Millie112
05-12-2007, 11:47 PM
I've been suffering from headaches for almost 2 weeks now. My headache began on Wed. May 2. I get headaches from time to time and usually just take a tylenol or excedrine and they go away within an hour. This headache stayed with me. At first the pain felt almost like a migraine, it was in the middle of my forehead and somewhat over the eyes. Then the pain moved to my temples and it felt like I had pressure. Now the pain is all over and moves through out the day. Sometimes I feel it right in the middle of my forehead, sometimes I feel it in my temples, lately it feels like I'm being pricked with needles at the top and back of my head. I even feel it behind my eyes, near my ears and I can feel my head pulsating when it gets really bad. The pain stays with me 24hrs a day but usually gets worse at night. I feel constant pressure in my head.
Monday, May 7th I had an MRI done as ordered by my nuerologist. I had my appoitment with her on Thursday and she said that the MRI was normal and she believes that I'm suffering from a migraine. I was put on celebrex twice a day for 5 days. Today was day 3 since I've been taking the pills and when I woke up in the morning the pain was extreme so I called her and she switched me to nabumetone and told me to take this for the next 2 days. The pain has not the least bit subsided.
I've researching the web and according to most sites migranes don't last for more than 72hrs. Also, I'm not sensitive to light, sound and don't feel nauseous I just have this constant pain. I'm not a doctor and have absolutely no medical backround but I have had a migraine before and hearing any sound, seeing light just makes the pain so much worse. Also whenever I have a migraine I feel nauseous and will vomit. I haven't had the same feeling with this headache. I'm so scared and frustrated with this, I don't know where else to turn to. I want to trust my doctor and believe that the woman who graduated from Cornell and later attended Mount Sinai medical school knows what she is talking about but at the same time I've had this damn pain for almost 2 weeks and it wont ease up the least bit.
Has anyone ever had this type of headache and if so what did you do to get rid of it?
Monday, May 7th I had an MRI done as ordered by my nuerologist. I had my appoitment with her on Thursday and she said that the MRI was normal and she believes that I'm suffering from a migraine. I was put on celebrex twice a day for 5 days. Today was day 3 since I've been taking the pills and when I woke up in the morning the pain was extreme so I called her and she switched me to nabumetone and told me to take this for the next 2 days. The pain has not the least bit subsided.
I've researching the web and according to most sites migranes don't last for more than 72hrs. Also, I'm not sensitive to light, sound and don't feel nauseous I just have this constant pain. I'm not a doctor and have absolutely no medical backround but I have had a migraine before and hearing any sound, seeing light just makes the pain so much worse. Also whenever I have a migraine I feel nauseous and will vomit. I haven't had the same feeling with this headache. I'm so scared and frustrated with this, I don't know where else to turn to. I want to trust my doctor and believe that the woman who graduated from Cornell and later attended Mount Sinai medical school knows what she is talking about but at the same time I've had this damn pain for almost 2 weeks and it wont ease up the least bit.
Has anyone ever had this type of headache and if so what did you do to get rid of it?
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zach016
05-13-2007, 03:21 AM
Hi Millie,
Sorry that you are having h/a problems!!
There are so many things it can be that I don't think you need to question your Dr. yet.
"Most" migraines last anywhere from 4-72 hours but not all. You say that you have had migraines in the past andthis is different. What have you taken in the past for your migraines? You mention exedrine or tylenol and getting rid of them in one hour, are you referring to getting rid of your past migraines with the exedrine or tylenol?
If you rate your pain on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the worst pain you have had, where are you at with this h/a and where have you been at with migraines in the past?
It is good that your Dr. has had you in for an MRI and that was OK.
Have you been taking any type of analgesic on a daily or every other day basis lately? Have you stopped drinking coffee or other types of caffeine?
I asked about the analgesics because that could be you are having 'rebound' headaches. Withdrawing from caffeine can bring on a bad h/a in some people too.
Your syjptomes and lack of your 'normal' migraine symptomes really fit with "transformed migraine".. Sensitivity to light, sound and other symptoms can change when your h/a turns to chronic daily headaches. But you don't mention that your migraines have been coming more frequent lately ????
There are still many different things for you to try. Here, I've found that a Neurologist is good to rule out 'bad' things thaat might be causing bad head pain by ordering an MRI and/or CAT scan. If that comes up OK, they usuallyy have one or two medications that they try and then - unless they are also a headache specialist - can't help much more. Is there a headache specialist that you can make an appt. to see sometime down the line??
You may want to find a GOOD TO EXCELLENT chiropractor who may be able to help. Spend time finding a really good one though.
I get accupressure massages and find them very very helpful. She does some accupuncture too, but it is the accupressure massage that is the most helpful.
How has your sleep been? It''s best to force yourself on a schedule when you are having bad h/a problems. Go to bed at the same time every night and get up the same time every mornning and if you can't sleep after 20-30mins. get up and read or something else relaxing until you think you can get to sleep but don't 'linger' in bed.
??
Zach016
Millie,,
Does the part below sound like what you are experiencing??//
Characteristics of TM:
A pattern of daily or almost daily headaches that seem to be a mixture of tension-type headaches and Migraine attacks.
Pain that drops in severity to mild to moderate.
Pain isn't always accompanied by phonophobia, photophobia, or nausea.
Other Migraine symptoms may persist including unilateral pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, and aggravation by other triggers
Zach
Sorry that you are having h/a problems!!
There are so many things it can be that I don't think you need to question your Dr. yet.
"Most" migraines last anywhere from 4-72 hours but not all. You say that you have had migraines in the past andthis is different. What have you taken in the past for your migraines? You mention exedrine or tylenol and getting rid of them in one hour, are you referring to getting rid of your past migraines with the exedrine or tylenol?
If you rate your pain on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the worst pain you have had, where are you at with this h/a and where have you been at with migraines in the past?
It is good that your Dr. has had you in for an MRI and that was OK.
Have you been taking any type of analgesic on a daily or every other day basis lately? Have you stopped drinking coffee or other types of caffeine?
I asked about the analgesics because that could be you are having 'rebound' headaches. Withdrawing from caffeine can bring on a bad h/a in some people too.
Your syjptomes and lack of your 'normal' migraine symptomes really fit with "transformed migraine".. Sensitivity to light, sound and other symptoms can change when your h/a turns to chronic daily headaches. But you don't mention that your migraines have been coming more frequent lately ????
There are still many different things for you to try. Here, I've found that a Neurologist is good to rule out 'bad' things thaat might be causing bad head pain by ordering an MRI and/or CAT scan. If that comes up OK, they usuallyy have one or two medications that they try and then - unless they are also a headache specialist - can't help much more. Is there a headache specialist that you can make an appt. to see sometime down the line??
You may want to find a GOOD TO EXCELLENT chiropractor who may be able to help. Spend time finding a really good one though.
I get accupressure massages and find them very very helpful. She does some accupuncture too, but it is the accupressure massage that is the most helpful.
How has your sleep been? It''s best to force yourself on a schedule when you are having bad h/a problems. Go to bed at the same time every night and get up the same time every mornning and if you can't sleep after 20-30mins. get up and read or something else relaxing until you think you can get to sleep but don't 'linger' in bed.
??
Zach016
Millie,,
Does the part below sound like what you are experiencing??//
Characteristics of TM:
A pattern of daily or almost daily headaches that seem to be a mixture of tension-type headaches and Migraine attacks.
Pain that drops in severity to mild to moderate.
Pain isn't always accompanied by phonophobia, photophobia, or nausea.
Other Migraine symptoms may persist including unilateral pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, and aggravation by other triggers
Zach
Millie112
05-13-2007, 09:44 PM
Zach,
Thank you so much for your reply. I haven't drank coffee, anything with caffiene in over 2 years. I try to stick to a very healthy lifestyle, I always watch what I eat and go to the gym often. Before I'd get a couple of headaches a month, migraine headaches I'd get very rarely maybe once every 3-4 months but whenever I had a migraine I'd take an excedrine and would be fine within a couple of hours.
When I first started having this headache I popped everything under the sun trying to get rid of it. The doctor told me about rebound headaches and so I haven't taken tylenol or anything that isn't prescribed by a doctor in 6 days.
I'm starting to wonder if this maybe this is a sinus headache? I feel worse when I'm outside and living in Ny everything blooms in May. I did mention to my doc that I feel worse outside but she still insisted that this is a mirgraine. Tomorrow I'm thinking of making an appoitment with an allergist because this is just getting out of hand. I'm usually a very active person and lately I can't do anything because of this darn headache.
Thank you so much for your reply. I haven't drank coffee, anything with caffiene in over 2 years. I try to stick to a very healthy lifestyle, I always watch what I eat and go to the gym often. Before I'd get a couple of headaches a month, migraine headaches I'd get very rarely maybe once every 3-4 months but whenever I had a migraine I'd take an excedrine and would be fine within a couple of hours.
When I first started having this headache I popped everything under the sun trying to get rid of it. The doctor told me about rebound headaches and so I haven't taken tylenol or anything that isn't prescribed by a doctor in 6 days.
I'm starting to wonder if this maybe this is a sinus headache? I feel worse when I'm outside and living in Ny everything blooms in May. I did mention to my doc that I feel worse outside but she still insisted that this is a mirgraine. Tomorrow I'm thinking of making an appoitment with an allergist because this is just getting out of hand. I'm usually a very active person and lately I can't do anything because of this darn headache.
zach016
05-14-2007, 09:56 AM
Hi Millie,
Rebound h/a - IMO - are over-diagnosed, but they do exist. Unfortunately the way to get rid of them is to stop taking analgesics for 8-16 weeks (depending which specialist you talk to) AND, they get worse before they get better.
It is great that you have been able to get rid of your h/a with Exedrine in the past. Most of the people I talk to - including myself - don't respond at all to meds. like that.
It is the right time of the year for bad allergies so maybe you are on the right track there?? Let us know??
Good luck
Zach
Rebound h/a - IMO - are over-diagnosed, but they do exist. Unfortunately the way to get rid of them is to stop taking analgesics for 8-16 weeks (depending which specialist you talk to) AND, they get worse before they get better.
It is great that you have been able to get rid of your h/a with Exedrine in the past. Most of the people I talk to - including myself - don't respond at all to meds. like that.
It is the right time of the year for bad allergies so maybe you are on the right track there?? Let us know??
Good luck
Zach
dustoffkid
05-14-2007, 10:26 AM
All of your symptoms paint the picture of a sinus headache, actually. Have you tried Sudafed with your Tylenol? You may be surprised (oh, and drink a LOT of water with the Sudafed so you don't dehydrate).
Millie112
06-04-2007, 01:12 PM
It's been a straight month that I've suffered from my headaches now. Last week I went to see another headache doctor and he said that this isn't a migraine but something called New Daily Persistent headache. I've been put on gabapentin 300mg but according to the doctor it takes anywhere from 10 days to a month for this drug to start working. In the meantime I don't feel like myself, I've only been taking this drug for about 4 days and I truly feel like a blob. Has anyone else ever taken this pill?
cat3
06-06-2007, 03:20 PM
I had a constant headache for 15 months. Dr's just want to cover up the pain without finding the cause. I finally was told about a naturapath (sp) and she immediately put me on Thyroid and Progesterone. It has been three months since I have been on these and everyday I am better. I've gone back to work which I hadn't been able to do for a year. I am hoping this info will help someone.
Inchvbeam
07-08-2007, 10:20 AM
hi Millie112,
how are the gabapentin working for now?
thanks for any updates
how are the gabapentin working for now?
thanks for any updates
turbotoy
07-09-2007, 02:09 AM
Hi Millie, I use to get really bad h/a that came the same time everyday and they lasted for months.I finally found a doc who knew what they were.They were called cluster migraines.They hurt so bad my eye would just start watering on it's own.no pain pill of anytype would relieve the pain.but after i took the meds he prescribed all was well.there is another type of h/a i read about and it's a type that athletic people get.sorry i can't think of the name off hand so i guess that really doesn't help.well best of luck.
cindy4hope
07-09-2007, 10:50 AM
Hi, just wanted to ask you that have frequent migraines what meds you might be on for them. I've tried imitrex, topamax, fiorcett, execdrin migraine, and a few more. I know there are a few more aed meds that work to help prevent migraines, like zonegran and neurotin have any of you been on those meds if so what kind of results did you get with them? don't want to take anything that causes weight gain, and I know some of the aed meds do.
Hope you are having a pain Free day.
Blessings,
Cindy4hope :)
Hope you are having a pain Free day.
Blessings,
Cindy4hope :)
elliesmom50
07-09-2007, 03:24 PM
I've tried every drug known. Have suffered for 8 years. I finally found a surgeon named Kevin Rose from Springville Utah. He preformed a new procedure for migraine headaches on me. It truly saved my life. Give him a call. I am so grateful I did. Good luck.
Millie112
07-10-2007, 05:27 AM
I suffered with the same headache for over a month. Back in early I spent a week in Florida and the entire time i was there i didn't have a single headache. As soon as I got back my headaches started again. That made me think that I was suffering from allergies so I went to see an allergist and she confirmed it. According to her more than 80% of migraines are caused by allergies. She did a skin test which revealed that I'm allergic to dogs ( I have 2 yorkies) and all kinds of molds. So now I am faced with a major problem: I adore my dogs, they are like my children and I've had them for 3 years. Also, I live in a very old building so there is plenty of mold here.
The allergist also did some sort of breathing test where she put wires in my nose and that revealed that my sinuses are blocked.
She even said that it is no wonder that i've been suffering these horrible headaches. This truly angers me because I had seen 4 headache specialists prior and one of those doctors doesn't even take insurance but cash because he's been on CNN and Oprah. I asked all of the doctors that I went to see if this is possibly an allergy and they all ignored my questions.
I stopped taking the gabapentin because it was doing nothing for me other than making me feel like a zombie and making me fat. Now I take Clairtin and some nasal sprays that were prescribed. The headache is still there but no where near as bad as before. I can't even fathom giving away my dogs but I am looking to move into a newer building.
The allergist also did some sort of breathing test where she put wires in my nose and that revealed that my sinuses are blocked.
She even said that it is no wonder that i've been suffering these horrible headaches. This truly angers me because I had seen 4 headache specialists prior and one of those doctors doesn't even take insurance but cash because he's been on CNN and Oprah. I asked all of the doctors that I went to see if this is possibly an allergy and they all ignored my questions.
I stopped taking the gabapentin because it was doing nothing for me other than making me feel like a zombie and making me fat. Now I take Clairtin and some nasal sprays that were prescribed. The headache is still there but no where near as bad as before. I can't even fathom giving away my dogs but I am looking to move into a newer building.
turbotoy
07-12-2007, 01:09 AM
millie112 , how are you?well i also see an allergiest.seems like i'm allergic to everything.but know from me that you don't have to stop living.i get two shots every week.one is stock(grass,weeds,mold and everything else)the other is for cats and dogs.i also went to a sinus specialist because i kept sinuitist and fount out that i had a deviated septum (inside the bridge of nose)probably caused from pushing my nose upwards from the allergies .and i also had some blockage.i had surgery in nov. last year and it has been great.i hardly ever get headaches anymore,and when i do their usually caused by something else.best luck to you
monkeymelon66
07-24-2007, 05:41 PM
As a matter of interest have you got anywhere? - I have very similar symtoms and have done for 8 weeks now - nothing has helped up to now, my GP referred me and I finally saw a neurologists yesterday, I have to have a MRI scan (this is the British NHS it could be weeks yet!) - though I doubt it will show anything, in the meantime he has given me Beta blockers (propranolol Hydrochloide) which I started today and certainly made a difference until about an hour ago, he also gave me some knock out pain killers - they won't do much other than send me to sleep - but that is something. I would like to know how you have got on.
Millie112
07-25-2007, 02:28 PM
I stopped seeing the nuero and now I'm under the care of the allergist. I had a nasal endoscopy done a couple of weeks ago which revealed that my sinuses are swollen but doc didn't see any polyps or cysts. I was put on different allergy medications and some days are better than others. I notice that when there isn't too much humidity I'm not in as much pain. Next week I'm having a ct scan done of the sinuses. Ask your nuero to include the sinuses in the MRI.
simple101
08-10-2007, 02:57 AM
Good luck to anyone with this problem. I have to share my good news, I finally made it a year with NO Migranes! I had the visual aura then such pain I would want to die for 3 hours to 3 days.
I first quit: bacon, smoked meat, hotdogs and chocolate.
still got migranes but not as often.
Then I got off birth control pills and I believe that did it- all better!
I hope this helps one person.
I first quit: bacon, smoked meat, hotdogs and chocolate.
still got migranes but not as often.
Then I got off birth control pills and I believe that did it- all better!
I hope this helps one person.
NancyAlex
08-29-2007, 10:05 PM
I suffered with the same headache for over a month. Back in early I spent a week in Florida and the entire time i was there i didn't have a single headache. As soon as I got back my headaches started again. That made me think that I was suffering from allergies so I went to see an allergist and she confirmed it. According to her more than 80% of migraines are caused by allergies. She did a skin test which revealed that I'm allergic to dogs ( I have 2 yorkies) and all kinds of molds. So now I am faced with a major problem: I adore my dogs, they are like my children and I've had them for 3 years. Also, I live in a very old building so there is plenty of mold here.
The allergist also did some sort of breathing test where she put wires in my nose and that revealed that my sinuses are blocked.
She even said that it is no wonder that i've been suffering these horrible headaches. This truly angers me because I had seen 4 headache specialists prior and one of those doctors doesn't even take insurance but cash because he's been on CNN and Oprah. I asked all of the doctors that I went to see if this is possibly an allergy and they all ignored my questions.
I stopped taking the gabapentin because it was doing nothing for me other than making me feel like a zombie and making me fat. Now I take Clairtin and some nasal sprays that were prescribed. The headache is still there but no where near as bad as before. I can't even fathom giving away my dogs but I am looking to move into a newer building.
Millie, I'm so glad you were finally diagnosed! I am 53 years old and have had headaches since I was 20 and have never been diagnosed. Have had x rays though to be sure it's not a brain tumor, which it was not. BUT, with moving to a new building and being on allergy meds that may just take care of your problem and you can keep your two darling angels. I can't imagine having to give up my pom for ANYTHING! Good luck to you and I sincerely hope moving will help your problems a lot! . . . blessings to you and your dogs!:-)
The allergist also did some sort of breathing test where she put wires in my nose and that revealed that my sinuses are blocked.
She even said that it is no wonder that i've been suffering these horrible headaches. This truly angers me because I had seen 4 headache specialists prior and one of those doctors doesn't even take insurance but cash because he's been on CNN and Oprah. I asked all of the doctors that I went to see if this is possibly an allergy and they all ignored my questions.
I stopped taking the gabapentin because it was doing nothing for me other than making me feel like a zombie and making me fat. Now I take Clairtin and some nasal sprays that were prescribed. The headache is still there but no where near as bad as before. I can't even fathom giving away my dogs but I am looking to move into a newer building.
Millie, I'm so glad you were finally diagnosed! I am 53 years old and have had headaches since I was 20 and have never been diagnosed. Have had x rays though to be sure it's not a brain tumor, which it was not. BUT, with moving to a new building and being on allergy meds that may just take care of your problem and you can keep your two darling angels. I can't imagine having to give up my pom for ANYTHING! Good luck to you and I sincerely hope moving will help your problems a lot! . . . blessings to you and your dogs!:-)