SUDDEN TRAGEDY
‘Fit and healthy’ mum, 25, with a headache told to ‘go home and rest’ died just days after miscarriage
Plus, how to spot a life-threatening headache
A MUM who was told her intense headaches and blurred vision were likely stress-related died just one week after having a miscarriage.
Olivia Harlow, 25, was found by her partner Ryan in her room unresponsive days after she had lost her daughter, Adeline.
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The "fit and healthy" mum-of-one was rushed to the hospital where doctors found tumours all over her brain.
Her family were then forced to make the heartbreaking decision to turn off life support on June 24.
A few weeks earlier, when Olivia was 34 weeks pregnant, she went to Royal Brisbane Hospital suffering headaches and blurred vision.
She was told to go home and rest after tests came back clear.
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Stefanie Harlow, Olivia's sister-in-law, said two weeks later, the mum-to-be realised Adeline wasn't moving and rushed back to hospital on June 16.
"They did a scan, bub had passed away," Ms Harlow told Daily Mail Australia.
After giving birth to baby Adeline, Olivia stayed in the hospital for a few nights before she was given a "full bill of health" and discharged.
However, just days later, she returned to the hospital and told doctors she still wasn't feeling well and was suffering intense headaches.
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The doctors looked at scans they had done two weeks earlier and said there was no need for further tests, the sister-in-law explained.
"They said she was probably still stressed from what she had gone through and pretty much sent her on her way," she added.
Brain Tumour facts- 10 things you should know about brain tumours
What is a brain tumour?
A brain tumour is a mass, or lump in the brain which is caused when brain cells divide and grow in an uncontrolled way
Brain tumours are graded according to how fast they grow and how likely they are to grow back after treatment.
Grade 1 and 2 tumours are low grade, and grade 3 and 4 tumours are high grade.
There are 2 main types of brain tumours:
- Non-cancerous (benign) brain tumours – these are low grade (grade 1 or 2), which means they grow slowly and are less likely to return after treatment
- Cancerous (malignant) brain tumours – these are high grade (grade 3 or 4) and either start in the brain (primary tumours) or spread into the brain from elsewhere (secondary tumours); they're more likely to grow back after treatment
Symptoms of a brain tumour
The symptoms of a brain tumour vary depending on the exact part of the brain affected.
Common symptoms include:
- headaches
- seizures (fits)
- persistently feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) and drowsiness
- mental or behavioural changes, such as memory problems or changes in personality
- progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
- vision or speech problems
Sometimes you may not have any symptoms to begin with, or they may develop very slowly over time.
When to see a GP
See a GP if you have these types of symptoms, particularly if you have a headache that feels different from the type of headache you usually get, or if headaches are getting worse.
You may not have a brain tumour, but these types of symptoms should be checked.
If the GP cannot identify a more likely cause of your symptoms, they may refer you to a doctor who specialises in the brain and nervous system (neurologist) for further assessment and tests, such as a brain scan.
Source: NHS & Brain Tumour Research
The very next day she was found in her bedroom unconscious.
Olivia's brain has been sent off for testing, but her family could be waiting up to two years to get an answer as to what happened to her.
'MEDICAL MYSTERY'
"She was only 25, she was otherwise fit and healthy," Stefanie said.
"We shouldn't have to be in this position where we're putting her to rest.
"It's a bit of a medical mystery."
She added: "We questioned the doctors and they said they couldn't explain it.
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"In 26 days she had nothing and then all of sudden she was riddled (with tumours)."
The family have started a GoFundMe to raise funds for Olivia's partner Ryan, who is now raising their four-year-old daughter Evaliah on his own.
When a headache can be dangerous
While many people don't think twice about popping a couple of paracetamol when the throbbing sensation strikes, an agonising headache can also indicate a number of potentially life-threatening conditions.
It's therefore vital not to dismiss one too quickly, according to pharmacist Abbas Kanani.
Sufferers should assess whether they have any accompanying symptoms, how bad the pain is, and whether they have recently injured themselves - and then take the appropriate action.
Abbas, from Online Pharmacy Chemist Click, said: "Generally, most headaches go away on their own and are not a sign of a serious condition.
"However, if you notice that your headache keeps returning and painkillers do not help and your headache worsens, it should be checked by a GP."
It is also vital to see a doctor if your headache is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Pain when exposed to light or noise
- Throbbing pain at the front or side of your head
You should make an urgent appointment or call NHS 111 if you see any of these:
- Jaw pain when eating
- Blurred or double vision
- A sore scalp
- Numbness or weakness in the arms or legs
And you must call 999 if your headache is sudden or extreme and follows a head injury.