Chronic daily headache

[bramblejellygin]

Does anyone have any experience of this?

Looking likely that this might be DDs diagnosis. I'm feeling like it's a bit like saying we don't know what's causing your pain so you'll just have to get on with it.

She's been in daily pain for 2 months and is missing school. She's so fed up and depressed as am I to be honest.

No painkillers are helping it's just so hard seeing her like this and being unable to do anything

Hi OP, has your DD had a scan so they are certain that there is nothing more causing it? My DD is coeliac, but, before her diagnosis, she would suffer terribly with headaches; could there be a potential trigger for these headaches, such as an allergy or intolerance?

Yes sorry she's had a scan so tumour is ruled out thank god.

We've done a headache diary and cannot find any triggers or patterns other than it's worse in the morning

Could it be rebound headache from taking painkillers too often?

My DS daily headache turned out to be Sinisitus , which was only diagnosed through an MRI scan.

Did you get to bottom of this? My 9 year old dd had a headache nearly everyday for 2 weeks gp says drink more water 🙄

Hi, my son is in a very similar position. He has had a headache for 18 months now, it never goes away and is constantly there. He has a diagnosis of New Daily Persistent Headache.

Current treatment is beta blockers and naproxen which is kinda working x it has reduced the pain but not remove it. He has missed so much school and it is having a massive impact on him.

How is your daughter getting on now?

Hopeful bump.

Oh sorry to hear that @OhBeAFineGuyKissMe
How old is he?
At what age did they start?
Has he been referred to a neurologist?

Headaches were also my daughter’s main symptom from Coeliac disease (she did not have any bowel symptoms), along with iron deficiency symptoms- all her eyelashes came out and she was tired and breathless.
Has you daughter been checked for Coeliac disease OP? It’s a whole body autoimmune disorder and has symptoms that some people don’t realise.

Another one for coeliac headaches with my DD (but she also had bowel symptoms - heartburn to be precise). Headaches were palmed off as viral.

He is 18 now and the headaches started about 18 month ago, fenuary half term 2023. He has seen a neurologist who diagnosis the NDPH.

He was tested for celiacs when he was 5 maybe 6. That came back all clear so I don’t think we have any worries there.

It is hard to know how to support him as I can’t imagine what a constant headache must be like.

Thank you all.

Hi! I’m an adult with chronic daily headache which started when I was around 12/13. The trigger for me was trauma from my parents’ divorce. A lot of types of head pain can have psychological triggers.

Some of the things that have helped me over the past 30+ years…

White Tiger Balm rubbed anywhere it hurts (don’t get it in the eyes though)!

Kool n Soothe Migraine gel patches

Chugging a can of Coke as quickly as possible (this is more for migraines than normal headaches)

Pinch of salt in drinking water

Magnesium cream/oil/supplements

Warm shower

Hot water bottles

Good sleep hygiene and regular bedtime and wake up times. Lie ins cause havoc!

If your children are old enough - Ibuprofen Lysine is the MVP of all the ibuprofens.

Try to avoid blood sugar spikes and too much ch sugar in general. Even if there aren’t any food triggers.

Thank you - do you have any respite at all or is the headache constant? If you always have a headache how do you manage to function - drive, work, go out with friends etc…

At the moment he shuts down when the headache flares up above his base level.

Have they had their eyes checked?

Has your child had a eye test?
Checked for Sinuses?

Poor kid!

StormingNorman....thats a great list of helpful ideas I have saved!

What investigations has she had? Bloods, eyes?

Aloe cool gel (gel frio), I get it from eBay really helps on my forehead, back of neck. It's pretty strong though, check a small patch first of you try it!

My diagnosis now is chronic migraine and in the past two weeks I have had some pain free days due to a new medication.

Other than that there is/was no respite. I had a base level daily headache along with neck and back pain and other sundry symptoms with flares three or four times a week.

I coped by giving up my career about 10 years ago after a particularly bad patch which lasted about two years. I now work PT in an admin role. This helps me manage the pain, I can still do my job when my brain isn’t cooperating and I can collapse in bed to rest in the afternoons when I need to. I also have a small business which also helps with the flexibility to manage my condition and take time off sick when I need it.

I also have very little life outside work as that takes all my energy and I need my free time to just vegetate and recover for the next day. Regular exercise does help if he can manage it though.

Its really important to find the reliefs and coping mechanisms outside of medication to help you live the fullest life possible.

I feel like I can kidnapped the OPs thread but this is incredibly helpful for me,

He has had an MRI and an endoscope down his nose. Very slight sinus infection but this was probably hey fever related and not considered off concern though he did have a course of steroids and nasal spray.

Eyes have been checked and keratoconus (cone shaped cornea) in both eyes that have been operated on. This is not related to the headache though just a coincidence that we found it at the same time.

@StormingNorman sorry to hear your headaches have had such a profound impact on your life. How can an 18 year old make steps toward adult independence with a constant headache! I encourage him out of the house when I can to walk the dogs - the only exercise he gets at the moment.

It is difficult but you adapt. You have to really as there’s no other choice.

If you haven’t already discovered spoon theory, it’s worth reading up on it. It really helps to understand the importance of ‘pacing’ so people with chronic conditions can manage their time and energy.

If the neurologist isn’t able to help, there are specialist pain management clinics that could help. There are also lots of Facebook groups for people living with daily headaches.