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

[Lost_Girl]

I think the moderator on Sherie's thread is correct. I think perhaps I have become too emotionally involved here. With my news today I think I will have a short break too. Will chat in a few days or so.

Kind thoughts

[Music_Freak]

I'm so sorry Carol, you are a too nice a person to have to deal with this.

I hope the break from hear helps you a little

[Moonstruck]

Looking forward to when we can talk again sweet lady - please come back when you're ready....I'll be waiting at the foot of the Faraway Tree for you! xx

[Lost_Girl]

I'm here. Just not sure how long my pity party is going to last. Just don't feel like talking.

[Music_Freak]

I know the feeling Carol...you do what's best for you.

If you want to talk, there's people here who care about you 🙂

[Lost_Girl]

Ok.

Pity party ended at midnight last night thanks to a dear friend who said, "(insert expletive here) the experts, why not prove them wrong". Ha! That's what I needed to hear. So today I choose to be the exception to the statistics. I plan to work hard to rid myself of these headaches by doing everything I possibly can to reduce them.

• Continue quarterly injections
• Continue physio and physio exercises at home
• Lose weight
• Strengthen core and exercise as and when I can
• See pain management specialists
• Continue ADs to keep me from slipping into darkness
• Accept it is hard waking up every day to this but do it anyway
• Focus on family
• Reach out via BB for support, especially for the ongoing depression
• Keep positive and become the exception

I've got this!

[Teetoe]

Yay Carol, go girl! You can do it! Love the 100% rule.

[Lost_Girl]

Hi Chris!

Lovely to hear from you and thanks. How are things with you at the moment?

[Emmy.]

Carol if anyone can do it its totally you hun!!! I like your plan. Hubby on board too? I'm sure he is. Your message has put a smile on my face. Here for you on this journey Xx

[Lost_Girl]

Thanks Emmy and Narelle and dear Moon for your words of support.

I'm all in on getting better.

xx