I suffer from daily chronic head pain. Maybe transformed migraine but most likely chronic tension headache. Has anyone had this and has been helped by anything.
46 Answers
caffeineshadow
10 Jan 2010
Yes.
Still unknown cause but I have had them since I was 5 and im now 18. I get migraines too. Topamax and solpadol with ibuprofen help a bit, but not much.
hugger96
16 Mar 2013
Topamax is some bad stuff it can cause you to have headaches. Plus causes other problems like kidney problems. I almost died from being on topamax. I suggest to get off of it. There is study's backing up what I juat said.
missy2
10 Jan 2010
i had daily headaches and magraines that sent me to the er until i started taking topamax and inderal about 15 to 18 years ago. i started on low doses and now i'm on 300mg of topamax and 160 mg of inderal daily and i can truly say that maybe i'll get a hint of a headache if things get really stressful around me but for the most part i haven't had a migraine in 5 years. hope this has helped you. missy
Tinyone
10 Jan 2010
thanks for answering. I actually tried a course of inderal for 6 months but it did not help. I have also tried propanlol , amitriptilyine, seroquel, tomapax and I have had botox shots to the head but to no avail. None of these meds have actually helped the constant head pain and there were so many side effects that for the last 6 months I just decided to do nothing. This is frustrating to say the least and I have been suffering for almost 4 years. The chronic pain is starting to wear me out. My Neurologist says I have a very stubborn headache and wants to put me in hospital and try running a lot of drugs at once. He claims he can get rid of the headache. Has anyone had this done with success?
Bhedge
9 May 2011
I just realized you didn't mention Flexeril, it is my goto med for the raging headaches. If you have tension-based headaches it should be in your cabinet.
Namik O.
16 Mar 2012
That is a lot of (dose) Topamax; that is the only one I have not taken yet for prevention, because I have kidney stones. I have Chronic Daily headache, up to 25 DAYS PER MONTH. Thanks to various supplements, my pain is not very strong now, but I MUST take medications as early as possible and lay down until it stops. The drug is Sumatriptan and in the past I used Ergotamin tartarate; both of these are harmful after long use (peripheral circulation, heart arythmia, etc). Beneficial supplements I have been taking: magnesium, Vit.B Complex, + Vit.B-6, fish oil, CoEnzyme Q10, vit C megadose, some herbs, etc.
I had migraine as a child and a neck injury
Dee30
3 Oct 2012
Tinyone, I forgot to mention that I have tried of the treatments you have mentioned on this post, same response. I know how frustrating it is! Did you go in to the hospital, as your neurologist suggested? I am curious what meds they would try? Did they try DHE injections? I tried it for 3 days in the hospital, it didn't help. I mentioned Lyrica before, it is for fibromyalgia, so it was quite a surprise when it helped my morning headache. If Lyrica has helped any other chronic headache sufferers, I would REALLY like to hear from you!! Thanks!
skepsel
18 Aug 2013
I was on Topamax and Inderal LA for years and then it just stopped working, thats what always happens to me, my body gets use to the meds.
Skepsel
Tbaker1213
8 Jan 2018
I have had debilitating migraines for 20 years .. always visiting the ER , nothing worked at home . FINALLY GOT SUMATRIPTAN (imitrex) injections and TORODAL , at home injections .. imitrex pill does nothing compared to the shots. Migraines gone in 5 minutes , they have been a life saver .. anyone suffering please try, you won't be sorry . Best of luck
Inactive
10 Jan 2010
Hey Tinyone, I used to have a headache everyday and I feel like it was a couple of things going on. I was on birth control pills for years and I really do feel that contributed to the headaches. I also ate alot of processed food and know that that causes migraines and I work as a hairdresser with my head bent over alot. I did cut down on the processed foods and no longer take birth control as I don't need it. The amitriptyline did help as well, I am sorry it didn't work for you. See if you can find some articles about the foods that trigger migraine and avoid those and it should help at least some. The birth contol pills are another matter, I personally would have rather had the headache than risk a baby I didn't want or need. Best of Luck to you.
Namik O.
16 Mar 2012
For my Chronic Daily hdch. (and migraine) - I was taking Amitriptyline for prevention for 5 years. One day it was found out I have GLAUCOMA even my vision is OK for my age; just use glasses for reading.
I went back to read about that antidepressant and found that is contraindicated for people *PRONE TO GLAUCOMA* !! I wander if the doctor who prescribed it to me (off label for that use in my country) WOULD BE LIABLE ??
missy2
11 Jan 2010
sorry that you have been through so much with your headaches since you haven't had meds for 3 months maybe a short hospital stay won't hurt. if you have good benefits, if not i know someone else mentioned a guide of food ect.of migraine triggers ask your neurologist for that guide it also helped me.
Elizabetta
16 Jan 2010
The pain of a migraine beats in rhythm with your heartbeat.
It hurts in one specific, narrowly defined area of your head.
It may or may not be preceded or accompanied by auras: flashing lights, strange smells, sensitivities to light & sound, nausea, loss of peripheral vision, etc.
If you're a female, it may accompany your menstrual cycle.
If you're a male, they may be cluster headaches, which also affect only a narrow area of the head, but do not beat in rhythm with your heartbeat, which is how you tell the difference between a cluster headache and a migraine.
Tension headaches are accompanied by tight, stiff muscles at the back of your neck near the base of your skull. There are pressure points where the neck muscles join the skull on either side of you spine. If you press around, you'll feel bumps or knots. They'll hurt when you press on them. Press gently, slowly increasing pressure, until the knots disappear. When the knots disappear, so will the headache. These are the same points used by acupuncture, adapted for non-needle use. There may be several knots, moving from your spine toward your ear, on each side of the base of your skull. There may also be some knots at the other end of the muscle, near nape of your neck, shoulders, etc. Do the same there. Again, once the knots disappear, so will the tension headaches.
For pictures and descriptions, look up "pressure points", "trigger points", "acupressure points" "tension headaches", "referred pain", "Travell & Simons" (the docs who made the breakthrough discovery available to all western med docs), "illustrations" and you will find detailed sites with the pressure points to apply pressure to for tension headaches. Some sites have clearer pictures than others, so look at many till you find one you like. All pressure points are the same on everyone, so once you find the point, you just have to learn how to manipulate it until the knot (of nerves, they believe) releases and the headache stops.
If you're taking painkillers of any kind, stop all of them immediately: you may be having rebound headaches, which occur when you take painkillers for headaches every day, even some that you believe are innocuous such as aspirin, tylenol, etc. Stop all painkillers, even herbal ones like willow bark, for one month. If the daily headaches stop, then you were experiencing rebound headaches caused from taking painkillers for your headaches. Your body became addicted to the painkillers (yes, you can get addicted to aspirin) and gave you a headache to get more.
If you have a sinus headache, bend forward: the pain should immediately increase, and it will be located in your forehead, cheekbones directly under your eyes, and upper lip right under your nose. These are the locations of your sinus cavities. For sinus headaches, don't take aspirin etc. or you'll get rebound headaches, try hot showers to clear the sinuses, sprinkle some essential oil of eucalyptus on a tissue and inhale it (it will open up your sinus passages in a few minutes and take away the headache), and try warm, wet compresses on your sinuses to break up the congestion. If you smoke, stop!
Another excellent headache healer for headaches of all kinds, even migraines (from which I've suffered all my life) is essential oil of lavender. Put a few drops on a tissue and inhale until headache is gone (3-5 minutes).
Essential oils are available from health food stores and some pharmacies.
As you can tell, in my life, I've had every type of headache there is, and often, unwittingly, made them worse (rebounders).
Hope this information helps and that you feel better soon.
Elizabetta
etoille
1 Oct 2010
Wow Elizabetta thanks for explaining the different types of headaches so clearly. I get headaches atleast once a week and have looked all over for info on them. Thanks again!
harleyhoney2130
19 Jan 2010
i was on topamax for migranes . i had headaces on a weekly basices at least two a week . it would scare my son he was only 5 years old . it would be so back i could not function he would take care of me when i would be sick get me washclothes and water . i am so glad my dr finaly got me on something that helped . i have not had a bad headace like that in a few years . i pray i never have anymore . i pray that god takes your headace away for you .
indigo415
24 Aug 2010
I can't believe that I forgot to mention Topamax. Bad stuff! I could not function while on this, couldn't read, write, think. It was so scary! I went back to my neurologist and told him about it. He laughed and said "yeah, we call it dope-a-max" Not funny, I had my infant twins to care for. I read lots about it and many have the same problems, but took it for a longer time and suffer from permanent memory loss. I have read few success stories, but I wouldn't have risked it if I would have read beforehand..I would stay far, far away from this!
Edwin L. Borden
5 Apr 2010
Fibromyalgia could. not sure how or why? Dr. asked me about my head-aches. when he told me I had othritous.+ Fibermyalia.
NAPLESROB
7 Jun 2010
I've had chronic tension headaches for about a year. Had an MRI on my cervical spine and it showed it being very straight. The radioligists conclusion was that I was have musle spasms in my back and neck and it was pulling on the muscles under my scalp. It is not painfull, but feels like a tighness/numbness around the top of my head. In the beginning it would turn into burning and moved into my arms. My Dr. has diagnosed it as Tension Headaches related to stress/anxiety and poor posture in front of the computer for 20 years. He prescribed me 1mg Xanax 3 times a day and Zoloft 2mg once a day. It keeps it under control. On weekends, when I'm relaxed, I don't need to take a Xanax in the afternoon. I use to get only 5 to six hours of sleep a night and now I get 7 to 8 when I take a Xanax before bed time. I also dream much more than I did before I started Xanax which tells me I'm getting a good deep sleep. I'm going to massage therapy and chiropractor and I hope eventually it will go away. I'm 46 and never had any headache problems in my past.
KATinSATX
12 Apr 2011
I had/have same issue with cervical spine, only my curvature had become completely inverted (mirror image) due to chronic muscle tension. A great masseur returned it to normal curvature in about 18 months with a combination of: contrast (hot/cold), vibration, electrostimulation, trigger point and fascia release, & gentle massage once tissue was hydrated with good blood circulation. You can't go wrong with a good Chiropractor either, imho.
Caution with that Xanax - it's only meant for short term and is addictive and has a rebound effect, especially for anxiety. I've found Xanax works well only to stop a panic attack. But Klonopin has a much longer half-life and has worked better for generalized anxiety and for deepening sleep. Still, only for short-term use though.
I see it's been a while since you posted. Hope you've found some relief.
terrison
24 Apr 2012
Hi, I'm new to the site, but I've had Fibro for 10 years and I've been getting migraines since I was 6yo. I'm 38 now. I take topomax 300mg daily, and use Immitrex for the headaches when they occur. I've also had sleep problems, especially related to the fibro, and I take Trazodone to help with that. I mostly wanted to comment here to say that dreams are not an indicator of deep sleep. Dreams take place during REM sleep, which is just below the surface of sleep. Deep, restorative sleep, which many fibro patients have a hard time getting to, is stage 4, or delta sleep.
Delta sleep is when we are "sleeping like a log" or "dead to the world", and if you woke up during this time, you would be confused, and have difficulty with balance for a minute. REM sleep, on the other hand, is very easy to wake from, and you may even hear what's going on around you sometimes. That happens to me a lot, when I'm dreaming, and then actually start dreaming about something related to the conversation that someone else (who is awake) is having! That will often wake me up.
I hope I didn't offend anyone by jumping in and commenting, being new and unknown. I've done quite a bit of research on sleep, owing to my own problems with it. I hope I was helpful, rather than offensive.
LiamOfFoxchase
28 Dec 2017
Your doctor had it largely correct--it's a muscle problem in your back and neck--then he prescribed Xanax? What was he thinking??? He determined that you have a muscle problem, so he prescribed something to alter your brain chemistry? Wow, this shocked me so much that I had to create an account and log in.
I learned earlier this year about trigger points and how trigger points in the SCM (neck) muscle cause headaches. I went for massage therapy for three months, and the headaches subsided. Trigger points in the facial muscles and jaw joint can cause a different type of headache, too.
Google an article called "The SCM Muscle: The Strangest Muscle in the Body.". Then, go to YouTube and look up self massage.exercises for the SCM muscle, facial muscles, and jaw joint (TMJ). Try a couple of the self-massage exercises for each area. If you start feeling a bit of relief (or pain points) with any of them, then start interviewing massage therapists to work with one who knows.
Good luck!
- Liam
DOWTONg
8 Jun 2010
GHD in response to your question. I have CDH(chronic daily headaches)and perhaps at a later date I will provide a 'cautionary tale' for those of a particular constitutional type which seem prone to overstimulation often leading to migraines and CDH. Here though, I would simply suggest that neither you, or anyone esle suddenly stop any medication without medical advice and support. I am deadly serious about this one fact. You might be taking a single medication or a number of them..the strength, type of..what they are prescribed for..all can lead to a DANGEROUS 'EVENT.' Unless otherwise instructed by a physician(or having a life threatening response to a medication), taper..taper... taper. There are ways of approaching this and a life style change may be required which requires a very attentive and comprehensive look at what you do and think in your daily life. I know. Hard to do when a knitting needle is slowly being pushed through one of your eyes, but as Marcus Aurelius is to have said: 'THE UNEXAMINED LIFE IS NOT WORTH LIVING.' GHD
Namik O.
16 Mar 2012
In mu experience I can say it is overstimulation because of strong reactivity of sympatic part of the (autonomous) nervous system; also heightened sensitivity to pain
Ann52
7 Jul 2010
I suffer frim headaches over 75% of the month, Relpax works great but its an expensive drug and my prescription plan only covers 7 a month. What can I do the rest of the month? I always wonder how many replax one could take a month? The doctors try topamax the generic didn't work, brand name costs 200.00 a month, too expensive. Now I am on Keppra for a couple of days? Wonder what's going to haqppen next! I will let you know.
kd14
31 Mar 2011
I understand. My Dr. gave me Zomig for my severe chronic migraines. 7 pills in a box and this is a months supply? Hello??? Is anyone listening to us? Please let me know about the Keppra. I am going to Shands which is our local teaching Hospital on MondY 4-4-11. I cannot wait
stratusphr
18 Aug 2012
Imitrex now comes in generic, works just like the brand name. Every ins is different on what 'they consider' a months supply. With Zomig I can get six, with Maxalt, 12 and with Imitrex, 18. At a support group I attended last month we were told that taking medication for migraines more than 13 x's can lead to chronic daily migraines. You can take 2 within 24 hours, but that does not count as two, it counts as ONE day. Just an fyi. This man is a migraine specialist here in Dallas and also suffers from migraines. Good luck, I hope you're doing better now.
GANNAWAY76
24 Oct 2012
stratusphr
CAN YOU TELL ME THE NAME OF THE DOCTOR YOU USE IN DALLAS?
Mclacombe
2 Apr 2019
I do have migraines everyday and one prescription of zomig didn't even begin to cover it. So now he has given me a prescription for zomig rizatriptan and sumatriptan and that does cover for a month. And my insurance pays for it.
Inactive
8 Jul 2010
I had everyday headaches. When MRI with dye was done, they seen a blood clot in a vain that had stopped an just stayed there. has been there for 4 1/2 years. headaches have gotton better so it must be getting smaller.
indigo415
24 Aug 2010
I suffer from the same thing. I have since I was 15. I tried all kinds of migraine preventatives over the past 11 years with no success. I am now prescribed hydrocodone 10/650's and I would not recommend them at all. They help for a few months, then they start to cause worse headaches, your tolerance builds up, then you become addicted to a medication that really doesn't help much anyway. They also gave me Migranal nasal spray. That does help temporarily but it is very expensive, almost $350 for 6 little vials.
melissab(twilightfan85)
24 Aug 2010
i wake up with a headache everyday and usually keep it all day. i take goody powders. thats it. i know they are bad for you, but it usually works fast to knock it out, it just doesnt last long. i think that my headaches come from the hydrocodone im on. i dont remember having headaches like this before i started the hydro about a year ago. i dont think its migraines... but it is chronic. i rarely get relief... i hope u do.
terrison
24 Apr 2012
Rebound headaches are common with the type of narcotic you are taking. I had CDH, too, when I was taking percocet 10/325 for fibro. My fibro provider switched me to straight oxycodone, and the headaches disappeared. I do still get migraines, however.
A69
28 Aug 2010
Yes mam, I do get headaches much too frequently and can not function when they are bad. I have not identified what kind of headaches I get, could be sinus, tension, migrane, could be from my back/scoliosis, my eyes, stress, anxiety, depression, anything. Headaches could come from countless causes, but I was really interested in freedom from pain! Just to stop the pain so I could function, without suffering. They seemed to be getting worse, more frequent, and then I also became very much more sensitive to light, to sound, and to everything, it's pretty miserable. All I could do is lay in my bed, in complete darkness and complete silence and pray for relief. Finally, I believe I have found relief and freedom and would love to share it with you. It is fiorinall with codeine and I am so excited that it works! It is my miracle and I pray that it will work for you. Good luck and GOD BLESS YOU.
I believe NO ONE should suffer and doctor's should care much more! The cost of health care is out of this world and because of that, way too many people do suffer and will continue to suffer, even with the cures, because if you can't afford the doctor appointment, the bloodwork, the xray, the medication-that is healthcare's way of telling us: "if you are poor, we do not care about you, at all, you could die and it will save us money because we will never have to care about your health ever again. But, if you have enough money to pay us, we will make sure u do not suffer, not even for a day." What is up President Obama? Yes we can, what? Continue to serve the rich and kick the poor to the curb? That is NOT very American. Money can buy anything, it can buy life, and being poor, will kill you. No one will help you if you can not pay them to, how disgusting. GOD is disappointed. We should love eachother as HE loves us, unconditionally. We should care for one another, we are ALL brothers & sisters and THAT IS THE WHOLE REASON WE ARE HERE, TO HELP ONE ANOTHER! NOT for how much money we can get from one another.
kd14
31 Mar 2011
God Bless you
jennybhurtin
13 Aug 2011
I have the headaches daily also. So glad you found a med that helps!
I don't like the way the healthcare system is, and have certainly seen it from different views. I do have insurance and get denied for treatment from the county services. My bills are outrageous and the calls from collectors just keep coming in. Thank God my hubby does have the family ins otherwise we would be bankrupt for sure. I am due for more surgeries and am scared to have anything done, still trying to play catch up on the past debts. :/
My aunt/mother who do not have insurance, can't afford the medicines even discounted. They are sent to a community hospital over an hour drive from home, they wait all day to be seen and are herded through like cattle. The docs don't have time to listen. Some just don't care and it shows.
Its really sad!
I don't blame the president, I feel sorry for him. This was a mess before he began and I'm with you on the treatment issues. Something has to be done, because there are so many folks suffering and dying just because they are poor. I wish I had the answers! All we can do is pray and get through each and every day the best way possible.
tglidewell
30 Aug 2010
I have had chronic headaches most of my life. A little over a month ago I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The stress of that diagnosis along with some personal family issues have had me so stressed that I had a constant headache for about 4 weeks straight. At first I thought it was a sinus infection because it was always in the same place and the side of my nose also hurt and the area under my eye would swell up. I was tried two different antibiotics, one right after the other, and Flonase. None of which helped so it was obviously not an infection. I take Fioricet for my headaches if I can catch them as they start, if they are in full blown migraine mode then I take Imitrex. Both of these would help for a few hours, but then the headache would come back. I am with you when it comes to Topamax. It was not good for me at all. It made me forget things (like where I lived, etc) it was very hard for me to work and they really didn't help my headaches.
About a week and a half ago my doctor put me on 50mg of Imipromine. It's an old drug (antidepressant), but it really helps me. I take it right before I go to bed and it helps me sleep. I have taken it before and it helped then as well. It also helps me lose weight. I feel much better. Meds work different for different people. It sucks but it's really just a matter of trial and error. You may even need to be on a combination of meds. Good luck! I understand what you're going through. I hope you find something soon!
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