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]

Emmy!

Of course! I am happy you are taking time to look after yourself. I hope things are going well xx

[Moonstruck]

Oh Carol....thank you so much for your love, encouragement and support in this. At times I still get a bit scared when I think of what I have signed up for - I wonder why I did? And I wonder sometimes why you have such confidence in me....I really hope I don't let you down.

When I'm engaged in it, I do enjoy it and afterwards driving home....I say Thanks, thanks for this!

I think it's only when my real life, problems re that job I didn't have the guts to resign over yet (told him this is my last, in fact I doubt I'll last the year) that I wonder why I added this activity to the list...but I did.

I'm sorry to hear that about your work...quite a blow, on top of everything else you are dealing with. My "problems" pale into insignificance beside your own.

Oh God it'd be so nice to go up the Faraway Tree again...into a Land where peaceful cooling breezes blow, no phones, no emails, no texts.....just calm music and flowers, and a trusted hand in ours. Coming with me?? x

[CMF]

Hi Carol, but i'll just keep plugging along.

I've meaning to catch up on your thread and thank you for your words of encouragement to me in the cafe. I haven't been feeling so great, alot going on.

I'm so sorry to hear about your flare up and you job going. I am glad to hear you are better than a year ago. That is a positive. How are your beautiful kids. Growing fast i imagine as are mine.

Sending you hugs and positive vibes.

Baby Steps x (aka CMF)

[Moonstruck]

Hi there beautiful girl. Are you OK? Oh God I hope you are OK - I wanted to tell you that our big game begins later this week - perhaps I can find Taurus somewhere and tell her too - just wanted to share it with you and thank you for everything!......here goes...........heeeeelpp!

All good wishes - huge hugs and peace to you......xo

[Moonstruck]

....the game's begun Oh Carol. Missing you, been worried about you - sending much love.....xo

[Lost_Girl]

Dear Moon,

How wonderful that your games have begun and I read elsewhere that you are shining just as I knew you would. I am so very pleased for you. How long do you play for? It must be so wonderful.

How are you coping with everything? It must make life quite busy. Did DS catch your first game?

I haven't been very good. I have some more hope. On trying to use a sleep apnea machine and finding I couldn't, my GP found an issue in my nose. I saw an ENT and turns out I have a deviated septum in my nose as well as "unusually large tonsils". I have an operation scheduled towards the end of April to have the nose fixed and tonsils out. This will help me breathe better at night and should stop the apnea. In turn Dr Pain says the improved sleep should help the headache. A nurse friend I have says deviated septum can also cause headaches even though the ENT did not say this. I am hopeful for any level of improvement though it sounds like a long recovery. 2 weeks where hubby will need to be home and another 2 where I will still be under the weather. Still all very hopeful.

Do tell me all about your games xx

Hey Baby Steps,

The children are wonderful and yes, growing so fast. We have been busy with looking at high school for the eldest. My daughter is becoming such a lovely lass. She has a wonderful vibrancy. My youngest is like a sponge, curious about everything and wanting to learn. They keep me busy.

I am sorry to hear you are not doing so well. I hope things are starting to improve.

Me xx

[CMF]

Hey Carol,

so lovely to see you. You have henn missed but I'm sad to hear you have not been doing well. I do hope the surgery alleviates your headaches and gives you some relief finally.

wow high school already, exciting times. It lovely watching them blossom into young women. My little miss starts school next year. Time just goes by too fast.

so good to hear from you, I hope you do get some relief from the surgery and we hear some good news from you soon.

take care

cmf (I went back to my old initials)

[Emmy.]

Hi Carol. I have sleep apnea too and use a machine. Did you use a full face mask? When I got it the lady noticed im more of a mouth breather so recommended the full mask.

Also have a deviated septum but to scared to have the surgery, I'd be interested to hear how everything goes afterward. I had my tonsils and adenoids out in my 20s (also had my uvula cut out as I'd often swell when I was sick and I'd find it hard to swallow / breathe).

REALLY hope all this helps with the headaches Carol xx

[Lost_Girl]

Hey Cmf,

I miss you guys too. I will try and get on more often. I just haven't felt much like talking and life has been busy too. Aww we will both have a kindy kid next year!

Hi Emmy,

Yes, tried the full mask but as soon as I would get tired enough to sleep I couldn't breathe through it. I am keen for the surgery, anything that might help reduce the headache.

I will let you know how it goes. Have you always had the deviated septum or was it caused through a trauma of some sort?

Me xx

[Airies]

Hi Carol,

havent seen you here for a while unless you are posting elsewhere. Hope things are ok. Thinking of you

cheers LenM