[DOWNINNATICK]

Hi All;
I'm in my late forties and I have been suffering from daily chronic headaches for over 20 years, but I was able to work till Dec. 07. In Dec. the headache became so bad, they feel like someone is crushing my head. I've gone for years being told, they're all in your head, have a baby or better yet have more sex with my husband.
I'm taking meds a specialist gave me now and pain meds, but nothing is working. Is there anyone else who suffers from daily headache, and have you found any medications that work.
I'll be losing my job in three weeks, that is all they will hold my job for, and between headaches and depression somedays I just don't know if I can take it much longer.

[Rose3]

Yes, I have had headaches for years.
There are different kinds of headaches - such as tension headaches, cluster headaches, migraines. There are different causes for headaches - so it would be an idea to see a neurologist perhaps in order to have your headaches assessed by a professional.
Could it be a tumor, an infection, a nerve problem, stress, etc?
I find that a cold pack helps me.
For my headache, it was helpful to be physically active - and as I have read about some types of headaches- this is usual for that type of headache. But for other types of headaches - rest might be more helpful. It depends on what type of headache you have.
Sometimes for pain relief - TCA (tricyclic antidepressants) or some anticonvulsants are used [because they inhibit the reuptake of serotonin]. I've not tried capsaicin - but have read about it for topical use.
Sorry about your job.
Have you found anything to be helpful? Have you tried a pain clinic?

[CedarS]

The book All in My Head by Paula Kamen is excellent, she has daily headaches too:

All in My Head is a black comedy, a candid memoir and an informed journalistic report. It's about my often absurd struggles to try to cure one long 15-year migraine (now diagnosed as "chronic daily headache"), through odysseys through the extremes of both Western and alternative medicine.

The book stops to address different "big picture" issues involved, such as framing chronic pain as a "women's issue." This book is the first one written on my specific disorder, "chronic daily headache," a constant or near-constant headache, that affects about 4-5 percent of the population (and about 10 percent of women of childbearing age).

http://www.paulakamen.com/

[DOWNINNATICK]

Hi Rose3, I'm sorry you suffer from headaches as well.
I have been to a pain clinic where they try to each you to relax, didn't help, I'm on my 4th neurologist. I've had an MRI, CAT and a sleep study and can't find a thing wrong. I bet it is stress and nerve problems, but they don't listen. Thanks for your ideas, I will ask about them.

May you be blessed!

[DOWNINNATICK]

Thanks CedarS;
I will have to check this book out, it may give me hope.

May the sun always shine upon you.

[Rose3]

well - they should listen to you
and I hope that you find someone who will
If I was there to be of help - then I would listen.
Keep trying!!

[DOWNINNATICK]

[PsyChris]

I was listening to someone talk about part of dialectical behavioral therapy called mindfulness. You might find that type of therapy particuarly helpful for Chronic Pain.

I know in the medical community it becomes a stigma to have the word "Chronic" attached to anything because it almost implies that you have to live with it.

I'm concerned you might not have had a full work-up. I don't want to give you undue fear but I had a patient last week who had a benign menangioma in his brain that had been causing his headaches for the last year. Have you had an MRI or at least a CT?

[DOWNINNATICK]

Thanks for the idea! I have had a CAT and MRI, but nothing was there, I also had a sinus xray- found a cyst, but they said nothing to worry about.

[Atredies]

I understand your pain...i've been living with a constant headache for almost 5 years...its the same thing, I have it day in and day out. I've had multiple cats, mris, ekgs, sleep studies, etc. Everything comes back that there is nothing wrong with me. The best way I can describe it is to wrap a blood pressure cuff around your head and pump it till it explodes and repeat it non stop. I've been through multiple pain management specialist, neurologist, family doctors, a few pyschs, no one can find a thing. Through some research I've done myself with the national nuerology association, I've found a type of headache that pretty much matches it. Mine I believe, is what is known as a muscle contraction headache. There really isn't much that can be done for them, possibly why the meds don't work. There are two main causes for them. A. TMD/TMJ - disorder with the tendons and such of your jaws. B. Deginerative Arthritis of your neck. I personally have both so I'm not sure why no one will diagnose it as that, except for the fact they don't want to put me on a load of pain killers for a prolonged time. I hope you can find relief one day.

As for me, I've simply found comfort in keeping myself busy non stop. I try to spend all my time doing as much as I can and not thinking about it as much as possible. I find my hardest time to deal with it is during the night when I try to sleep. It is difficult and has caused my sleep to become an avg of 1-2 hours a night. I know it sounds silly, but having kids if you do not have any does help as it gives you an oppurtunity to take your mind off your pain and focus on them. I can also tell you that for me personally, having sex with my wife, does offer some comfort and relief, even tho it is not total, and only lasts during the time and for a few mins afterwards. However that does become a burden to your spouse as well. Best of luck and you have my prayers.

As for meds, I've been on anti-depresents, anti-convulsents, every migraine medicene known to man, muscle relaxers, narcotics, anti-inflamatorys, I've had the nerves in my head severed, removed all my teeth, and I'm currently on 3 amino acids that are supposed to work. I'll be happy to give you the layout and plan for the amino acids to see if that works for you if you would like. There is no prescription needed for them and the layout is very simple. This again comes from the Neurological Institute or something like that so it is a tried-true method. According to my current doctor I'm the only one he has ever heard of reaching the last and final stage of it, where it does not work. Most people this tends to correct. Feel free to send me a pm or ask here and I'll get you the 3 amino acids and the layout for the 3 stages of it.

[thelostone]

have you tried deep tissue massage with a good lmt? i used to get great relief from that, unfortunatly i can no longer afford it , but when i was going weekly it helped my headache as well as other pain tremendously.

lost

[DOWNINNATICK]

No I haven't tried that, but with me on disability, haven't seen any payments yet, and my husband on unemployment, we can't afford that either. I've had a chiropractic treatments years ago, that only helped for an hour or two. He also did pressure point treatment on the base of my head which hurt like heck, but when you let go you could feel the pain leave, but only for a short time again.

Thanks for the idea, have a fabulous day.

[thelostone]

if you have insurance it can be paid for as physical therapy as long as your dr prescribes it. it lasts longer than chiro treatment, and if you receive it regularly the knots they work out take longer to come back the more you get it done. it is similar to the pressure point treatment, but actually work out the knots in your muscles that cause the pain.

i also use warm compresses on the back of my neck and on my shoulders sometimes for my headaches. wish i could be more help.

lost

[(JD)]

Go to a TMJ specialist (Dentist) and have him check your bite. Your jaw has to be off just a slightest bit (mm) to cause profound headaches. It's worth a visit, imo.

[DOWNINNATICK]

I've seen a oral surgent he says, my jaw is not out enough to cause problems. A chiropactor said it was out a little, but again not bad enough, but he said he could correct it, if need it.

But thanks for the suggestion, I wish you much happiness.

[Danialla]

I have a few questions regarding your headaches.....

Is there anything that makes them worse? Do you have them first thing in the morning? Do you have any other neurological symptoms, i.e. balance problems, etc.?

Is there anything that provides a bit of relief?

I also get headaches too, and boy do I hate them!!

[nightbird]

Also, do you have any allergies or hormonal inbalances?

Did they ck for aqua stenosis?

How bout ear peoblems?

See, a thourough physician, starting with a new neurologist, and work your way through the testing again to rule out things until they find it...

Meanwhile, relaxation techniques, soft lighting, no cheese. no chocolate and those other creature habits that are known headache culprits - avoid for awhile. also, do you feel better when you have had some caffeine?

Could this be vascular?

So much to find out. Godd luck with it.

Hope you find relief soon. Meanwhile, pain med. could help, but it doesn't get to the source of the difficulty.

peace and comfort,
night

[Danialla]

[DOWNINNATICK]

I wake up with them and go to bed with them, I have blurry vision and dizziness with them and nothing helps them. I have tried some migaine meds with no relief, I was once on 5 different meds at one time that helped some, but then I couldn't do anything, they made me so sleepy I surprised I didn't fall asleep while driving, but I didn't fall asleep at my desk and was 2 hours late everyday so they fired me.

[DOWNINNATICK]

Thanks for the Ideas, I do have 23 allergies, I don't think I have a ear problems, they tried to check the vascular system in a MRI, but being over weight, I didn't fit far enough into the machine. I believe he checked for hormons but they came back normal. I had to get off of caffine, they tried to blame my headache on that and caffine doesn't help either. But I have to as about aqua stenosis.

Thanks again;

Hugs
http://www.castlemountains.com/index...=167&type_id=2

[Danialla]

What is aqua stenosis?