Headaches

[Gwynhubhome]

Hello, this is the first time I've posted though I have followed this site for some time and find it very comforting. I was diagnosed two years ago with secondary breast cancer in the bones 30 years after my initial mastectomy. I am on Ibrance and Letrozole and am currently stable with manageable side effects. For the past month or so I have had an almost constant headache and wonder if anyone else has had this problem and can help me find a reason for it. I have had a CT brain scan which was clear and the skull mets are stable. The oncology team don't seem to have any suggestions and I don't want to bother them further just before Christmas but I am finding it very debilitating and depressing. Gwynth

[Hidden]

Hi Gwynth,

Welcome to this site. It's lovely to have you with us.

It's good news that the CT scan on your brain showed that you are stable, so you can rule out any further metastases in your skull. But that still doesn't explain the headaches you are experiencing.

I would get on the phone to your medical team and make an urgent appointment. Do you have an emergency number where you can contact the oncology nurses? I do and used it once. It's there for situations like this, especially as you said that the pain is debilitating.

Don't feel that you are being a bother. You're not. You just need some answers and relief from your symptoms.

Take care,

Sophie 💐

[Red71]

Have you tried taking an over the counter allergy medication ? It seems to help some people with their side effects so it might possibly help your headaches. When I was on Ibrance I got a stuffy head with occasional headache. Allergy pills and occasional Sudafed was a great help. Good luck, it’s no fun having constant headaches.

[Beryl71]

My situation was similar to yours in timescale although I'm not quite a year into treatment. I've not had headaches. But I think you should bother them if you can't get relief. Take care. Carolynx

[8576]

Glad you have joined us. You are so typical. Don't want to bother anyone! Only this time it is wrong. You have a serious illness and you need help.

You really should call your oncologist. They can detect what is causing the headache and give you some relief. Don't go through the holidays with that feeling. Not necessary. The doctors and nurses are there for you.

Wishing you well and a happy holiday.

Cheers, June S.

[queeneee]

Its probably too obvious.. but are you dehydrated ? Easy to happen in winter and pills don't help

[kearnan in reply to queeneee]

It is so true. At one point I was having headaches and not feeling well, and I was asked how much water I was drinking per day and it hit me like a bowling ball. I thought OMG...I barely drink hardly any water and ONLY when I had to take medication. Other than that, I never drank any extra water. I started drinking more water (had to start off slow) and by God, I felt so much better. So sometimes it is the obvious.

[Thatflowerlady]

Never hurts to call your oncologist office / treatment centre especially before the holidays . I would also try to increase your water intake if you haven’t already . Luann

[Julie2233]

I would contact your oncology team in the first instance, but if they can’t identify the issue have you looked into other reasons for the headaches? 2 years ago I developed severe headaches. A brain scan gave me the all clear. I contacted my local osteopath and was given details of a diagnostic website for headaches, sorry can’t remember the name of the website but it was a charity like Mind. I followed a flow questionnaire and it suggestion that my headaches were due to muscular tension.

I booked an appointment with the osteopath who found an issue with tension in my neck which she though was related to recent dental work I’d had. She worked on my neck and I returned to my dentist who did some remedial work to improve my bite, and the headaches went.

Not all problems are related to cancer - we still get all the other issues that other people have.

[Pbsoup]

I had headaches and it is a common Ibrance side effect. I second the person who mentioned dehydration. Another Ibrance side effect. My doctor has me drinking a lot of water. And when I exercise suggested I add electrolyte tablets. There is a brand called Nuum that you can drop in a water bottle and carry with you. They’re quite tasty.

Anyway this helped the headaches.

That said it’s perfectly fine to call your doctor. You are not a bother. There are very few spaces in life where it’s all about “you”. You’re oncology office is one of them.

[hopenowandtomorrow in reply to Pbsoup]

I agree with trying more water & electrolytes to see if that helps. Then call ☎️ your oncologist if it doesn’t. ❤️🙏❤️

[gindifox]

Ibrance triggers migraines for me. When I have taken an Ibrance holiday, my migraines greatly clear up.