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]

Hahaha, nice work Matt!

[Airies]

Hi Carol,

you sweet thing, I've said before your blood should be bottled. My BB friends have helped no end. All went well with psych, reducing some meds slowly, resigned that I will be on some meds for good but that's ok, but even though it's only been a few days have noticed a immediate reaction as in requiring less sleep, not having vivid nightmares and waking up more alert. A double edged sword possibly with the meds and some of my earlier symptoms were a side effect of the meds. Little baby steps continuing.

Carol I could hardly imagine you offending anybody. I do love the sound of your designer specs. I do want a pair,

Great that you are venturing out and experiencing the normal things. I am too and it's grand, as our world expands once again. Something normal folk take for granted but one we have battled to reacquire.

if you want to see a good flick , watched La La Land, pleasantly surprised I loved it and an see why it's been nominated for so many awards,

Hugs and I hope you not suffering from lockjaw.i find getting a haircut puts me to sleep,

hugs and hope things continue to go good

Len xox

[Lost_Girl]

Dear Len,

Ahh the joy of a little more clarity. I know how good that can feel when a little of the fog clears when you reduce meds. I hope it continues to go well. I am truly happy to hear you are getting out a bit too. It refreshes the soul doesn't it.

I did watch La La Land. I loved it! My type of movie despite the bitter sweetness. I am very fond of musicals and I thought they did a wonderful job. I am a big fan of Emma Stone, she brings a lot of life to the roles she plays. I intend to buy it as soon as it comes out so I can watch it over again. I hope that they bring out more musicals in this type of style. A little bit of class!

I am having a bit of a setback this week. I popped on here to find some inspiration and in reading people's threads I have found such a lot of positives in dark times. I have found inspiration indeed.

Take care xx

[Wednesday]

Hello dear one,

Look at you go! Rehabbing, woo hoo, out to movies, designing new glasses, you little entrepreneur! Does this all mean you will be up to going back to work? You brave soul you have my admiration.

I am thinking that the kid lets are safely ensconced in school and you have warned them not to be in contact with any germs that might mean they need away off school? Great then enjoy your space and freedom once more.

Oh and if your really lucky I will not eat all the chocolates, I've hidden around the thread. This week we are eating hand made Japanese chocolates, with designs of geisha's, birds and flowers on them, each is filled with something mouth wateringly delicious, sake, matcha tea, lemon and other yumminess. Now the idea is that they are so yummy I wont have to eat them all and there should be at least one or two left for you. No no not to share with the ankle biters. Oh quick Carol I'm hopeless at ignoring beautiful chocolate and then there are the non stop steroids you know... 😉

Hugs, xx

[Emmy.]

Hey Carol

Hope this week has been a little kinder to you.

I read that you loved La La Land ...me too. It was like the good old movies hey. Off to see Lion tomorrow. I've been told to take my tissues.

Big hugs to you Carol. Love Emmy xx

[Lost_Girl]

Hi Ava,

I had a couple of weeks where I had felt progressively better, had been able to get out for short periods at a time and I even got my hair done and took 20 years off by dying my hair. This was all with the headache still there but a little more manageable.

However things have had a bad turn. I fell at home and grazed my knees badly, this has now healed. Then my headache got worse again and wouldn't abate. I saw my pain physio and he said it was just a flare up and it will pass. It doesn't feel like it is passing. Today I woke and almost immediately had muscle spasms in my left shoulder at the back near my shoulder blade.

In those couple of weeks where things felt manageable I had been very positive about getting well enough to return to work. My OT has opened up conversations with my work. I am feeling very vulnerable right now. With the headache worse again I had been wondering how on earth I am meant to work through it and now I have the muscle spasm I am feeling devastated.

The OT has this plan that ends with my return to work and it is progressing along but even when I am physically a little better in terms of being active, the headache is still there.

I will go and see my GP tomorrow.

Haha, yes. Ideally the kids are wearing masks to avoid germs 😉 I don't think I could deal with a cold. Actually my worst fear is lice, the idea of having to comb my thick curly hair out with the headache is horrifying. A girl in my daughter's class has had them already so we are on high alert.

I found one of the beautiful japanese chocs but it looks too pretty to eat though I am sure I will give in later, I find choc hard to resist too.

I really feel for you with the steroids and with the need to shift again to a new cocktail of meds. I think of you often.

Storm had a haircut and when I picked her up she looked like a different doggy. Gone was my super fluffy mini mat and instead a beautiful lean classic cavoodle.

Much love xx

[Wednesday]

Hello dear Carol,

I’m glad that you had a few weeks were life looked a bit brighter and you can’t go wrong by looking 20 years younger. I must get the name of your hair dresser!

Oh sweetie a fall bloody hell! I hate the falls and such things. It’s no wonder that you feel vulnerable it has been a huge scare. It wrecks my confidence too.

Maybe as your physio says you are having a flare up and it will settle. Did the physio suggest anything to help with the pain? Is it worth a call to the physio to talk about the muscle spasms, maybe have it massaged out?

Have you tried an Epsom salt bath? I can’t quite recall the numbers but it takes something like four times the energy for your body to release a spasm than to make one, tricky of it. The fall and your neck spasm is just going to have to contribute to your headache. I have Epsom salt baths (2-3 cups in the bath) and it really helps, I buy the stuff in 25kg lots! Basically you are increasing the magnesium in your body, it is adsorbed through your skin quicker and effectively.

Baby steps dear one. I love that you had some positive time, its evidence that you are heading in the right direction, this is just a stumble and your confidence has taken a battering. Be kind to yourself and please don’t give yourself a hard time, it will be all right.

Oh Storms first haircut, aww. It’s hard to recognise that it is same dog isn’t it, they look much bigger with all the fluff. As I write I am being delivered a (now eyeless) teddy bear to throw, love it.

Ugh head lice, the joys of having children, or maybe not. Okay all children need their heads shaved promptly.

I’m totally over the meds. I have had some more test results back that seem to be confirming the CIRS stuff, so maybe if I can get that under control the other meds will work……

Lov and hugs, xx (all out of chocolates).

[Emmy.]

Sorry to have been so quiet for so long. Hope you understand xx

[Moonstruck]

Hey Lost Girl....I've been wondering where and how you are. I have missed you and thought you must be in a bad way...I never know what to say to you to cheer you up or be helpful for your pain problem...because I really don't know anything about the things you have been bearing for so long.

I will never forget you though....you've probably been missing any "news" and "clues" I put up occasionally in various places to some new friends I've made on here lately...about my big tournament coming up.

You've been so supportive of me in this venture, and it's getting closer sweetheart! Wish you were going to be there with me! I know you would feel very much "at home" there wouldn't you?

I think I'm doing OK so far...the nights I have off are precious as practising is really making me super-tired. (not as young as I used to be ha ha) Well it's fact isn't it? Our older bodies slow down, but the mind is still sharp and it is a wonderful opportunity for me.

I drive home some nights saying "Thank you,thank you for this.....".......(I am saying Thank you and I haven't really won the race yet have I? Still on the upward climb.....I will get there won't I dear Carol??

Wish I could be as supportive towards you, as you have been to me.......forgive me? Take care...luv u xo

[Lost_Girl]

Dear Moon,

I am sorry I haven't been here. I will try and get on more often. You are wonderful you know, you always make me smile. You are a great support, you don't have to understand the pain to be that. You are perfect just the way you are.

I have been in pain. I have had a flare up and it is hard as I had a few great weeks and it feels like I have gone backwards. This is not true of course as I am much better than a year ago. I just had another of my quarterly treatments and I hope it will help. I have also been diagnosed with mild sleep apnea. I am trying out a machine to see if it will help the headache but it is hard to get used to using the machine. Perseverance is key apparently.

On top of this I have been doing everything my OT asked of me, including talking to my work, only to find that my role is to be made redundant. It just takes away something to look forward to as I really loved working.

I am very excited about your tournament. I wish I could be there to cheer you on. I would love it for sure. I bet I would get goosebumps from the excitement of it all.

You will be amazing Moon. I have every faith in you. It sounds like a lot of hard work with your practice sessions. I bet it is lovely being in such good company.

I shall go have a read and catch up on all your news.

Much love to you dear friend xx