How many of you suffer from headaches/migraines as well as memory loss?

2015-04-08T22:50:38-04:00

No...
I was not shot, struck by an EID, mortared...I didn't fall or hit my head to hard on something. I did form a "cystic" mass tho in the membrane (yes I make light of it) and it has caused me some major problems. Problems I didn't have fifteen years ago.

No I won't go and blame this on my military serviceservice, yet, (tho my arm was and I have yet to get anything from that, but I'm too proud to beg) but have noticed while talking to some of you that we have the same problems. There's no good way to ask other than WTF OVER?? Thoughts...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 10:53 PM

2015-04-08T22:53:41-04:00

Do what I told you to do...

Response by LTC John Shaw made Apr 8 at 2015 11:03 PM

2015-04-08T23:03:19-04:00

Yes, I am not the mentally the same as I was prior to my Afghanistan deployment. We were mainly on the receiving end of many attacks/rockets, over one hundred. I have much worse migraine headaches and much harder time with mental processing and being emotional/vocal.
I work in Software Engineering and always took pride in how productive I can be as a manager and a developer. I can move in and out of strategic level thinking to machine coding in seconds and visa-versa. It is much harder than it has ever been. The VA says they don't see it other than my logging and complaints, so no coverage for it.

Let's hope this stuff gets better over time...

Response by SSgt Joe V. made Apr 8 at 2015 11:10 PM

2015-04-08T23:10:08-04:00

As previously mentioned, since April 3, 2003, I have had almost daily headaches. Something about the mortar round hitting a few feet behind me/tank rounds cooking off five feet from my truck/Self inflicted TIC CAS...ETC. sometimes I have good weeks and it is only two or three. Sometimes it is one constant from Sunday to Saturday...coffee, red bull and excedrin...

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 8 at 2015 11:13 PM

2015-04-08T23:13:26-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member. I have had headaches pretty much every day since June 2007, when I sustained an IED blast/eye injury. Since then, the ophthalmologists and the neurologists have been arguing about what causes my headaches. One says my eye causes the headaches, the other says my head causes the eye pain and issues... Still, no resolution.

Aside from that incident, there were others.. mortars, rockets, and more IEDS... None of which help.

I have TBI, but luckily no memory loss... or as the Army and VA put it, no loss of function.

I am still being treated by both...

Oh and that is not the Dude... where's my car guy(s)... (memory)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1wuijgeaaY

Dude, Where's My Car (trailer)

BUY IT @ TLAVIDEO.COM Dude, Where's My Car 2000 Starring Ashton Kutcher, Seann William Scott, Jennifer Garner, Marla Sokoloff, Kristy Swanson

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Apr 8 at 2015 11:39 PM

2015-04-08T23:39:06-04:00

I'm also getting grey, fat, and telling those kids to get the heck off my lawn. I've looked all over the house for my keys when they were in the same hand I was holding my coffee with. Another morning my kids found my car keys in the freezer. After 50, we have an excuse to be silly and forgetful. At 60, we have an excuse to forget everything,.....except wearing clothes. At 70, we have an excuse to forget our clothes.

Response by SPC David Shaffer made Apr 9 at 2015 12:08 AM

2015-04-09T00:08:41-04:00

I always seem to have a migraine, memory loss, and forgetfulness. Mine is a combination of getting old, 4 children, stress, pain, and a severe traumatic brain injury though. I also want those darn kids to stay off my grass!

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 9 at 2015 7:52 AM

2015-04-09T07:52:36-04:00

I take 2 Topiramate (topamax) everyday as a management pill for Migraines, and Sumatriptan (Imitrex) as needed. I have been described as "meaner than a rattlesnake" when I am not on my meds.

I've been on them for a little over 9 years now. Had the Migraines for 20. They first started showing up shortly after bootcamp. Got worse over the years. Managed them with Caffeine, Tylonal, and Vitamin M.

Been arguing with the VA for 10~ years about it.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Apr 9 at 2015 10:56 AM

2015-04-09T10:56:23-04:00

When I was getting close to retirement, I did have my headaches looked into...and found out that "No, headaches all the time are not normal." After a LOT of testing...and I do mean a lot...they found...well it seems when it comes to headaches, they still don't have all the answers. I was told I have 'Phantom Headaches'. I think that is medicalese for, "We really believe you get headaches BUT we have no clue why?"

As for as memory loss, I can't remember any memory loss.

As for as memory loss, I can't remember any memory loss...did I already say that?

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 9 at 2015 2:27 PM

2015-04-09T14:27:39-04:00

I've had migraines ever since I had a small stroke when I was 23. Medical board said I was OK to stay in as the damage went away as the brain ran some extension cords around. They could be debilitating. It's part of my disability percentage. So after years of Imitrex etc. My last GP suggested taking magnesium daily. Studies haven't nailed down the mechanism on how it works yet nor a dosage. However since taking a pill out of a Costco bottle daily, the incidence and severity have been cut back around 90%. Most of the time I feel a migraine coming on but it very seldom gets there. That's been 4-5 years now. Some improvement is inherent in aging as the arteries get less flexible. It's the snap back piece that is the migraine and there is less to snap back, hence many people notice an improvement with age.

Response by SPC Angel Guma made Apr 9 at 2015 2:30 PM

2015-04-09T14:30:14-04:00

I've had some memory loss and definitely worsened sleep. I don't make light of it, because like you said, it wasn't like I was in daily, heavy combat. But human bodies sometimes are more robotic than what we would like to believe. The mind is a piece of machinery no different than a robotic arm at a factory. Some people are always going to have better memory than others, and for some unfortunate souls, the military lifestyle will take a toll on sleep and memory faster than others. Some people have minds that can take punishment and come out no worse for the wear, whereas other people in the same condition end up with insomnia. I wish the military and the broader medical community were willing to invest more time into this than what they say they do. If they did, early prevention efforts could make a huge difference, both in terms of quality of life and the financial return for the taxpayer.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 9 at 2015 10:07 PM

2015-04-09T22:07:35-04:00

Extreme memory loss. I will go to a room to get something and forget why I went to the room.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Apr 10 at 2015 10:24 AM

2015-04-10T10:24:31-04:00

I have had chronic migraines since returning from Desert Storm. Not much that can be done about it and I have tried just about everything and seen a slew of doctors. Just have to live with it.

No, I have not filed for VA disability, Gulf War Syndrome benefits, or anything else.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2015 3:08 PM

2015-04-10T15:08:23-04:00

Don't feel bad, Veronica. Save your headaches for in-laws. Here's something that'll hopefully cheer you up if you're starting to forget things...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wW-pVp7OZg

The "I forgot" song

good vid for people.. who FORGET things.. good ol' homemade music! Please Enjoy the Country Music! p.s i do not know the name of this guy

Response by PO2 Barry Baker made Apr 10 at 2015 3:34 PM

2015-04-10T15:34:58-04:00

I have a golf ball sized cyst in the rear right part of my brain. It is located inside the brain so neurosurgeons have said that they cannot operate. I have TBI and a history of multiple moderate to severe concussions. So basically I have had a headache since 2006.

My thoughts on your situation is if you go to a VSO like DAV and have them help you file for VA Disability you are NOT begging. I used to feel that way too. I had multiple injuries from my service and when I got out I never was given any TAP or transition program. I ended up at the VA hospital while admitted to a local hospital and the doctor transferred me there and demanded that I apply for benefits.
For the first couple years all I wanted was medical help. I did not care about money or anything like that. I just wanted the pain to go away. Over the years I have had issues with both the Detroit VA Hospital and Ann Arbor VA Hospital. (Sadly in my area there is a huge issue of abuse of medication and a heroin epidemic) and both VA hospitals are very against giving out pain medicine.

You deserve to live without constant pain. Just being a human you deserve to live a life without constant pain. The fact that you served means that there are benefits that you very well could be entitled to. It is not begging, there is no shame in being hurt and having medical problems. The only shame is if you do not get help due to misplaced pride.

I have dealt with life altering medical issues for about a decade now and I went through some of the feeling you seem to be going through. I know if I did not get help I most likely would have committed suicide. Thank God I got help and though I still deal with daily pain, my life is much better than it was than when I first got out.

Good luck to you because you deserve it.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Apr 10 at 2015 3:58 PM

2015-04-10T15:58:25-04:00

My heart aches for anyone who suffers from this. Dimentia is in the future. I have had relatives who have suffered from Alzheimer's Disease, and seeing the soul die before the body is heart wrenching for everyone. I pray that they find a cure.

Response by SPC Jesse Bruno made Apr 10 at 2015 4:41 PM

2015-04-10T16:41:32-04:00

i think the better question would be is there anyone who dose not. wait what was the question? lol

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Apr 22 at 2015 4:50 PM

2015-04-22T16:50:24-04:00

I am old, fat and gray with a myriad of health problems to include severe headaches and occasional memory loss. No idea what causes these problems and the VA is little to no help in figuring out the problems. So for now I deal with them by taking Ibuprofen and the other meds prescribed for me. Hmm, I wonder if that could be a contributing factor? So as the youth of today are fond of saying "it is what it is." Life goes on.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 22 at 2015 5:11 PM

2015-04-22T17:11:49-04:00

I experience immense memory loss. I will walk into a room forget why I did that. When I work out I will often go 1,2,3,-10, 20, 21.