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persistent headache ... driving me CRAZY!!!

166 replies

imaginaryfriend · 06/08/2006 21:40

I've had a tendency for headaches over the last couple of years but nothing like this bugger of a headache I've had now for 10 days solid. It's there when I wake up in the morning and apart from the odd hour of respite when the neurofen plus kicks in, it's there all day. It's painful over my forehead like a heavy weight above my eyes and the back of my neck is achy and stiff. I feel a bit dizzy and disorientated and a bit sick. No fever or anything like that.

Has anyone else had a long-lasting headache? Any miracle cures?

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imaginaryfriend · 10/09/2006 20:30

lc, I'm going to try to see the GP on Tuesday morning when dd's at school and there's a good GP on the emergency surgery. They may hate me for taking up an emergency appointment but otherwise I'd have to wait over 10 days for a normal booked appointment.

Thanks for listening to me grumble. AGAIN!

The links you sent me about cervicogenic headaches were very interesting - do you know what kind of treatment you could do for that? Or how it would be diagnosed? I couldn't find that aspect of information about that kind of headache. I've googled it a few times, just wondered if you kind of knew as you seem to be such a headache expert.

And how's the pregnancy? Are you ready for the big day???

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liquidclocks · 11/09/2006 11:19

Grumble away! I'm not an expert, please don't think I am - just spent years trying to figure out what was wrong with myself - and the specialist patient training has been helpful. Good to hear you're revisting GP, hope it's a helpful consultation.

If it was cervicogenic then the root of the problem physically lies in the neck and the headache is 'referred' pain - like when someone has heart truble but feels pain in their left arm. The cause of the original problem could be stress, (not unlikely in you case with all that's going on), illness (eg arthritis) or injury (eg whiplash). I have a friend who has these sorts of headaches (and it does sound similar to what you describe) and she has found a number of things helpful. She finds massage very helpful (DP any good?) - particularly deep, kneading type massage, the light stuff might make you feel worse. Trouble with massage though is your muscles get so used to being 'wrong' they don't like being made right again - for this reason I'd combine massgae with going to see and osteopath - a good one will do both for you. This can be expensive though and you'd need to commit to a few sessions to get lasting benefit. The NHS version is physio but I think they're not specialist enough personally (unless they've had extra training or have a special interest in headache). My friend also has chinese acupuncture (western practitioners though), as do I, and we both have found it helpful. If you like I can see if I can get my practitioner to recommend someone in your area.

Just realised I'm esay writing again - sorry! nearly there...

This is definitely a personal thing but one thing I swear by is Tai Chi, if you can't do that Yoga - and DD could go with you to those. They both involve lots of work on balance, posture, relaxation and stretching and are just really healthy things to do generally. If you decide to try them though tell the teacher about your suspected neurological problems though just in case they'd want you to avoid certain things. My DH does yoga (when he can be bothered) and I do Tai Chi (when not pg!), neither of us would swap so I think it's just finding what suits you.

Pg is going well, thanks for asking - maternity leave starts on wednesday (thank God!) and I'll be 38 wks on thursday. Breastfeeding network has sorted me out with medication to take when baby arrives too so fingers crossed all will go well in that dept. Looking and feeling like a whale - definitely ready to pop!

foxinsocks · 11/09/2006 11:35

poor you imaginaryfriend - I hope the GP can help you tomorrow xx

imaginaryfriend · 11/09/2006 15:42

How thrilling, lc, re. the birth! I'll be wishing you all the very best.

Thanks again for your long reply. The longer the better as far as I'm concerned. Did your friend find her headache affected her eyes a lot?

I'm SO fed up, I can't tell you how fed up I am. The pressure and pain on my forehead and eyes is now preventing me from even conversing while looking at someone across the room. And no pain relief seems to be helping at all. My eyes only feel ok when they're closed.

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liquidclocks · 11/09/2006 17:12

IF - yes, my friend, like you, finds that the only reprieve is sleep. She says her eyeballs ache constantly and feel heavy.

Definitely talk to your GP about some long term medications tomorrow and that you're concerned about overusing over the counter stuff as at this point I really think you've been on it long enough for there to be a possibility it's hindering rather than helping - and it doesn't sound like it's helping much anyway.

I really hope s/he can help. - now go get some rest

thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 11/09/2006 18:31

good luck for tomorrow lf. Let us know what happens.

imaginaryfriend · 11/09/2006 20:57

I'm so grateful to you all for being so damned nice when I don't even know you!

lc, I don't actually take all that much pain relief because I haven't found it helps at all. I take a neurofen plus or two in a day when there's real pounding, sickening pain. But mostly when it's the pressure / heaviness in my eyes no pain killers make a difference so I don't bother. I've tried also taking one of those Syndols at night time but I don't think it helps much either. I'm reluctant to go on tricyclic ad's because I was given them a number of years ago following the death of a close relative when I was depressed and they made me so unwell - I have very low blood pressure and so I felt constantly dizzy and very weird. I've never tried beta blockers though, could be worth a go.

Is there any possibility of getting osteopathy on the NHS? I had about 4 months of physiotherapy last year and it was helpful but certainly no cure. I also went once to a chiropractor but he said I'd need to see him 3 times a week and at £50 a visit it was way beyond me. What I really really fancy is a bloody good massage...

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thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 11/09/2006 21:38

IF - glad you're still checking in. I remember so vividly when I was in a similar situation and it's so horrible - I find myself clicking on health threads quite a lot and try to be supportive if people are worried/having tests/suffering from something as yet unexplained - cos it sucks. again, good luck for tomorrow.

imaginaryfriend · 12/09/2006 15:35

I saw the GP who says I need to get the neurologist's secretary to fax the MRI report over to her. She's sending me for a neck x-ray - will that be any good for detecting cervicogenic headache??? And she's given me some medication to try called pregabalin. Anybody know anything about it?

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thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 12/09/2006 16:38

I hope the secretary comes up with the goods asap - all a bit a nightmare - imho you really need to hear the results from the neurologist, rather than your GP, but GP now-ish is better than neurologist in january. Don't know anything about the headaches/neck x-ray. Out of interest, whereabouts are you? - just ask in case by any long shot you're the same health authority as me. I'm in Kingston.

imaginaryfriend · 12/09/2006 18:45

hatwoman, I'm SE London, Southwark is my borough. Did I see your name down for the Christmas meet-up? I've had my name on the list for ages but now quite worried I won't be up to it.

It's all very unsatisfying, especially as the neurologist's secretary hasn't returned a single one of my calls and is either taking a long holiday or leaves her phone permanently on voicemail.

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foxinsocks · 12/09/2006 18:48

why do you need to get the neurologist's secretary to do that? Why can't the sodding GP or his/her secretary do that bit??

It all sounds v unsatisfactory but at least you have some medication that might help - I guess the X-ray will also help them spot if there are any issues with your bones.

imaginaryfriend · 12/09/2006 18:55

I know, fox, that's what I was hoping. Honestly if it turns out somehow that this is all stress-related, this process of 'cure' has done nothing to help.

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liquidclocks · 12/09/2006 19:05

Hi IF - the neck x-ray is your GP covering all bases. It may show something, but more than likely it wouldn't because even if the pain was originating there it would more likely be muscular than skeletal. The meds you've been prescribed sound like your doctor is going down the route of thinking your pain is neurological as it's used for pain resulting from nerve's not working properly or being damaged - it may help your leg too. Give it a go, I'm not sure how long you need to be on it to feel effects but it's one of those that if you don't think it's working you shouldn't stop suddenly. Hopefully it will help because in theory, if you inhibit pain through nerves then your headache should lessen too. Will keep my fingers crossed.

I'm disappointed your GP asked you to chase up the secretary, if you haven't managed to get her within the next few days I'd ring your GP surgery receptionist, let them know what the GP said and that you need the results and can they do anything - NHS admin inner circle IYSWIM - worth a go!

Finished work today so about to become even more of a MN addict!

imaginaryfriend · 12/09/2006 19:18

Hi LC. Wow, time to put up your (swollen?) feet?

How would you diagnose a cervicogenic headache then? I think I've worked out that sitting down upright seems to make everything worse. Lying and walking seem better. Not a conclusive or even very helpful observation, but still ...

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thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 13/09/2006 09:17

yes IF - I should be going, all being well. I hope you're up to it. One thing I've found with my dealings at Kingston hospital is thta at first, it's awful - you feel you don;t know your way around the system, but at some stage you'll find an ally. And once you've got one they can be of enormous help. If the neurologist's secretary isn;t returning your calls have you tried the dept that carries out the MRI scans - I think it might be radiology. Or you could just go to the hospital switchboard and ask to be put through to the MRI people (in Kingston the MRI scanner is almost a dept in ints own right - privately run, own reception, own appointments etc). Good luck

imaginaryfriend · 13/09/2006 18:21

hatwoman, how will you fit your mn name on a badge??? I'll look out for you if we both make it.

I'm off to get the neck x-ray tomorrow afternoon all being well. And I've been googling pregabalin but can't get an angle on what it's for / how it works / what side effects I might suffer.

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liquidclocks · 13/09/2006 18:56

I am feeling v of you both as I live too far up north in sticks to get to any christmas parties

You'll just have to fill me in on gossip

IF - found this on wikipedia for you, don't know if you'd seen it already. The fact it works with patients who have fibromyalgia is a good sign that it works as a general pain reliever.

Hope the neck xray is OK, it's nothing like your last scan so sure you'll be fine. Don't know how to diagnose specifically cevicogenic headache, I think you'd need agreement from physio/osteopath that your neck was playing a part in the pain but because you don't have the MRI results back yet I think they'd be reluctant to diagnose yet.

Thanks for the feet up advice - they're not swollen but my hands are - weird!? Biggest barrier to relaxing is DS who along with DH has man-flu, obvioulsy they're both dying...

imaginaryfriend · 13/09/2006 21:43

Where up North are you lc? my mum's family are all Northeners. Dp has also just had some man flu but has been surprisingly stoic about it this time! Thanks for the link, will check it out now. Hey - keep me posted, if you can, about the birth?

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liquidclocks · 16/09/2006 14:49

Hi - sorry, been out for a few days with a migraine myself, come-down headache now I've been able to relax as I've started maternity leave, feel much better now. I'm from Lancaster - moved here to study for my first degree, managed 8 months away when I'd finished but by then my roots had become quite strong and I moved back, married DH and had a baby! I do love it up here so don't get me wrong, it's fab having a 10 minute walk to fab restaurants pubs, clubs art cinema, shops, mainline station etc then 5 mins walk in the opposite direction it's open countryside. Just sometimes I want to go to parties...

How are you this weekend? I suppose it's too soon to see any effects yet from the new meds but I hope you have time to rest and chill out. Where are your mum's family from then? I hope you do feel better enough get to go to the christmas meet-up.

imaginaryfriend · 17/09/2006 21:07

It must be horrible to have a migraine and be so pregnant. AND with a little one in tow already! I find my headaches make having fun with dd much harder.

Most of my mum's family are from around Sheffield / Derbyshire. But we've been darn Sarf for AGES now.

I haven't actually started the meds, too bothered yet by the possible side-effects. I'm a real drug-phobic. And still no news from the neurologist.

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thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 20/09/2006 23:13

IF - just wanted to check how you are. hope things are ok. I'm from Sheffield/Derbyshire myself - whereabouts are your family?

liquidclocks · 21/09/2006 11:23

Thought I'd say hello too... hope you're ok. Started the meds yet? Any difference?

imaginaryfriend · 21/09/2006 15:05

I haven't started the meds, just not sure what they're about to be honest. And no news from the neurologist so I'm still in a bit of a limbo.

lc, any contractions yet?

hatwoman, my mum and her family were from somewhere called Hoylake I think (I've probably spelt it wrong) and Ecclesfield. My dad's family were from Grindleford. I still have quite a lot of family around that area and generally spread over Derbyshire. My mum and dad moved South when they married. Where are you based?

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thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 21/09/2006 19:11

erm quite possible I know your dad's family! I'm from Grindleford too - it's quite a small place. If not me then my mum could easily know them.