Docs, tell me about intracranial hemorrhages
 

Bumped my head last Tuesday, been getting increased pain and pressure. I was also taking motrin. Went to my doctor today and he ordered a CT scan of my brain and thinks it might be an ICH. The problem/my complaint is the insurance approval process. The place he ordered the CT has to get an authorization, even though he marked it "stat" and head trauma is a serious thing. If it's so damn serious why couldn't they easily get an authorization. Why do they not have an office open to support west-coast hours?! It's ridiculous. My doctor and the imaging place both say to go to the ER if it's not any better by tomorrow. They'll rush the CT scan and give me info quickly, it just won't be cheap.

Rant aside... What am I looking at here? WebMD pretty much tells me a fart to a headache means cancer, most everything else is just explaining what an ICH is. Thanks.

It's your health. Full Stop. I'd be at the ER now and let the insurance sort itself out later. Take care.

That you're posting here almost a week after the injury is a good sign. If you had a worsening ICH or subdural bleed, you likely wouldn't be wondering about it...you might not be wondering period.

After that, your symptoms should be your guide. If you think you're in trouble, you need to go to the ED where you may well get CT'd.

My mother died of one. I'd just get it looked at and work about the who pays for it side of things later.

My Mother in Law died of one. Blood thinners are not a good thing if you are on them. I would not screw around with a head injury, hopefully you'll get in asap and best of luck.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'm at the local ER awaiting scans. Hopefully everything turns out ok.

Hi Brando I think you made the right choice to get medical attention. Better to be safe than sorry.

glad you are getting help. My Dad almost died of one, is on blood thinners so it kept bleeding until he was totally confused, could not stand and what scared us most was sleeping through the day. They drilled a hole (seriously) and drained and he was quoting Shakespeare 30 minutes later with no recollection.

what I recall is if bleeding stops, the brain will reabsorb quickly and all will be fine. (cerebral fluid gets recycled constantly) but if the bleeding continues there is nowhere for it to go. Pressure will build and that puts pressure on other tiny veins that can also rupture for a cascade effect.

Your CT scan might not be your last. If it is inconclusive then think of it as a baseline to show if its getting worse or better over time. Hope this gets fixed quickly

Brief update for everyone: ER discharged me a few hours ago after an exam and CT scan. Luckily no bleeding in my brain and no broken bones. They couldn't explain why the pain and pressure have been getting worse. Loaded up on Tylenol and motrin and suggested i keeo my blood pressure down until things heal. My doctor has privileges at Hoag so he will be able to see all my records.

Good job man - ER will be a few hundred bucks if you have good insurance - why risk it! You did the right thing.

G

When I slipped in the tub and conked myself a good one I ran to the ER and they got me a CT scan within the hour.

And eight stitches... kinda funny story after the fact...

Lost your footing doing a "Higgins"?

Peace of mind is worth a fair bit. Of course, you will be charged more than a fair bit and did encounter a similar amount of radiation exposure. Having been CT'd a few times myself and on top of the exposure at work, I worry about the radiation sometimes.

I either need my eyes checked or a vacation, I keep reading interracial hemorrhoids.

Either way, hope the news is good.

I’m glad you went and more happy nothing was wrong.

I think you may have just coined a new disease.

I was finally able to get some sleep today. Been loading upon ibuprofen and Tylenol, still some pain but the pressure is down substantially. I'm hoping I can ride the MC to work but thinking I should borrow a car anyways. I called my doctor's office and he will follow up with Hoag to get the details. If it doesn't get better a neurologist visit is in the future.

IF'N U NEED A 2ND OPINION, YER UGLEE, TOO.

Hope everything works out!

Thanks, doc. My GP says unfortunately they can't correct that.