Non-stop headache......

kaybar · 10-13-2003, 05:58 PM

I swear I'm not exxagerating! Headache now for 2 months. I don't know what to do. I have always suffered with migraines...but that is occasionaly (maybe 4-5 times a year). I have been now having them 4-5 times a week. And when I am not in one I have a dull throbbing headache on the side of my head constantly. I have been taking 2 excedrin every 4-6 hours just to deal with life. These headaches are debilitating! I'm tired of feeling awful, my husband is tired of it, my little 4 year old son is always asking if I still have a headache?

I called my gyno but she won't see me and referred me to a neurologist. The nuerologist is the only one in my area and sucks, so I'm wondering if it's worth the effort and drive to see someone else? Is it all in my mind? Does anyone else have any problems with constant migraines? I just don't want to spend the money to be told to buck up little pup and deal with it! Any help would be so greatly appreciated!!!!

Kayleen

Dang......one more thing to worry about!!

JaneR · 10-13-2003, 06:13 PM

I started with headaches every day about 4 months ago. I was first diagnosed with cluster headaches, but when I looked into that, my headaches were not the same (although you might want to have a look in case this is you - go to www.ouch-uk.org I know it is a UK site, but the info is the same).

I finally got to the bottom of mine (we think!!) when my symptoms progressed to include numbness and pins and needles in my hands. I had an x-ray on my neck and found that it is too straight (trust me to be different - most people get too much curve!!

) I am now about to start a course of physio therapy to try and sort it out!!

Look into cluster headaches though - it could be you! They are apparently often misdiagnosed as migraines at first!

Good luck.

kaybar · 10-13-2003, 07:37 PM

Jane,

So how did you deal with the pain?? Did you take any meds or just OTC meds? What type of doctor did you see?

Kayleen

prunepie · 10-13-2003, 08:58 PM

kayleen..as a sufferer of headaches too..... have you had your sinuses xrayed?? how is your estrogen levels??? headaches suck...but unless you have a tumor or something i havent found much help from neurologists as far as headaches go..but its always good to get stuff ruled out from them..... xoxo jenn

kimmikat · 10-13-2003, 09:00 PM

Have you had the fasting glucose tolerance test to see if you have insulin resistance or even hyperinsulinemia? Before my diagnosis, I missed over two months of work due to daily or constant migraine headaches. I was told at first that I had severe sinus issues, ENT ruled that out and sent me back to my primary doc for migraine treatment. I was put on Nortriptylin (sp?) which helped a bit, but not tremendously. As coincidence would have it, I had already scheduled an appointment with an RE that specializes in PCOS (I had suspected PCOS for many years). After the glucose tolerance test (two hours and glucose drink), I was diagnosed as having hyperinsulinemia. I immediately started eating low-carb. After starting Gluc XR, I have not had but one migraine. Now, this of course is not the answer for everyone, but my migraines were caused by my elevated glucose/insulin levels.
Either way, I hope you find the answers very, very soon. You can't function when your head hurts that bad, but very few people will be understanding of that.

JaneR · 10-14-2003, 04:51 PM

Kayleen

Mostly I just used OTC drugs. I mostly alternate between ibuprofen and paracetamol or asprin - that way I could take them every 4 hours without going over the safe limit on any drug.

My doctor did give me some paracetamol based migraine tablets (which I can't remember the name of!) but has now given me some anti-inflamatory drugs since finding out about my neck problem (drug called diclofenac sodium MR 75mg). They are very strong and I can only take two tablets per day, but can take paracetamol and asprin in between.

The only doctor I've seen, apart from the x-ray department staff, is my own GP, but she is absolutely brilliant!! She will investigate every avenue until she gets to the bottom of something and then she will get the best possible treatment. She's fantastic!!

Hope all this helps.

daculadawg1 · 10-14-2003, 04:57 PM

hi, i have headaches also. mine are migrains, that what it sounds like your having. please go and see a neuro soon.

i hope you feel better soon.
linda m

SingingCyster · 10-15-2003, 08:39 PM

Hi all,
I have a WAY low-tech thing to consider, but first, a story

I too have a history of migraines, which I can often head off (no pun intended!) with 4 Advil, a heating pad, and a nap. If that doesn't work, I take Zomig, but I need an hour to recover from taking it. About a year ago, I also started getting worse-than-migraine headaches near the back of my head and neck (my migraines are always near my right eye), and nothing would touch them. I started taking Elavil, but it's been marginally effective. Tried changing BCPs, everything. Finally, two weeks ago, while getting a massage (also good for chronic headaches), my therapist and I got talking about diet sodas and artificial sweeteners. Turns out aspartame (brand name NutraSweet) can be a major headache trigger! So I quit the Diet Pepsi at lunch-and I've never been a big pop drinker-and wham-o, no more headaches. Unbelieveable! It's not the caffeine, it was the sweetener. And apparently, as the soda gets older, the sweetener breaks down and is even worse. I rarely finish a can of pop, so it usually sat on my desk and I would finish it the next morning (yuck, I know). God knows what that was doing to me.

So maybe it's something to try if you imbibe such stuff. I'll be calling the doctor to get off Elavil, that's for sure!

Barb

princessleeney · 10-16-2003, 01:48 PM

I had migraines alot too. It took me a long time, but i finally figured out that everytime I eat chocolate, i wind up with a migraine. Maybe something you eat or drink is triggering them? Besides taking a huge amount of OTC pain relievers, i have found that sometimes i can drink COLD BLACK COFFEE helps, yes it is totally gross but sometimes it really does work. Hope you feel better soon!

tithers · 10-20-2003, 12:03 AM

Hubby used to get migraines ALL the time! I MADE him go to the doctor and they prescribed him Indoral...a high blood pressure med that has a nice side effect that prevents migraines. He's had only one or 2 migraines in the past year. He used to get them 2-3 times a week!

Linsey · 10-27-2003, 04:29 AM

I also suffer from migraines and was also prescribed Inderal LA. It is for high blood pressure, but damn, it works for headaches. I was going to the ER or Urgent care like 2 times a month before being put on the Inderal. However, I still think perhaps I should see a neurologist at some point. I still ahve headaches, but not as bad and not as often. I have actually had one all weekend and had to take percocets to get rid of it and when it was gone I would fall asleep due to the meds. Then I would wake up and the headache was back. it was miserable.

For those of you who has been to a neurologist, what do they do typically to help treat headaches? What tests are done? What are they looking for or ruling out?

kaybar · 10-27-2003, 12:11 PM

I'm glad I went to the nuerologist! He was awesome and listened to my concerns and symptoms. They did a series of nuerological tests, blood test and an MRI to rule out anything serious. And then on my follow up appointment next week, we will discuss the test results and work up a plan of action. He said that I needed to incorporate more aerobic exercise in my life and instead of giving me a drug like imitrex that fights the headache when it comes, he will prescribe a daily med that will prevent the headaches all together. I can't even tell you what a relief that is! I am so tired of the headaches.

One of the things he was testing for in my blood was my thyroid level. I have already been diagnosed with hypothyroid which I am on medication for. His concern though is that I am over-medicated which would also cause headaches.

I would definately recommend to anyone suffering from non-stop headaches to seek out a good nuerologist, rule out anything major, and then find a plan of action that will let you get your life back! I'm looking forward to a headache free day, every day!

Kayleen

prunepie · 10-27-2003, 03:49 PM

what drug is he giving you? xo jenn

kaybar · 10-27-2003, 05:01 PM

Not sure yet. I will let you know as soon as I have my follow-up appointment on November 4th.

Kayleen

kaybar · 11-04-2003, 08:40 PM

Went to the follow up today with the neurologist and he completly changed his tune! He pretty much said that nothing came back wrong on the MRI so there must not be anything wrong with me. My thyroid levels were high (which they have been for years) so he said to follow up with my doctor to adjust my medication. That's it! What happened to the treatment plan??? I cried all the way home....which by the way was over an hour through a snowy canyon. Why not just tell me the "news" over the phone instead of having me drive all the way. Sorry, I'm just so frustrated! Then my doctor upon hearing what the nuerologist said doesn't think I need any more medication. It's not like I'm begging for meds!

What a lousy day...I'm so sick of this body of mine feeling like this. Yet no one believes me. Sorry to complain, I'm sure there are millions of more women that have it worse than I do...I'm just feeling sorry for myself.

Kayleen