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View Full Version : "Thunderclap" Headache: A Health Advisory



Bailey Guns
11-16-2018, 08:31
So I was sitting at my desk yesterday morning about 0630 and outta the blue this excruciatingly painful and instantaneous headache hits me...like someone flipped a switch. No build up, no warning...just BAM! Ranked right up there with the absolute worst pain I've ever had. Maybe not a "10" but a solid 9.5 on the pain scale. Thankfully it only lasted about a minute, give or take, before it started to subside. No other symptoms. I laid down for a few mins and it settled down to just a background type of headache...you know it's there but it's not too bad. Stayed that way for most of the day and I worked my shift without any real issues. Mostly just an annoying headache.

Mrs BG, the nurse, comes home and I mention it to her. She gives me "the look" that says I'm a total moron. We look it up and discover "Thunderclap" headaches are a thing and can be a sign of stroke, brain bleeds, other neuro issues and even really crappy stuff like meningitis. So I spent most of the night in the ER. CT scan was clear and blood work (at least for the things they tested) was normal.

I feel mostly fine this morning...just a little worn out from too little sleep.

I don't have a history of migraines or anything like that. Only the occasional, run-of-the-mill headache that everyone gets on occasion.

So...if this ever happens to you, it can be VERY serious and even life-threatening. Don't be a dumbass like me and wait 12 hours before seeing a doctor. Besides possibly saving your life you'll at least avoid "the look". It feels like a MEGA SUPER JUMBO brain freeze headache and comes on instantly. Mine wasn't but they can typically be accompanied by nausea, vomiting or vision issues.

https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/thunderclap-headaches#1

gnihcraes
11-16-2018, 08:38
Mine was a bleed, stroke. Sucked big time.

Hope you don't get that.

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wctriumph
11-16-2018, 09:18
Thanks for the PSA. As I get older I do think of these issues. Never had a headache like yours and headaches are rare for me anyway.

Hope you never have another one.

Fentonite
11-16-2018, 09:29
Did they do a spinal tap/ lumbar puncture?

Bailey Guns
11-16-2018, 09:47
Did they do a spinal tap/ lumbar puncture?

No.

BushMasterBoy
11-16-2018, 13:54
I have had them last for 7-8 hours. I got radioactive beryllium oxide up in my sinus. The headaches are the most painful thing ever. Now the VA doctor wants to stop the pills. I hate that dumbass.

Skip
11-16-2018, 14:17
I'm happy it wasn't serious and you're resting up!

bczandm
11-16-2018, 14:31
Actually that’s very good info and appreciated!

OtterbatHellcat
11-16-2018, 15:10
Bailey, your scenario matches up with one I had three or so years ago. Right down to the CT scan and all that, and they didn't find anything causing it.

Weirdest damn thing for sure, and it hasn't happened since. I was 48 at the time.