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]

Hi Len,

I wish the drs did have magic wands. I told my GP that I just wanted a magic pill to make it sll go away. She looked at me like I was a bit crazy, ha! Maybe I am 🙂

Sorry to hear you've been through so much pain too and now with your knees. Is there anything you can do for that?

You're a tough cookie too Len. You can get through this too my friend.

Hugs xx

[Lost_Girl]

Ha! Narelle, you made me laugh.

I wish it were thst easy that I could give the pain the finger and it would go away. Hahaha. Nice one!

Thanks for looking in on me. Having a few tough days I am. I was very pleased to hear of your progress with MYOB and it is lovely to see how you and Emmy are supporting each other. You both deserve so much happiness xx

[Lost_Girl]

Hey Paul,

Hugs to you and that big dog of yours. I miss his pic actually.

Me xx

[Lost_Girl]

Dear Blue,

Thankyou so much!

I typed siggestion in the anger feed and it made me feel angry when I noticed it after I hit "Post". Haha.

I needed to hear the words you shared. Thankyou for the inspiration. Some days it feels easier than others (insert subliminal U2 music playing in the back of my mind now.... Some days are better than others....)

That is an amazing effort by your Grandfather Blue. I hope he didn't suffer too much in that time. Lung cancer is nasty. My Mum was told 3 months with her lung cancer after having had chemo and radiation and lasted another 15 months longer than that. The human spirit is amazing.

I value your friendship and your inspiration very much. I wish things were easier for you right now xx

[Lost_Girl]

Hi Emmy,

You are so sweet. Thank you for checking in on me when I know things are tough right now. My hope for you is that you continue to have more good hours than bad.

I was do pleased with your Dad's response. Just keep talking to your hubby and Dad. Let them care for you lovely. You deserve to be loved.

Me xx

[Lost_Girl]

My lovely friend Sherie,

You said, "I would love to be able to support you better, and wish there was more I could do. But I know you can do this anyway, even without any of us.

I actually just wrote a poem with you particularly in mind. I hope you will read it at some stage. I will post it to my thread, as that is the appropriate place for it to be."

You have supported me so well for so long. Just having someone there all the time who continues to have empathy for me is a blessing. I don't think I can do it without you and the others here. It helps knowing that I am not alone in the sadness and despair I feel at times. That I am not the only one to fall into a dark place, that there is hope to get out. Sometimes I just need regular reassurance.

You mean so much to me as do the others here in our little group of regulars. What a wonderous group of kind hearted souls who just need to be heard, to be valued and loved.

Your poem was so beautiful, so heartfelt and honest. Thank you. I am blessed to know you.

Much love xx

[Airies]

Hi Carol,

you are just a beautiful soul.you have an innate way of conveying warmth,hope,intelligence,and strength in the human race ( at least amongst the Beyond Blue community). You are so giving and I along with many others feel privelaged in knowing you here.Please hang around!

i have a really good relationship with my GP. Been seeing him for every little and major ailment over the years but on my last visit

he brushed off my nightmares and troubles sleeping with an off the cuff comment. I guess he's only human but luckily at the time for once I wasn't over sensitive.Had it occurred at an earlier visit id have no shame in saying I'd be a crying mess which has happened before.

I've just worn my joints out and age,increased weight and lack of activity have taken their toll.And as for the last year I've bee absolutelly floored and one of the best things is Beyond Blue.

I've had to have an easier day.A family function,meeting some friends and pottering around the yard on consecutive days has floored me.i had work nightmares last night and my usual meds aren't doing much. They leave me drousy and I float.its a fine line between pleasure and pain

I can feel it coming on,chronic headaches and the feeling like someone is stepping on my neck. We are all in the same boat here. All I can say is thankgod all us folk here

we can lean on each other here and together we soldier on.As much I am blessed to have a wonderful wife and children, people here understand, relate.

The human spirit is amaysing.

You are strong, tough and resolute as well:)

You and the other regulars here are the best tonic out.

i consider myself a newcomer here but my day isn't complete if I don't visit here.

Hope you are having a better day

cheers Len xx

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Dunno how inspiring I am, but I try and encourage where I can. Glad I could be of some help. You're right that some days are easier than others, with our respective battles. I don't think Grandpa suffered too much in those years. I was three when he died, so my knowledge is all second hand, there. I only hope my other half keeps proving the doctors wrong, too. So far so good. It can be hard knowing the person at the centre of my world has such a serious condition. Mostly I don't focus on it, but when he gets puffed and exhausted from just changing bed sheets, it's highlighted a bit and I worry. He has such a good attitude to it though, and just gets on with his life. I think that has a lot to do with why he's doing so well, and I'm proud of him.

Sorry, rambling a bit there. My mind is all over the place, tonight (chronic multi-tasker syndrome I think). I value your friendship too, more than you may realise. Thank you for being there, and for just being you.

Blue.

[Music_Freak]

Carol, you areso sweet to reply to everyone - I would have probably lost track!

I'm surprised how OK I am lately, I hope you and everyone here could feel that. I must admit though, that I am waiting for everything to crumble around me

Whatever will be, will be, I guess

[Lost_Girl]

Hi Narelle,

I have noticed. It is lovely to hear you sounding so positive. I hope you continue to feel better each day. Don't feel disappointed if you have a low here or there. It seems to be part of depression, the highs and lows. Remember you have a support network here for both.

Yay you! Very happy for you. I have read lately that having routines is good for improvement. I am trying to work on one for me, just a few things we do regularly at set times to give some structure. Maybe you can too. I think my first one will bd trying to eat at regular times. It us hard when I am up so late unable to sleep.

I have taken my super medicine tonight and it is not even taking the edge off my pain so I will just go with the flow. Hubby will work from home today to support me. I am not a fan of being so dependent on him but very blessed to have his help.

Have you looked at a list of goals yet lovely?