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

[Wednesday]

Hello sweetie,

I've always thought your posts articulate and thoughtful. I've not noticed any problems with them. Don't be so hard on yourself, chronic pain and three children are a lot to manage. Come to think of it one of those is more than enough to manage! Don't judge yourself dear one, you wouldn't do that to anyone else.

You help many people on the forums I'm sure no one is judging you for anything other than your sweetness and kindness. Your children must think they hit the jackpot with you, I always enjoy reading about the things you are doing or planning with them.

I hope today's trip to the pain specialist is very helpful. It is hard when you feel so low, baby steps.

Lots of hugs, you're in my thoughts. xx

[Music_Freak]

I haven't noticed anything wrong with your posts either Carol, continue as you are, it is more than enough that you visit us here with all you have going on

I hope the appointment goes OK and you get something from it, you deserve it.

We all have those face palm moments, I think it's somewhat normal when our brains have a lot to process 🙂

[Lost_Girl]

Thanks so much Wednesday and Narelle. The medication is slowing me down and I don't feel comfortable but I really appreciate the reality check. It is good to know it's not obvious. You are both very sweet.

My 4 year old helped make some mome raths for the wonderland party. They are two different coloured paddlepop sticks glued together at the top so it's like an inverted v. Then you stick some coloured feather on top and 2 googly eyes. Simple but cute. Alice encountered them in the woods.

Hubby took me to the pain specialist. He was great, I wish I had seen him earlier. I have a pain management book to try and read, writtwn by pain specialists in Sydney.

He has given me a new anti-epilepsy medication to take on top of my ADs. He hopes it will helo with relaxing and sleep.

He has prescribed a patch pain med to replace my current strong pain meds. He feels this will give more consistent pain relief so I will not get peaks and troughs. I start both tonight.

He wants me to continue with physio and the botox injection treatment. He wants me to see the psychologist through his office to work through some techniques in the book and specifically desensitisation therapy.

He mentioned another treatment which requires admission to hospital for up to a week. In this treatment they use a transfusion to manage the pain and also help with removing dependancy on the strong pain meds that I am on in case those meds may be contributing to the chronic pain. I expect we will discuss more on this at the next appointment in 6 weeks.

He took time to explain his thoughts and the information was consistent with my neurologist and physiotherapist. That makes me feel more confident. I felt very positive about this dr.

He took time to talk about my depression and how it interacts with the pain. He was very kind.

All very positive.

I still feel very low but my logical self is pleased that things went well with the meeting.

My 4 year old is upset with me because he came out with "what the heck", picked up from sitting with his brother watching minecraft youtube videos. When I told him it was the wrong word and he instead needs to say "What on earth" or just "what the" or "oh my goodness", he said, "I don't like Mummy anymore, she is not my favourite. I am not bad behaviour, Mummy is bad behaviour". Bless him. Hopefully he changes his mind tonight.

Me

[Music_Freak]

I'm glad the appointment went so well 🙂

Kids around that age are so cute and funny. I think it's their lack of inner filter that helps 🙂

[Wednesday]

Hi Carol,

I'm really pleased with the description of your doctors visit, a bit presumptuous of me though! He sounds great with lots of ideas. Isn't it nice to see some light at the end of the tunnel. He sounds organised and thoughtful with a network of supportive services that may help, phew!

I love your Mr4 he always sunds like an absolute gem.

Hugs, xx

[Lost_Girl]

Thanks Narelle,

Yes, master 4 is a treat. I am back in the good books.

Wednesday, not presumptuous at all, it's lovely that you care. I am pleased too. I am very hopeful for good results. I am excited to try this new patch, even the pharmacist was telling me of the benefits over my current meds.

Thanks for the hugs lovely.

I will check in with you on your thread xx

[Emmy.]

Carol this doctor sounds like just what you need 🙂 Especially that he considers all aspects eg the pain, medication and your mental health. How do you feel about changing your psychologist? Would be interesting to learn about the desensitisation therapy. I hope you're feeling a bit more positive hun. Big hugs. Miss you. Emmy xx

[Guest_5218]

My dear friend Carol,

I am so happy to read today that your appointment with the pain specialist went so well. It must have given you a much needed boost to your morale.

How has the new medications affected you so far? I note you've already started on the new anti-epileptic meds to help with relaxation and sleep. Hopefully this means you are getting some degree of sleep quality again.

And the pain patch for a more regulated flow of medication sounds like a very good idea.

It is also good that everyone seems to be on the same page too. Very reassuring that all your medical team seem to know what they are talking about and that they arent trying to work against each other.

You must be feeling a lot more positive after all that Carol? I am anyway. (-:

Kind thoughts and a big hug.

Love

Sherie xx

[Lost_Girl]

Hi Emmy,

Oops, can't type well. Have a little numbness in my fingers and tongue from meds but hope it will settle.

Feeling very out of it, stoned. However, hardly any pain!!!!! It is such a relief. I think the pain relief might be too high and that's why I am so out of it. However I can't begin to say how nice it is to have a break from the pain. Crying happy tears.

My old psych told me he didn't need to see me anymore. I don't think he had the right knowledge of how to help me. Seeing one that specialises in pain seems sensible. I am good with change.

Oh dear, I can't type much more haha. Taking ages correcting all my typos. I feel great today but too dopey to do much. Everything frels heavy including my eyes. Think listening to a bit of music might be the go.

Keep breathing Emmy. Remember your safe place is with you. Remember you are safe and loved.

Big hugs to you too lovely. Here for you xx

[Airies]

Hi Carol,

a bit behind the 8 ball here. Another with no issues with your posts. Articulate, honest and thoughtful. Great to hear that you are finally going your way. This specialist sounds a gem. There are a few gems amongst the medical profession. It's a matter of finding the right one.

They are few and far between but when you find them you know..

A few minor tweaks, a positive approach, it all sounds fantastic. You've been threw so much.. I'm bitching and moaning because of a arthritic left knee. Pretty trivial compared to you. Great that you are pain free.Things are finally going right.Its been a long and winding road and through it all, you manage to do what you do and continue to give, even here during your darkest moments, putting yourself before all others.

all the best, hugs, may it continue to go right for you 🙂

cheers Len