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The slightest change in pressure
Posted on March 12th, 2010 5 commentsThe merry month of March has come in like a lamb here in Minnesota. Winter has been long and snow-filled. Longer, warmer days are a welcome change. But I know that the lamb will leave and the lion will roar. I also know that those of us with brain aneurysms will feel that feline’s bite.
The fact is, changes in weather can hurt. My aneurysms have been surgically fixed, but barometric pressure fluctuations seem to change the intracranial pressure in my brain.
Have you seen those fluid-filled, decorative barometers? As the outside air pressure changes, the fluid in the tube rises or falls. I figure that’s what happens inside our heads, too.
A couple months ago, as I was reading the St. Paul Pioneer Press, I noticed a Q & A medical column. The reader’s question: “A cold front came in and I had head/face pressure. What is that all about?”
The doctor’s answer was that weather changes can trigger migraine headaches as well as pain in arthritic joints. He speculated that a difference in the body’s internal pressure and the outside barometric pressure was the reason.
So I asked members of my support group at the National Brain Aneurysm Center whether they noticed weather-related problems. EVERYONE did. Responses ranged from “feeling fuzzy” to feeling tired and fatigued. Those of us who had undergone open craniotomies noticed something even more bizarre. As the weather changes, the skull bones that have knit back together after surgery actually dent in or out.
My husband is a prove-it-to-me kind of guy. Whenever I comment that the weather must be changing, he says, “Let’s see your dent.” I brush the hair away from my forehead, he studies a spot just beneath the hairline and affirms my prediction. The fact is, there are days when that spot is completely flat and looks no different than any other place on my forehead. Then there are days when it is so dented it looks like someone shot me with a gun.
Spring is here at last. Some days will be filled with lambs. Others will be tormented by lions. If you want to know what the day will bring, forget about forecasts from high-priced television meteorologists. Instead, ask a walking, talking barometer. Ask a brain aneurysm survivor.
5 responses to “The slightest change in pressure”
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LOL….
really understood this one!I have so many dents in my forehead!!
And also have noticed with the changes of seasons.
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Barbara April 15th, 2010 at 10:26
At first I thought I was imagining the “dent” changes. But no, my dents come and go with the weather (season transitions, too, now that you mention it). Have you found any tricks for dealing with “dent days?”
Take care,
Barbara -
Marion April 22nd, 2010 at 16:35
LOL…
no tricks, but good question.We wear our hair about the same….
I have short hair and wear my bangs more over my forehead on those days.Marion
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I have 5 aneurysms, the doctor calls them mirror aneurysms, I have 3 on the right and 2 on the left. I too experience pain when the weather changes. Especially when the barometric pressure goes up. My surgery was through the groin and neck. I also get very tired after an episode of pain. I never knew there was a website for people like us. It also feels good to know that I’m not alone with this problem, not that I wish this on anybody, but unless you know someone else with this problem and I don’t it’s nice to know I can talk to others who have aneurysms and how they have dealt with them and the after effects that come with it. Thanks.
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Barbara April 27th, 2010 at 11:23
Last fall, (season’s were changing) I finally summoned the courage to ask other brain aneurysm survivors about how the weather impacted their lives. Honestly, I don’t know why it took me so long to ask. But I felt extremely relieved to discover that I was not alone. Any swift pressure change, up or down, seems to give all of us fuzzy thinking, “dents,” headache and/or fatigue. Once the rise or drop is finished most of ache goes away and fatigue-hangover set in. Everyone is different. For me, low pressure seems to be my worst enemy and creates my largest “dents” and longest-lasting fatigue. What I hate most is canceling plans at the last minute just because the barometric pressure is not to my brain’s liking. Do you change your plans or grit through it? I’m curious…
Barbara
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Marion April 13th, 2010 at 18:13