Chronic Daily Headaches - Headaches & Migraines Message Board

shortysmom · 04-17-2005, 09:04 AM

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.

Drewtn · 04-18-2005, 07:21 AM

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!

LauraLu · 04-18-2005, 11:00 AM

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!

shortysmom · 04-18-2005, 03:11 PM

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!

rachaelizabeth · 04-19-2005, 11:29 AM

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