I have had CDH for 20 years. I've been to the opthamologist, neuro-opthamologist, neurologist, dentist - no one can tell me what's causing them. My MRI was normal. I've tried anti-depressants as a preventative and didn't work. I just got through trying Topamax and it didn't work - just gave me very strange side effects. I don't know where to turn now. I have a headache almost every day - not too many days are headache free. I have an occasional migraine. Does anyone have chronic daily headaches and what have you done to stop them? Thanks for any help.

Have you ever had any trauma to the head or neck?? Been in a car wreck or anything??

I went through the exact same thing as you and it took me over 4 years to figure out that I had cervicogenic headaches. My MRI looked fine and none of the preventative meds worked well for me.

What do you take every day for your headaches?? Can it be a rebound headache??

Just a couple suggestions on what it might be!

Good luck!

Hey there, I too am in the exact same boat as yourself. I am 23 and can remember being in pain since Kindergarten. The flourescent lights always really bothered me.
I recently purchased a book called "Heal Your Headache" by David Buchholz. The book is really insightful and sheds a lot of light on what we go through each day. I highly recommend you read it.
I take 2 tablets of Allegra D every morning and this seems to work quite well for me. I also take 1500 mg of glucosimine with chondriton before going to bed for TMJ.
Be careful taking anything with caffeine in it, like Excedrin because this causes a nasty rebound effect. I just stopped drinking coffee and have pretty much given up caffeine in general. Triptans, like Imitrex and Zomig can also cause a rebound effect.
Just wanted to let you know that I know what you're going through, and it's not all in your head either. Don't ever let anyone tell you you're crazy. I believe you. I wish you a pain free day, and get that book! :)

Thanks for your replies! I usually take Excedrin or ibuprofen for my headaches. I do have a prescription for Darvocet that I have used, but not often, because it makes me feel so bad after the headache is gone. My headaches started when I was 15 (I'm 36 now). I never was in any kind of accident. I do have TMJ, but tried TMJ treatments for the headaches - no help. I do have 2 bulging disks in my neck and arthritis in my neck, but this has all developed in only the last year or so. I have done rehab for the disks, and it didn't help the headaches at all. I will check that book out. Hopefully it will help! I cut out caffeine before and doesn't help. I have gone a week without a headache, so I don't think they are rebound headaches. Thanks again!

Hi,
I have had the Exact same problems. I have intense pressure in mainly one eye that NEVER EVER goes away. They did find a tiny mucas retention cyst in one of my sinuse cavities but nothing that would cause this. I was also put on topomax and noticed joint pain and other side effects. I had an injury a couple years ago and am not nearly certian this caused my pain today. I also suffer from upper back pain. No other Dr.'s have given me any help. I seen a chiropractor and they found my neck is misaligned, which can cause headaches along with poor posture. Just a thought, but you might want to see a chiropractor. Many dr's will say "oh nothing is wrong go home"...... I am undergoing treatments now, but I feel I'm running out of options if this does't help. My neurologyst told me "you have every day headaches" which was his way of of saying he has no idea what is wrong with me

I had chronic daily headaches for a long time. I know you mentioned that you have seen your dentist, but after many years of trying to find out the problem. I learned that my TMJ (Temporo-mandibular Joint) is what was causing the daily headaches. My dentist did nothing to help, but has told me for years that I have TMJ. As far as the headaches go, I got desperate and went to a TMJ specialist who put me on some great medication that has stopped the pain, while I can hopefully get treatment and correction on my jaw. Chronic headaches were ruining my life, so I feel for you very much. It's the most awful thing to have to go through day in and day out. I still have headaches, but not nearly as much and not nearly as often. I have the occasional migraine problem, so that's still around. I wish you luck!!!

I forgot to mention that the medication that I am on are Neurontin in the evening to help me sleep, which is also a headache prevention medication. (not made for that, but has been prescribed to do so). My TMJ is severe so they call it arthritis in one side of my jaw, so it sounds like it's a little different than your trouble, but I haven't had much pain in my jaw and the medication is helping a ton. The other medication I'm on is called Lodine. Its an anti-imflammatory. I take that three times a day, but the pharmacist says one or two is enough for most people. The biggest thing I've heard is the vitamins. For my headaches, I've been told many times to take Calcium and Magnesium (500mg each). It's helped a lot! Good luck!!

I also have Chronic Daily Headaches. I'm in the middle of reading the book Heal Your Headaches. BUY THE BOOK. It's very helpful. There are so many things that are triggers for headaches and if we can avoid them we can maybe avoid a headache/migraine. I just went to the "headache" doctor yesterday and he switched around a few more meds. I'm on my second month of Topamax. I don't really like the side effects I get from it but if it makes my days a little better, I'll take it. We're trying to get to right combo of all the meds together to make these things (hopefully) lessen or go AWAY! The Calcium/Magnesium combo also works real well the 7 days before my period starts ~ keep's my head from going too wild! Good luck and but most importantly ... DON'T GIVE UP!! It's your body and you know what you feel, it's NOT all in your head! Keep us posted. Ginny

I spent years going back and forth to different doctors. I finally asked to be referred to a pain clinic. My life has completely changed since then. I also have arthritis in my neck and poor posture. They worked with me and tried a few different things. I tried physical therapy, psychological therapy and also nerve block injections. The injections and therapy didn’t help so they put me on pain meds. I can function so much better now. It is amazing. I got SO frustrated with my neurologist because they can only go so far. I tried almost every drug in the book. Now that I keep my daily headaches to a minimum I rarely get migraines at all. Maybe once a month when before I was getting them up to once a week!! I would highly suggest checking to see if there is a clinic in your area.

Good luck to all!

I too suffer from a lot of headaches, lately every day although the severity can differ. Never suffered from them before. Seems to be originating in my neck. But i use midrin and it works well for me. Doesnt make me too tired and is affordable as i have no insurance. I also take elavil to sleep, have found no cessation of headaches with it and ive been on it for years. Never heard fo it being prescribed for headaches. :)