I am not sure what I am suffering from.

I have headaches all day every day for about 8 months. They are dull headaches. It is mainly on the sides of my head and some on my forehead.
I also have
-ear fullness and popping
-post nasal drip
-lot of fatigue
-heavy head feeling usually in the morning. Like a weight is strapped to the top of my head.
-eye discomfort when moving my eyes around
-vision can become unfocused if I relax my eyes
-feel out of it or dazed like

Medicine has not helped the headaches at all.
What can I try for treatment or what kind of headaches does this sound like?

Thanks for any help

Tension headaches can be brutal. I have had combination tension/migraines quite a bit in the last few years. Mine respond somewhat (at least to make it tolerable) to migraine meds. such as zomig. You might try talking to your Dr. about trying that type of treatment. Good Luck

I also suffer from severe tension headaches. I have tried many different medications over the past year. I tried amytriptiline (sp) a couple of months ago and it helped my headaches, but the side effects were not good, such as drowsy, crabby, and I gained 10 lbs. I am now trying Nortryptilin (sp),same family of meds as the amyt-----, but the side effects are not supposed to be as severe. To be honest, it is helping alot. The side effects have been quite minimal and my headaches have decreased by 85%. The reason my doctor is giving me the meds is because he is trying to decrease the tension in my neck.

Sounds a bit to me like sinus headaches. The post nasel drip and full head feeling. The popping sounds a bit like TMJ I have had it for 12 years. There are alot of different Meds depending on what type of headache it is. Sinus meds do work if its sinus related. My TMJ headaches and symptoms only respond to heavy meds like Oxycontin but thats only used for chronic pain. I would see my doc if I were you since your symptoms could be so many things. Best of luck to you.

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Cheers...Autumn
Female...42
TMJD for 12 years
Carpal Tunnel syndrome
Anxiety/Panic Attacks (cured now I think)
Alot of past Medical Problems so if I can help in other areas of health...I will.

Wow, the Elavil was making you drowsy and this med. isn't?? Does it make you hyper?? I'm the original "if there's a side effect, I'll get it, or I'll get the opposite of what they're supposed to be!"

Do you take ANY other medications? Just wondering about interactions I could have if I try the Nortriptiline? My doc. said I could, but I opted for trying Prozac again, due to having SEVER panic/anxiety attacks since a death in the family. My stress area has always been my neck/shoulders resulting in headaches daily, waking up all stiff and headachy all over again. I get better as I wake up by NIGHT http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

How long have you been on the Nortriptiline? What dose? When do you take it - a.m. or p.m.?

THANKS


Originally posted by Bumps:
I also suffer from severe tension headaches. I have tried many different medications over the past year. I tried amytriptiline (sp) a couple of months ago and it helped my headaches, but the side effects were not good, such as drowsy, crabby, and I gained 10 lbs. I am now trying Nortryptilin (sp),same family of meds as the amyt-----, but the side effects are not supposed to be as severe. To be honest, it is helping alot. The side effects have been quite minimal and my headaches have decreased by 85%. The reason my doctor is giving me the meds is because he is trying to decrease the tension in my neck.

Hi ~ I've been on Nortriptyline (brand name Pamelor) for over 6 wks. now, as treatment for chronic tension headache. (back, left side of head, some days much worse than others, some days it's more widespread) I tried Amitriptyline (Elavil) 25 mg. for 3 days, but also couldn't deal with the incredible drowsiness!! So the neruo put me on 10 mg. Nortriptyline, and I DO believe it has helped. I take it before bed, and don't notice ANY side-effects at all. I'll see him again in 10 days, and decide if we should change the dosage at all. I've also been helped greatly by Physical Therapy, however. The benefits here can not be overlooked. He gave me some very simple stretching exercises to do at home, as well, which brought me some relief. This HAD been a daily, very, very aggravating headache, for nearly 3 mos.

I also have intermittent migraines, (for 25 yrs. now) which can be HORRIBLE, but they never last more than 2 days. Imitrex has really helped me with those, although I have found it needs to be taken as soon as I realize it's a migraine, or the pain gets away from me. Still, the Imitrex has been VERY helpful, and the side-effects are minimal, for me.

Hang in there and keep tryin' ~ you'll get better ~

yes same here and sometimes a full on migrane they really do my head in to say the least.. i was told sinuses and was refered to an ent but got to wait 17mnths ahhhhhh so i am going private waiting 3 weeks.. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif get yourself checked good luck let us all know



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donna

Do you wear glasses? i have tension/ migraine/ sinus headaches. They all feel different. I was begining to get a new headache and was worried ('cause i just love to worry). Long story short: i needed glasses. The "new" headache went away and I didn't realize what I was missing visually. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Adriane

I have had tension headaches for 5 years and had chiropractic treatment which just seemed to make things worse.

I then tried acupuncture about 5 mths ago and it has been amazing. I have a treatment every 6 weeks at the mo and get about 1 headache in that time as opposed to 3 or 4 a week in the old days before.

Try it.