For anyone suffering with any type of headache, neck pain, shoulder pain, tingling, "sinus pressure" or other undiagnosed pain, I highly recommend reading Heal Your Headache- The 1-2-3 Program For Taking Charge of Your Pain by David Buchholz. I had been suffering for almost a year with migraine, facial pressure, burning in the back of the head, neck and shoulder stiffness ect and had seen numerous doctors and specialists without an answer. I was convinced (by many doctors) that I was having a reaction to stress and the neck/shoulder stiffness was muscle spasm. But like many of you, I found it hard to believe that such pain magically erupted without some physical cause (because I knew I was not a very nervous, anxious person). Anyways, after reading this book, I found that headache is a genetic and hereditary disorder and some of us suffer more frequently than others because we have a low threshold for various triggers. This book explains that all headaches arise from the migraine mechanism, which can cause multiple symptoms that do not always necessarily fit the "classic" migraine category. For instance I would suffer from a sinus-like pressure for 2-3 days, accompanied by runny nose and runny eyes. Since I was experiencing such tremendous pressure on my right cheek and nose, doctors were convinced that I had some kind of "environmental allergy". Actually, when the migraine mechanism is activated it can cause inflammation and swelling of the blood vessels in any area of the head, neck and trapezius muscles (for example, I also had an experience where both of my ears were blocked for 5 days straight). To make a long story short, all of my chronic problems were triggered by foods that I was eating. For me, tyramine, which is an amino acid found in aged cheeses, nuts, beans, fresh breads, alcohol, ect... is a major trigger. I also read in another book that certain people lack an enzyme that allows the body to metabolize these amino acids, such as tyramine which results in the constriction of blood vessels in the head. Everyone has different triggers so it could be caffeine and chocolate for some or diet sodas for another. The trick is finding what the triggers are for you. Since I have followed the migraine diet detailed in the book I have improved tremendously. I no longer wake up with a headache or stiffness and I never have severe migraine attacks. So, if you are experiencing unexplained chronic pain and you cannot see the pattern, I highly recommend reading this book and trying the diet. It has opened my eyes to the misdiagnosis and mistreatment of headaches and other pain in the medical community and it has finally freed me of daily chronic pain.

Thanks for the tip. I've already placed a hold at the library for it (online) so I should have it by Monday. I'm really afraid that my trigger is going to be caffeine...it's the only constant in my life. How on earth will I live without it?! :eek:

Luckily I don't get migraines often, but I always have a headache. My variances are type and severity of pain. Most common for me are sinus and tension...both can be quite excruciating at times!

I almost didn't read your post because of the length and also I have a migraine. I'm sure glad I took the time to read it. That sounds like a great book. I've had headaches almost everyday since I was a teenager (i'm now 39). About 4 years ago I started having migraines 3-4 a week! I can't tolerate them anymore. I have done the traditional route, family dr, 2 neurologist, dentist, eye exams, Imitrex, relpax, amerge, inderal, topomax and Axert. Axert does the trick for me but the insurance company has complete control over how many pills I should receive each month. I usually have to suffer a few migraines without meds. I have stopped eating chocolate already and have cut down on my caffeine intake. I will definitely take the time to read the book. Thank you for recommending it :angel: .

How did you link yours to a food allergy? Those are so hard to detect.

I picked up the "Heal your Headache" book. The endless circle of meds taking care of headaches and then rebounding off the meds giving you another headache, so you take another pill to get rid of the headache and round and round :dizzy: . I realized that everytime I ate chocolate I would get a headache which usually led to a migraine. I was an iced tea junkie and when I stopped drinking it I haven't experienced as many headaches. I too would wake up almost everyday with a headache. I'm going to follow the recommendations in this book. Sounds very promising :angel: .

but the insurance company has complete control over how many pills I should receive each month. I usually have to suffer a few migraines without meds.
What a bunch of crap! It's really too bad you can't force them to trade places with you for a few days so they can know exactly how you feel. Then we'd see how many days you'd have to go without meds...I bet there wouldn't be any. The people who work for these insurance companies couldn't care less about the people they're supposed to be helping and you pay into that...it's not like they're giving you anything completely for free. And there are a lot of people who pay and never file claims.

When my mom filed for her long term disability it took them so long and she had to keep calling the insurance adjuster. They had the nerve to ask her psychiatrist for all his notes from their appointments. And then the little creep who was supposed to be looking after her claim left it in a pile on his desk while he buggered off for a four day weekend. Nice, huh?

Anyway, that's my rant for the day. Hope you're feeling relief soon, mother of six. Take care. :wave: