Chronic tension headache diagnosis and long term management

Lost_Girl · ‎02-03-2016

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 · ‎19-10-2016

Hi dear Carol,

Just wondering how you are going, I think you had a doctors visit around now?

Lots of hugs, xxx

Guest_1055 · ‎19-10-2016

Hi Carol

Thought I would give you a hug too, right after Wednesday's one.

Love Shell xxx

Wednesday · ‎21-10-2016

Hello dear Carol,

I'm hoping that life is treating you well, the doctors appointment went well and that you are busy and don't have time to come post.

Hugs, xx

Airies · ‎21-10-2016

Hi there Carol,

I echo the sentiments of others here and hope this finds you in a special place. Been thinking of you, heartfelt hugs from me to you, hope to hear from you when you can,

cheers Len xox

Lost_Girl · ‎24-10-2016

Hi all,

I am sorry for being absent though as I write that I know you'll all say that is ok. You are all so important to me.

I had such a terrific week away then the following week at home I had the children at home on my own. I started having issues with being incredibly lethargic and it got so bad I couldn't stay awake. I pretty much slept the Mon to Wed. My GP thought it to be a virus. On Thurs I felt more awake but I went to sleep Fri 2am and didn't wake again until 6pm that night. I pretty much slept the following week away until I saw the pain specialist.

Ok so Dr Pain (as I call him), believed that the pain patch I have was too strong. He also said that he believed that the patch had broken the cycle of addiction to certain pain meds because of the improvement in pain. He had previously talked about sending me to hospital to wean me off the medication. So he reduced the strength of the meds. This is based on his belief that the original cause of my pain has healed and I have a rebound headache from the medication.

He said reduce one type of med then in two weeks stop it altogether. He said the pain might come back a little at first but should ease.

Well from day 1 of reduction my pain is back in full force at around a 7 out of 10. The next day it felt more like a 6 but I realise I have pressure back in my ears as well.

Well despite the pain, I actually felt much clearer in the head that day so I was more active that afternoon and managed to either pull a muscle or have a spasm in the left back near my shoulder blade (not my normal muscle spasm spot). So now I have extra pain on top of my normal pain. My body is still wanting to sleep a lot but never at the right times. I am feeling very sad to be in pain agaib. I had a couple if very low days but I am doing better today. I keep reminding myself it is meant to get better.

I haven't been feeling very chatty but I miss you all and think of you all often.

Much love to you guys, you are all amazing.

Carol xx

james1 · ‎24-10-2016

Hey Carol,

I hadn't seen you post much but I saw your name come up every so often so I thought it best to wait for you to post here first. Been missing you in your sick absence 😞

It sounds like you're in a bit of a bind between pain and lethargy, and not really knowing which one's better or worse. Sorry I don't know how to help, but it sounds like you're getting a lot of information from your doctor/s so that's good.

Anyway, I thought I'd just post here to remind you that you're missed and I always like hearing from you, when you feel up to it.

I hope this week the pain drops from 6 and gets better.

James

CMF · ‎24-10-2016

Oh Carol,

i was so happy for you that you were feeling better and I feel so sad that you are in pain again. I wish I could do something to rake it away. You are so strong to keep plugging along.

i do hope it starts to reduce for you. You are an inspiration.

big hugs

Cmf x

Lost_Girl · ‎24-10-2016

Dear James and cmf,

Thankyou so much. I don't feel very inspiring:-( I will pop over to your threads xx

Wednesday · ‎24-10-2016

Hi Carol,

Oh my gosh I am so sorry to read what a rotten time you are having, Gentle hugs for you sweetie.

I know I mentioned this while ago, but I found some help with functional medicine (go google). I understand that it is the most scientific update form of (western) medicine. It works by checking body chemistry with various tests not generally used by your average GP.

It's not cheap, but then neither is life of living with pain. It definitely helped my food allergy issues and slowed my inflammation problem. It gave me a genetic profile that helped me understand why I was vulnerable to various issues. The blood (and other) chemistry helped identify where I was deficient in various things and why my body would have trouble absorbing vitamins etc. I came away with a long list of useful information and recommendations.

Unfortunately I was bit late age and health wise getting there. I still use soy milk, which I was supposed to have stopped. I haven't followed up properly with the functional GP, she is so popular it's hard to see her and I need to get my act together.

However, it's just a thought. I hate to think that you are in pain and trying to manage your lovely family.

You're in my thoughts, take care, here's hoping your doc was right and the pain is reducing.

Gentle hugs, take special care of you, love Ava, xx

Lost_Girl · ‎25-10-2016

Thanks so much Ava,

You had mentioned it but I had forgotten. I have taken a copy of the info this time. I desperately want Dr Pain to be right but I am worried now. I will start looking into this and look at waiting lists etc. If it will take a while I will look into booking in.

Were you on medication when you had the tests?

You are so thoughtful and so incredibly kind to me given all that you are going through.

Thanks so much xx