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 Elizabeth,

Thanks so much for the advice.

Funnily enough I hadn't considered exercise in water other than swimming. I shall look into that.

Taking things slow is something I do need to work on and you are right ot is hard when I want to get back into sharing more quality time with the kids but you give some very good advice.

My shoulder injury is fully healed and the other pains in my back and neck are either nerve or tension related. Both physios have advised that there's nothing I can do to hurt myself in terms of exercise but to ease back into it and listen to my body as you suggested.

The chronic headache, pressure in my head, dizzyness and pain are what I find most restrictive. That and lack of sleep. They prevent me from getting out. However I shall just have to try and push a bit harder and hope that by doing so, the exercise helps improve the sleep etc.

Thanks so much for writing to me.

How are things with you now you have your house back?

[blondguy]

Hey Carol

I have no advice on your chronic pain and its residual effects..the pressure...dizzyness...

I know you are a strong and beautiful person Carol...if I may give you a teenie gift...just some lyrics to Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush's track 'Dont Give Up' (I know you wouldnt...its just a thought)

Don't give up
'cause you have friends
Don't give up
You're not the only one
Don't give up
No reason to be ashamed
Don't give up
You still have us
Don't give up now
We're proud of who you are
Don't give up
You know it's never been easy
Don't give up
'Cause I believe there's the a place
There's a place where we belong

Songwriters: GABRIEL, PETER

Don't Give Up lyrics Sony Music

My Kindest Thoughts Carol

Paul

[Lost_Girl]

That's so beautiful, thank you Paul. You are an absolute sweetheart. You really do make me feel better xx

I am going to take a break from being online for a few days. You make sure you take care of yourself and eat regularly ok? Look after Barry for me too. I am glad Sherie has started checking in on him too. Everyone else has the cafe as a failsafe.

I am ok, just need to try and refocus and get myself able to get out of the house and start doing these things I need to do to get better.

Will check back in a couple of days.

Hugs xx

[Guest_5218]

Okay Carol, I fully respect your decision to take that break and try to refocus.

I'm going to really miss you though, as will many others who you have helped drag out of their pain and despair. You've been that reliable ever present support everyone looks forward to hearing from and treasures. Thats certainly the case for me anyway. (-:

Anyway good luck with getting everything in order for the new and improved you. Always here when you need an ear. Hopefully talk again in a few days. Take good care of you.

Hugs to you, and much love and deep respect.

Sherie xx

[Lost_Girl]

Just made me cry in a good way 🙂

I shall miss you too. Just a couple of days.

I am sorry you're not sleeping again. This is part of my decision to have a break. Maybe I need to not have devices at night. I am just so exhausted and I am losing my days and that makes me sad. Especially the weekends with my kids.

Take care you. Speak soon. A couple of days will go quick and I know you will be looked after xx

[Guest_5218]

You could be right. I read recently that its actually 3 hours prior to sleep that you should close down all electronic devices. Not the half hour or so that is more widely thrown around.

I hope it makes a difference to your sleep patterns, and family time.

Maybe when you do come back you need to set firm guidelines (just like you'd do with your kids) and only log on during the day or something like that? Food for thought .........

And dont worry about me, I'm okay.

Sherie xx

[Guest_5218]

Morning Carol.

I know you're taking a break, so please, even if you happen to be checking in here, please do not respond.

I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you, and hope you're doing okay.

And to offer you a big hug.

Sherie xx

[Guest_5218]

Hi Carol. I see you have been online today, but only very briefly. In fact I only saw you on my thread? Did you really only come on to post to my thread? Arent you a beautiful lady! I'm really touched, honestly. I have saved that website you mentioned to my computer as a favourite and will read it tonight. Thanks for thinking of me and passing it on.

How are you getting along? I hope you are managing to make some decisions, and put plans in place, to benefit you in the short term. The longer term decisions may have to wait for a few weeks until you know if this latest medication is going to be beneficial or not. But at least you have an appointment in place for the 2nd June for injections if needed. Thats only a month away. (-:

Wishing you relief from pain. Hugs to you.

Sherie xx

[Lost_Girl]

Hi there,

I have been checking in on you Sherie to make sure you're looked after and I can see everyonedoing that so that makes me happy.

I only posted to you and another suicide thread that I couldn't leave.

I am really struggling with pain for some reason, maybe from doing too much as I have been trying to be more active. Big catch 22. Must go. Thankyou for thinking of me.

xxxx

[blondguy]

Dear Carol

I wish I could absorb some of your pain as I have none.

Big Hug xx