I have had tension headaches for atleast 6 years now and with it when it gets so bad i get nausea and vomiting. I get stressed out alot due to my job and other matters which I worry to much about. I am currently on sertraline 100mg , and clonazepam, and take soma and ibuprofen for my tension headaches daily. there is not one day that goes by that i have not had severe neck stiffness/pain, pain in my head and sides of temples.
Tension headaches, insomnia, anxiety, anyone got any advice?
- Asked
- 31 Oct 2012 by newmommy2107
- Updated
- 14 Jul 2014
- Topics
- headache, anxiety, insomnia, nausea/vomiting, generalized anxiety disorder
Responses (8)
Thank you maso and you as well. Have a great one!
Good morning sunshine.
Newmommy:
The symptoms that your demonstrating it this time do not demonstrate whatsoever any type a tension headache then I have ever seen. what I would do is get a second opinion. I would try something like Maxalt (Rizatriptan Benzoate) that should be able to eliminate your headaches.
Hi newmommy,I'm not quite sure what the question is,so I'll just address a couple of your issues that I've dealt with myself. I used to have those "tension" headaches as well.I actually had them for over 20 years,and at times they got so bad that there was vomiting and sensitivity to light as well,and there was a headache every single day in all those years.When I started seeing my Psychiatrist in 1998,that issue was finally addressed.Seeing him was very helpful,as he was not afraid to prescribe a benzo that would actually help me both with the "stress",which was actually GAD,and through therapy, which allowed me to talk about the things that were the true culprits in my stress,worry,and anxiety.Perhaps unsurprisingly it was not the everyday matters that were trigering those headaches,but deeply hidden,and never talked about issues.I have been totally headache free for the past 5 years.I also take a muscle relaxer for my stiff neck problem.
I maybe able to add some new information that is hopefully helpful. It's all very cheap to free, but all of it will take you some investment of time. It sounds like you don't have much of that which probably causes you much of the stress you have. Anyway, here it goes.
1) Much stress is involved in what we all perceive as things we have control over, which we do not. If you take the time to write down those things that you have total control of, what you have some control of, and what you have no control of it gives you better insight as to how to handle it or let go of it. I am not one to sell spirituality but if you get some books at the library on whatever belief system you have or find local prayer groups you maybe able to "turn over" those things you have no control over. You can learn how to release your fear or worry to a higher power or to the universe or whatever works for you individually.
I can relate to your experiences. Along with oral meds, stress relieving activities, etc., my nueroligist gives me Botox for my migraines/tension headaches, as well as the severe muscle spasms in my upper back and shoulders, neck and for my cervical dystonia. I've been doing this every 3 months for about 3 years all covered by Medicare and its been amazingly helpful! I hope you find some tools to help you!
Your migraines sound like mine with the neck stiffness. Did you know that neck stiffness greatly exacerbates migraines? Mine were also severe so that I would frequently have nausea and vomiting. Your best bet is to get nerve block and trigger point injections which greatly relieve the neck tightness and pain. My severe migraines went away COMPLETELY for 5 days after the first set of 15 injections. I went off of 24/7 opiates and Tramadol. Then after the first 5 days, I just had to take those medications very infrequently. Also physical therapy can help you some, but not nearly enough if your migraines are so severe. It just is a good additive. But don't dig into your neck right after your injections or it can squeeze out the injections.
And you should be taking a daily preventative migraine medication, e.g. Topopmax.
I would not blame it all on stress. I didn't have any stress in my life. Good luck.
I had headaches with stiff neck, pain in my head and temples and sides of my face and nausea and vomiting for years everyday by noon or 1 p.m. and went to the dentist and found out I had a TMJ Disorder and also my Doctor gave me Topamax for the last 11 years and I haven't had them. I do feel the stiff neck sometimes when I catch myself clenching my jaw due to stress.

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Good morning my friend, have a great day.