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

[Wednesday]

Hello Carol,

It is scary when you start wondering about the doctors, hang in there. Remember the baby steps.

As for the functional medicine the tests vary and they will tell you at the time about current meds. I have a lung test coming up in the hospital where I have to drop all meds for four days prior, eek!

One of the things the functional med doc told me to do was to change my diet. She suggested the original book written by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, author of Gut and Psychology Syndrome. Basically it is back to old style cooking and no processed food. Lots of meaty stews, cooked using meat stocks. There are a heap of book out now on the subject the library may have something? I found the diet helped some of my allergy issues and I do feel better on it. When I came out of hospital I went back to a meat stew to help my gut get over all the extra meds I'd had. Maybe it's worth a thought?

Hugs, x

[Wednesday]

Hi sweetie,

Just popping by to send you a lot of hugs, thinking of you.

lots of hugs, xx

[Wednesday]

Hi Carol,

I just found out about a new break through (to Australia) that may be of use to you.

It’s called Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome(CIRS). Do you have chronic sinus? Headaches? Or fatigue you just can’t seem to shake? It could be toxic mold.

I wont ramble on in case its too boring for words. A base question is, have you every lived somewhere that had mould in it?

If you're up to it try reading Dr Shoemaker on CIRS. Dr Sandeep Gupta’s course ‘Mold Illness made Simple’ is in Australia at present and my professional friends that are knowledgable about this stuff are very interested. They are suggesting that I have CIRS, but reading the list of symptoms I thought of you. Pity I cant send you the info directly they sent to me.

Hugs, sweetie, x

Ps love, love, love Storm.

[Lost_Girl]

Hi Ava,

Thanks so much. Your support and care mean a lot to me. I am making changes to my diet now. It just makes so much sense.

I haven't lived anywhere with mold with the exception of the time I shared a flat with 3 boys. Someone left a facewasher in the shower for too long and notes began appearing on the dining table saying, "(insert boy flatmate name here), Mold is nature's way of saying wash me".

My symptoms lead to a large number of different illnesses. I am lucky in a way that I know the iceskating incident is the initial cause. It is just finding the right treatment. I got a message to Dr Pain, just waiting on a call now.

I wish they could find something better to help you. It seems terribly unfair for you to suffer so much. Sending you a comforting caring hug.

Much love to you xx

[Lost_Girl]

Well it seems I am suffering from withdrawal of my pain meds. Worse, today I have to stop them altogether. The drs believe the initial cause of my headache to be treated and gone and that I have a rebound headache from the meds.

I didn't understand all the symptoms of the withdrawal. I do now and I have them all, lucky me.

Sadly it will get worse in the next week reducing to zero. Then it will ease in the following weeks so says my GP.

In case of my absence, this is where I am.

Much love to you all xx

[CMF]

Hi Carol,

sorry you have to endure this. My goodness this is so rough on you. I hope the dr is right and the pain does reduce to zero. I feel so useless, I don't know what to say and there's nothing I can do to ease the pain.

i am tjinkng of you and I do hope you pain goes, hang in there as much as you can.

hugs

cmf x

[Wednesday]

Hi Carol,

So another grotty couple of weeks for you , lots of hugs. Fingers crossed that the result will e perfect!

Thinking of you dear one, rest up.

I'm loving the Good Wife...

Hugs, xx

[Airies]

Hi Carol,

another rough trot for you. I'm sure they will get to the bottom of it. Take care, hugs and see you on the other side. Echo Wednesday's thoughts, thinking of you and fingers crossed of a positive outcome

cheers Len xox

[Moonstruck]

Gosh you have been asked to deal with a helluva lot this time around in life haven't you?

Wishing you all the strength of body and spirit you need - your heart is so full, kind and compassionate.....rotten things happen to such good people - I don't know why........luv u....xxx

[james1]

Hey Carol,

Luck sure doesn't seem to flow your way too often eh? Mega hugs from me. I'd say from my bird too, but he's been very temperamental recently.

I love the profile picture 🙂

Hoping that the end of the withdrawal symptoms comes soon!!

James