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 Ava,

You are a treasure. I am trying very hard with the positive thinking and visualisation. In addition I am trying repeated positive behaviour for the rewiring. It all makes sense, thank you so much.

Yes, I saw that experiment on tv with the fake hand, it was amazing. I hadn't considered the implications of it until now though. The one I saw was done on a public street where the booth was set up and they just got random people passing by to join in. The brain is amazing really.

My physio and the pain specialist have both given analogies of similar types to do with how the brain processes pain. It is frustrating but definitely fixable hey. Patience is not my strongest virtue. 2 years later and I am still hoping for a quick fix (shakes head at self).

I like the fire fighting visualisation. I think that might work. I have tried retreating to my "safe place", bodyscans and some other meditation exercises but I always end up fixated on the headache. By bringing the headache in to the visualisation in terms of fires I think that may really help.

You are helping me so much more than you may realise. You have made a big difference to me. Thank you so much for your support. Hugs xx

[Wednesday]

Oh dear Carol you are so sweet, thank you for your kind words.

Patience, what is that?

Two years is long enough and you have tried everything, so an A plus and universe of gold stars. No self criticism please!

Hang in there those neural pathways will strengthen. I use the fire fighting visualisations even when I go to the dentist and I am so busy putting out fires that I don't notice the time or the filling.

Good luck, Hugs, xx

[Moonstruck]

Dear Oh Carol - just had a thought - remember how I sort of said to CMF, "this one's for you" when I finally ventured into the beautiful healing ocean....as she was encouraging me to do?

Well last night I went back to my "bowls club" - again I felt at home with "my tribe". Next time I play a really good game there, i.e. an important tournament with lots of onlookers (if they want me that is and if I can get the courage up???)

.....I'll say "this one's for you" Oh Carol.....would kind of make up for your not being able to actually come up The Faraway Tree with me at the moment??...........Hoping you are finding some relief....much as I love little black Storm in the photograph..I miss your lovely smile. xx

[Lost_Girl]

Oh dear Moon!

That is the absolute sweetest thing. What is this wet stuff leaking from my eyes? I would love that Moon. You just made my day and of course you know how much I love bowls.

Awww happy heart pains bless you xx

I will change my pic just for you xx

[Moonstruck]

You're back, you're back!! (Not that I thought you ever went away)...yes that's the gorgeous face I remember.

Re the lawn bowls...can I still do it Oh Carol? Can I play a much bigger game this time? Last time, which took so much courage and doubt and overcoming fear was only a small game....they are excited that I am thinking of playing again, but can I do it again? Am I too old, too beaten down by "real life".. I want to do it again, so badly....I'm a bit scared...you know I am scared...perhaps this is all just bravado, a sham, perhaps I am kidding myself..........

[Lost_Girl]

Dear Moon,

Of course you can!

Remember how easily it came back to you, remember how good it felt? It was like finding your comfy slippers and dressing gown.

You excel at playing the game. You could never be considered old dear friend as you are beautifully young at heart and that is special and will shine out from you in a radiant glow.

The good news is that you are so good that noone will know you are scared. You can bring the scared here and let it all out and I will look after it for you while you go out to play.

I wish I could be there to watch, I am sure I would be your biggest fan. I will instead babysit the scared for you.

Ps. Think of being beaten down by real life to be a muse. Suck that horrid stuff in and turn it into a beautiful game 🙂

Luv ya xx

[CMF]

Carol,

You've had some great help from Ava, I hope it helping you, what a beautiful person to share that with you.

I'm with you Carol, Moon can definitely do it! I hope you see this Moon, we are all here to support you in getting back to where you were and where you want to be

cmf x

[Wednesday]

Hello Lovely Carol,

How are you going my friend? Tell us what is happening for you at the moment?

Warm hugs, xx

[Lost_Girl]

There it is.

That moment of consciousness.

My eyes glued shut but the dream beyond reach.

The weight of my limbs pins me to the bed.

The ache washes over me like high tide - nowhere to run.

I can hear the pressure in my ears, an audible fog.

The vice on my scalp tightens and I freeze.

If I could just close my eyes tighter, could I sleep again?

Mouth open, air rushes in.

I am breathing.

I am waking.

I am here.

[Wednesday]

Wow Carol,

You are so very clever, thank you for your poem, one day to be part of a book I hope.

Dear one I am so sorry that you are still struggling with pain. It is horrid to go to the next medical person and know/hope that they have the answer, then go along with whatever they say and find it is not meeting your expectations.

Getting back to my earlier mould question... When you have a moment, look up Mold Illness | Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker. It may or may not apply. He is in the USA and has successfully treated 7000 people. He now has a person rained in Australia. You need to have the HLA gene, of this 70% of people have susceptibility to the biotoxins and 25% of them end up with the condition, it also covers Lyme disease (not recognised in Australia but we do recognise tic disease. I can explain more if you like, I just don't want to be pushy.

I'll carefully cover you lovey one with a beautiful soft blanket so you can rest a little more, hugs, xx