persistent headache ... driving me CRAZY!!!

[imaginaryfriend]

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?

ahhh - just re-read and see that your mum and dad moved south some years ago - doubtful I'd know them, in that case

Strangely enough I've just been getting involved in searching for my family tree (via lots of help from some mnetters on a family tree thread) so I've become really interested in the whole Grindleford connection. When I was a child we often went walking around that area and splashing through the river Burbidge (spelling?) I though it was a beautiful place. I don't think there are any family still there now but if you come across the surname Lodge or Thornhill you never know!!

you're not anything to do with Thornhills the chicken famrers are you? (not a question I ever thought I'd see myself write on mn!) They lived in a village called Great Longstone, which is where I lived from 0-6. We used to be quite good friends with them. I was always jealous of their rocking horse.

Not a question I ever thought I'd get asked either . Well, truth is, I might be for all I know. My father's mother was a Violet Isabel Thornhill who married into the Lodges. But she had about 5 sisters and 6 brothers all of whom might have gone on to farm chickens and have nice rocking horses. I'll let you know more when I piece together more of the family tree. We may even be vaguely related, no? Hi siss!

Well this family tree searching will distract you from your headache IF! no signs of labour from me yet btw... plenty of v strong painful BH's though, wish he'd make his mind up!

It's a shame you don't feel confident enough to try those meds if they'd help. Would you like me to see if I can find anything particular out about them or is it just a general concern over taking prescribed meds following your previous bad reactions?

Have you considered temporal arteritis?i have just been told i may have this after being plagued with a strange headache for years

LC I've tried to find out stuff about the meds but it's all quite vague, they seem to be an anti-epileptic drug with general neurophathic pain relief properties. But they make you VERY drowsy and I'm so mostly alone with raising dd I don't know how to manage that symptom.

NH I've read a bit about temporal arteritis in my various headache researches and I thought it was generally one-sided pain in the temple area? Mine is rarely one-sided, usually over both eyes / eyebrow area and behind the eye ball as well as at the base of the neck / top of the spine area.

I've also been finding that the pins and needles in my foot have not only spread to the other foot more but I'm also getting constant shooting pains in my left leg and foot, really quite nasty. I can't help but worry about it all.

Sorry to hear about the pain up your leg. Have you had any luck yet getting in touch with the MRI scan results from the neurologist? If not then it really is time to start stamping your feet with the GP. I was thinking that maybe your GP also didn't understand your home situation when s/he prescribed that medication for you? There should be a tel number on the information sheet enclosed with the meds - if you ring the company they should be able to give you more in depth info on the side effects, for example what percentage of people actually experience drowsiness (The meds I take say that they may make you drowsy but I find I'm not affected that way). If there isn't a phone number let me know the name of the company and I can get one for you (hopefully!).

I didn't even take the prescription to the chemist, LC, it's still in my bag. I was thinking that another reason I'm avoiding taking them is that until I know what's 'wrong' as it were I don't feel like taking something which is no cure just a means of masking the pain. Does that make sense?

As for MRI results it's so frustrating I still haven't successfully got through to the neurologist's secretary. Always voicemail and never returns my calls. I've tried leaving messages with other neurologist's secretaries too but they also haven't responded.

I was also meant to be sent for a further test in the neurophysiology dept. to measure the electrical impulses getting through to my feet but I haven't even received an appointment time yet. Each time I call they say I should receive it in the next couple of weeks. AGGGGHHHH!!!!!!

Sounds like you need someone on your side in the system really badly, I can't believe they're being so slow. If your GP won't do anything to chase this up for you (and they should be anyway not you, grrrr) the next port of call might be your local MP surgery, might sound a bit drastic but you'd be heard!

If you haven't got the prescription yet than why don't you have a proper chat with the pharmacist about your concerns? They're the best qualified people when it comes to medications, they know loads more than GPs. I completely understand why you don't want to take meds without knowing they're the right thing though, that's the same reason I turned down beta blockers for my migraines before they were diagnosed, strange isn't it - you know they might help but you want something 'specific' and a proper diagnosis.

Got fingers crossed for some progress for you this weeek - might all go quiet from me for bit soon, due in a few days...

That's so exciting, LC. Do you feel more prepared than with the first one? Having only had the one I can't imagine what a second birth is like. Good luck. I'll be thinking of you.

I'm very very tired... here's why:Alexander James ! He arrived early on Tuesday

Fantastic! What wonderful news. Are you ok? Was the birth ok? You must be in that blissful hypnotised zone of newborn-ness at the moment. Enjoy every second.

Hi IF! I've returned to MN - knew I couldn't keep away for long. DS2 has now settled well into a nice routine and I have my lunchtimes and evenings back - yay!

How are you doing - I'm really hoping you've got somewhere with the neurologist by now and that you're feeling better?

...and that you're still watching this thread!

Wow ... that was quick work with ds2! It took me an age to even think about routines with dd. Though I imagine I'd be more efficient if there were a no. 2. How's the new one then, is he gorgeous?

Believe it or not I got nowhere with the neurologist still and am still waiting for the other test he's sending me for. I've had lots of other things going on though so I haven't been able to focus on it. It hasn't gone away though! Still struggling lots with my eyes too.

Hi IF, just letting you know I was thinking of you - how are things going?

Been really busy as I'm sure you can understand so just been on post natal threads and getting BF advice. Life slowly returning to normal though so have a bit more time for posting now