Chronic tension headache diagnosis and long term management

[Lost_Girl]

Hi I suffer from chronic pain. I have a bone shard impacting a nerve root at c8 being treated with cortisone. I have pain at c5 and c6 that is manageable without anything. However I have a constant headache and pressure in my ears that I have had for pretty much every waking moment for the last 7 months. As a result I have become depressed and I have insomnia.

After a trip to a neurologist I have been advised to cease sleeping medication and strong pain killers. I am now only on antidepressants.

A visit to my psychologist today has alerted me that depression does not cause headaches.   

Has anyone been treated for chronic pain with ONLY antidepressants and did it work?

I havr a referral now to a psychiatrist to check but it not until May. While I see if I can find something earlier I sm keen to hear if this has worked for anyone.

Thanks,

Carol

[blondguy]

Good Morning Carol

I read your post above.........that is so sad. And as you know I cant help with your pain.

A big HUG for you....

Thinking of you Carol

Paul xx

[Guest_5218]

Morning Carol,

I actually tried to respond to your post last night around midnight. I got home from my meeting around 11pm and was wide awake, so spent some time posting a few replies. Unfortunately the one I wrote to you got 'tangled up in the system' and was lost. So at that point I gave up.

So another attempt today, and hopefully this one wont get gobbled up into cyberspace.

So the gastro tummy upset was caused by the different pain meds? Makes sense, strong pain killers can upset the tummy or the opposite, cause really bad constipation. Not sure which is worst. ( - : Plainly neither is good. But nor is the prospect of only 3 hours relief from the pain.

Your children sound like perfect little angels! If ever there is such a thing. You and your hubby are obviously great parents and have raised them right. You are so lucky (as well as deserving) to have such an understanding and capable husband. Your best friend and rock will always be there for you. Once this dreadful period of your life is all better again, you will be able to repay his love, faith and care twofold.

No wonder he is tired, with his work and then needing to do some of the household duties as well. Plus he's probably getting interrupted and limited sleep as well, because you're up all hours. It would be very difficult for both of you.

Oh well, the 26th is getting ever closer ................ hang in there.

Kind thoughts, and all the hugs you need.

Love Sherie xx

[Lost_Girl]

Hi guys,

I read your comment Paul then re-read what I wrote and it does sound very sad but I am ok really. I don't feel as sad as my writing sounds. It helps to write down how I feel so I thank you for supporting me and taking the time to read it.

In reality I don't seem sad, I laugh with the kids and enjoy talking to hubby. I enjoy the tv that I watch and the happiness of my kids playing. I am luckier than a lot of people. What I have is not that bad in the big scheme of things. I have hope and while the pain is constant it is not the debilitating horrid pain people get like poor Pixi or cancer sufferers etc. I am quieter than normal and I don't smile as much. I look tired and hubby often asks me what I'm frowning about but it's just the headache and I don't realise I'm doing it.

My psych appointment went well. He agrees I am no longer depressed which is nice to hear. I still have some anxiety issues that we are working through. These largely relate to work and haven't been top of mind because I am not working. He has given me more strategies on relaxing and I have a chart to track my moods now so I can self-check. Apparently the chart is normally used for bi-polar.

Dear Sherie, you are an angel. Yes the appointment is getting closer. I am trying to not get my hopes up too much as realistically whatever it is will not be solved quickly. In addition I am trying to psych myself up in case he believes as the other neuro did that ADs are the way to go. They reacted so badly with my body that I am not sure how I feel about the idea of going on new ones if that's the solution. Here I am worrying in advance again. Will stop now 🙂

Getting sleepy, nap time soon.

Watching the kids playing in the sunshine. They are making up creative games and writing the instructions on an etch a sketch lol. My daughter has all 3 of them now wearing witches hats for some reason. They seem happy.

Cheers,

Carol

[Guest_5218]

Hi Carol,

I must say I am glad you're not as sad as what you sounded yesterday! You really did sound very down. What you say is true though, no matter how bad we think we have it sometimes, there are so many others that have it all so very much worse. Sometimes is comforting and a grounding to remind ourselves of that sometimes. Although I must say, you've had a very 'rough trot' over the past 10 or so years, what with one thing and then another!

Just a thought? You say your hubby catches you frowning sometimes. Have you by any chance had your eyes checked recently? I know you read, do craft, tv, computer, etc a lot - so it can cause extra eye strain. And although I'm sure its not the root cause of your headaches, it could be contributing to the severity. Sometimes its the simple things .......

Glad your psych appointment went well. A mood chart - does he think there's a possibility of bi-polar now? I hope the new relaxation strategies are helpful. If they are, please pass them on ........ ( - :

Yes I realise that even once the neuro apt finally comes around, that you probably wont get an immediate answer. And even when you do, it may not be a quick fix. But just knowing (once you get a diagnosis) will have to be a huge relief. To know, is to have power. So rather than feeling powerless, and at the mercy of medical people who so far dont have a clue, you will finally be able to participate in developing a plan of attack. No matter what the diagnosis is.

Enjoy your nap ......

Sherie xx

[Lost_Girl]

Hey Sherie,

No, not bipolar. Just tracking my moods to make sure I don't slip back into depression. I am back to where I was before I became depressed and with limited pain relief it's just about making sure we recognise any early warning signs just in case. Mood wise I feel ok but it's good to self check particularly when I don't realise how sad I sound like in my writing last night.

Hubby is having a well deserved nap so I am trying to keep awake. Have put a movie on for the kids in case.

Carol xx

[Lost_Girl]

Hey Sherie,

I meant to answer your questions not sure why I didn't before.

I agree about the eyes. I keep wanting to get them checked but when I have hubby to chauffeur we are always juggling other appointments around my sleeping. I am short sighted already and have glasses. I am pretty careful to do eye exercises periodically (habit from computer work). I do feel more strain though but not sure if it's headaches causing it or the reverse. I still struggle to read much. Reading posts here is enough to make my headache worse. Reading medical articles is normally a skim because I struggle to retain the information anyway. I miss reading....proper reading. I am a big book person. My house is filled with bookcases and books. My friends laugh at me for having so many and yes I have a kindle too haha.

Hope you are ok.

Carol xx

I can't drive unless I am awake and not dopey from meds. I am hoping within the next week to find that proper morning and I'll have to then go without pain relief at all and see if I can drive safely to get there. Either that or I have to wait for an opportunity with hubby. Things are challenging now as I am unpaid and he has no leave left either.

[Guest_5218]

Hi Carol. Just been wondering how you got along at the Hawkesbury show today? I must have read it on the Cafe thread, as I cant see any mention of it here.

Do you see your GP again tomorrow? How are all the symptoms going? Hope you're managing some sleep during those 2-3 hour reduced pain gaps.

Have you managed to find an opportunity to get your eyes checked yet?

Sherie xx

[Lost_Girl]

Hey Sherie,

Thanks for checking in. I will post on your thread soon. I have been thinking of you all weekend as I know Mon is a big day.

I couldn't manage on those pain meds....had to swap back. Between the pain and how they were knocking me out I was pretty much sleeping 24 hours which is just no good and I could feel myself starting to get very low again. I am back on the longer ones and my tummy probs are back but I prefer that as a short term thing until I see the new neurologist.

On the upside last night I got to bed before 1am and slept until 9am...that was good. Unfortunately I played on the wii with my son the other night and my shoulder as nd neck are so painful.

We went to the show and the family had a wonderful time. It was very relaxed and carefree just what we needed. I had to have break through pain relief in the middle of it all. It was rough on me but I am glad I went. I will write a walk thing on it when I feel better. The whole thing is a little clouded right now as I am in agony and hoping the pain meds work soon along with Anti-inflammatories. Ahhh it was worth it though. Hubby even massaged my feet and legs tonight. I can't sleep because of the pain haha oh well the things we do hey. I wouldn't trade it. I really needed the day out, it has done wonders for my spirit.

My GP is on holidays but I saw another tonight just for pain meds. I saw my psych the other day and he wants to wait until after the neuro visit now for the next visit.

I haven't done the eye thing but depending how I go I will try tomorrow with my eldest 2 along with me or Tuesday getting hubby to take me. I think it's a really good idea.

I really appreciate your friendship Sherie, you are so lovely and you have the best memory!

Off to your thread now xx

[Lost_Girl]

Hi all,

I had my visit to my new neurologist today. From the first moment I felt more comfortable. He started with "talk to me". He believes that they are tension headaches and thinks the best treatment may be injections that are made in my face and head, not sure how much I can say about that.

However in order to have those injections I must have failed 3 alternative treatments of which I have had two so far with SSRI and SNRI's. To this effect I have been put on a new type of med. This one is an anti-convulsant typically used for epilepsy but also can be used for migraines, bipolar and obesity. He chose this as he felt it may also assist me with weight loss as well as the chronic headache. If it works within 4 weeks then I cancel the injections. If it doesn't I will stop it and then satisfy the condition for the injections.

Unlike the last neurologist he does not want me to stop the pain meds. He said if by taking these new meds I don't have any pain in the crossover of the pain meds from morning to night then I will know they work. He said we only want to change one thing at a time for meds so we can see clearly the effects. I am very happy this is the case as I don't think I could cope again without the pain meds.

In addition to these, he wants me to see a dietician (which is a good thing as I have gained 20kg since I had become depressed). He wants me to do pilates and an aerobic exercise.

He wants me to continue with the psychologist on various relaxation therapies. He showed me some studies on the scientific benefits of these on headaches, that was interesting. I mentioned I have a psychiatrist booked for mid May which was the earliest I could get in. He wants me to keep the appointment. He thinks looking at the issue holistically is the best approach.

Looks like I am in for a health overhaul to go with my new hair and glasses etc 🙂

I was able to ask the questions I had of the last neuro and this one patiently explained what the other couldn't. I was very grateful for this.

While I am nervous about the meds I feel 100% more confident with this neurologist.

A much more positive outlook.

Onwards and upwards.

[blondguy]

Dear Carol...I just read your first paragraph....and there is nothing I can really say about that either...ugh!

It is a huge relief that you have found relief in your new Neurologist.....thats a huge bonus. I wont give you any advice as I have not had the same chronic pain as you have been going through.

Some good news though...Approx 5 years ago my mum went in for chronic 'neuralgia'....sharp (evil) stabbing pain from the temple to her jaw....she has had 4 kids and I have never seen her like she was. (the only fix for this was to cut the nerve between her temple to her jaw which can result in half of her face sagging below the other)

She has the same GP as I do and he put her on "anti-convulsant typically used for epilepsy but also can be used for migraines" and it took about 3 months but the chronic pain did go away Carol..I even asked the GP why she was crying all the time and he told me what you just wrote and I copied & pasted about the anti epileptics.

I am really sorry that I am as handy as a rubber shovel right now Carol but I had to respond to try even a 'tiny' bit to help.....

I know you have a crackerjack caring husband which is the best help you can get. I just wanted to let you know that you have my support if you need it

I am very proud of you....if thats okay..

Paul x