding every test in the book. we have to take care of ourselves. I never tell hospital/clinic/ER staff that I am a nurse they assume you know everything they do and they either go overboard with info or they leave out info. I hope your hubby continues to do well, I know he thanks God every day for you.

[lovewhatIdo]

Scotty-

Just one more nurse that is so happy that you took your hubby in. Scarry! Don't forget to take care of yourself in the middle of all of this.

:)

[angelbear]

Dear Scotty, you truely are a hero. Best wishes to you and your hubby.

[bluesky, BSN, RN]

Hero and an Angel. Good for you Scotty!

[kids]

Originally posted by Scotty

He's still doing well. Thanks so much for your support. He thinks the staff in the hospital are wonderful and he's tickled pink that nurses from all over the world are wishing him well.

More thoughts & prayers for you and your family. Great call on taking him back to the hospital. If you hadn't he would be a statistic.

Be sure to print out the posts. When my grandson was born last January with an unexpected heart defect. The good wishes and support *we* got here was incredible. I printed the posts for his parents and they are a perminent part of his notebook.

[nursepenny]

My youngest sister had "the worst headache ever" a few years ago. She was 31 @ the time. Turned out to be a cerebral aneurysm. they were treating her for the flu. Thank God she went to the ER and a doc there decided to do a CT. A week later, she had surg and is now dioing fine. ( they had to wait a week because her brain was in spasms).

Any one can count the seeds in an apple. Only God can count the apples in a seed, Anon.

[Scotty]

He's out of hospital now. :)

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by Scotty

He's out of hospital now. :)

Glad he's home. Best wishes to you and you're family.