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What Causes Intermittent Forgetfulness Of Words And Severe Headache?

Posted on Tue, 19 Jan 2016

Question: I was xc skiing and trying to think of a word - had no loss of balance or other signs of stroke but just couldn't remember a word or if it was the right word - later I had a very bad headache

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Is your headache persisting?

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.

I understand your concerns and I'd surely like to answer them at best but I need to know some extra details beforehand-
1)How much time back did this event occur?
2)Is your headache persisting till now?If not,in how much time did it improve?
3)Is your word finding difficulty persisting or has it improved?If improved,then how much time did it take to improve?
4)Do you have any other past disease history like Diabetes,Hypertension,Stroke or Heart disease?

I shall be glad to have you in follow-up with details.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (1 hour later)

Hi,

Word problem lasted about 20 min - felt a bit strange but seemed to be able to communicate and think properly - went out with friends could talk etc

A few hours later headache began - lasted all night - took advil and it got better

now feel fine except tired

also I was cold last night

I was in a car accident - lost consciousness for maybe 15 sec - mid july

have had neck pain and headaches on and off since

also don't know if it is connected but blood tests showed high TSH am getting retested end of month

thanks XXXXXXX

HI

I have not got a reply from my second post

thanks XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Possibly physiological.Needs observation.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up and providing further details.

THe symptoms you have mentioned are probably physiological and non-specific. Needs to be observed if similar event occurs again. Talking of organic causes, transient ischemic attack can cause neurological deficits which can completely recover within a short time.But then, they are unlikely to present with only word finding difficulty.Headache,which followed might not be associated and nor,it appears that high TSH has a bearing on these symptoms.

I suggest you to do regular mental relaxation exercises like meditation/yoga and if the symptoms occur again,then to get examined by a neurologist.You may need to undergo a brain imaging study done,in that case.

If you have some further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (15 hours later)

HI Thanks,

I will take your advice

I was rear ended in early July - knocked unconscious for about 15 sec

I have had stiff neck and back since and am getting physio.

About 2 years ago I was getting numb fingers on long bike rides -this stopped when I got a bike with shocks and padded grips.

Two days after my accident I started to get numbness in fingers then pain at night - it continued getting worse - I had a carpal tunnel release two weeks ago that seems to have been very successful. Could the accident have triggered carpal tunnel?

Just recently I got blood tests with high TSH - I am to go back this month for a retest - could the concussion/whiplash have caused low thyroid?

thanks
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not likely.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up.

I have gone through your further details,as mentioned.However, it is unlikely that accident has resulted in carpal tunnel syndrome.Likewise, it is unlikely that concussion/whiplash is the cause of high TSH.

On the other hand,high TSH(Hypothyroidism) can be contributing to carpal tunnel syndrome.

Hope that I have answered your query.If you have some further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up else please close the thread,rate it and write a review.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar