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]

Hey Paul,

Haha, luckily injections don't bother me! I hadn't thought about how terrifying that option might be to some. As a child I had needles every Monday for a year to reduce allergic reactions so I guess I got used to them. I also had to do them myself for gestational diabetes and I think that has made them less scary again.

Your poor Mum! I am glad they worked for her.

You are far more helpful than you think and I am very fond of you. Your support means a lot and is very valued. It would be harder to keep strong without you and the "girls".

I am humbled that you are proud of me and yes that's more than ok, that's really lovely. It's like something family would say. Happy tears xx

[blondguy]

Hey Carol

You have just made my day..Your thoughts are from the heart and for that you are someone very special. I have so much that I can talk about and cant really articulate it on here as per protocol.

Just to make you giggle....My GP told me I was due for a blood test about 5 years ago and I said to him "are your girls (nurses) anxiety literate?" And he said 'of course they are'

10 Minutes later the clinic nurse came up to me with a needle and said 'I have been told that you are anxious about a blood test...are you really?.....Then just before she gave me the needle she said 'I havent done this for a long time...just bear with me.....'

Great stuff!! I did read my GP the riot act the next time I saw him....

Anyhoo...I thought that may make you laugh 🙂

I have a brother who is 2 years younger and a sister (49) that dont want to talk about 'mental issues'...oh crap. My mum separated from my dad after 49 years of marriage (which us kids were happy with as he is a bully) and now lives just up the road from me in sthrn vic. Thankyou for saying that my post was like something family would say...that meant the world to me 🙂

I have Prince...bless his 65kilo heart as my companion..Had him since my daughter farmed him off to me in late 2014. (because she was renting)

I know its not protocol Carol but even though I did read your heartfelt advice on barry's thread i am just very lonely especially after not seeing all my clients anymore with work...

Thankyou so much for letting me vent .....Paul xx

[Guest_5218]

Hi Carol.

Well that sounds reasonably positive. At least this guy listened, explained and gave you some options as well as a clear timeline. And it sounds as though you have faith in him, so thats a big thing.

My hubby suffered badly from Migraine Associated Vertigo a number of years ago, and he was also put on an anti-epilepsy drug by a neuro and it helped him a lot. Its highly likely its the same one. He eventually had to go off it a few years ago because it wasnt the best for him after developing kidney disease. But it was much more effective than anything he has had since.

Pilates is good. Have you ever done it before, and are there classes held near where you live? Alternatively there are a lot of good DVD's you can get, to use at home. It would be best to attend a few live classes first though, to ensure you have the basic techniques right. Thats very important.

I like the holistic approach to medicine. I am looking forward to the new you - hair, glasses, body, head. ( - :

Your positive outlook will pay dividends Carol. So good on you. Have you commenced the meds yet? And did he say how long before you should start to see any benefits, if there are to be any? Do you have another appointment with him?

Sherie xx

[Lost_Girl]

Hey Paul,

Oh that did make me laugh! It reminds me if the first operation I ever had which was for my appendix removal and the anaestethist was a very petite lady with an asian background and she truly looked about 12 years of age. It did little to instill confidence.

It is hard not having family to talk to about health issues. I think that's one of the real benefits of family, being able to talk about the difficult things but sometimes it just doesn't work like that. I very much miss my Mum when I am unwell and I think of her often these days. I have a brother 7 years older than me. He lives in Darwin at the moment with the army. He had depression a number of years ago after his wife left him but he didn't tell me until he had worked through it. He is out bush for months at the moment so I can't talk with him until he gets back.

You can vent anytime dear friend. I am still working through protocol, I get my hand slapped on occassion and have to go read rules again to work out what I did. I am getting better 🙂

There are times I just want to whinge and have people say poor you without trying to "help". That's the bigger difference between here and real life. People here are always very positive.

I know it's horrid right now Paul, I knew you'd be missing people at work. I miss mine too. I feel very lonely here at home. I am unable to get out on my own either probably 95% of the time. There are occassional days I feel well enough to walk or drive but they are few and far between.

Ask about info on volunteering for audio description with Vision Aust.

Will go check in on Barry's thread soon. He is quiet and it worries me.

Big hugs to you and your gorgeous dog xx

[Lost_Girl]

Dear Sherie,

I have started the meds, second night tonight. Things will be tough adjusting to these I think. Luckily I have the pain meds but for some reason they are not working as well. I expect there's going to be a rough adjustment period. It's making me super sleepy but at all the wrong times of course haha.

The meds adjust each week, by week 4 I should know if they help. He seemed uncertain so has booked those injections in if it doesn't work. That's 2nd June and I see him the same day. I have a psychiatrist appt he said to go ahead with on May 19...he said, can't hurt to look at it from all angles.

The meds are meant to help weight loss to and I have noticed a decrease in appetite already.

I have done pilates before. I did a Mum's and bubs pilates after my first bub and it was great. I was living somewhere else then. I need to look into classes near here. Travel to them may be a challenge. Dvd is a great idea. I still have my mat so that's terrific thanks. I don't think clearly these days. I already have zumba dvds and before my accident I was going to classes for that 3 times a week. I remember those routines and have the music so I might adapt something to make it lower impact initially and give it a go. I do worry I will hirt myself more but hey.... gotta do something.

I am looking forward to the new me too. The changed look, the changed person (because you can't go through this and not change) and hopefully finding a little bit of who I see myself as which is a healthier version of me.

I love hearing the changes in you too Sherie. I will ccheck in on your feed xx

[Guest_1055]

Hey Carol

It is 2:40 am, and I see you are awake. So just thought I would leave a hug here for you. And to let you know that I am thinking of you at the moment. Nite

Love Shell xxx

PS..I like your photo of you too.

[Lost_Girl]

Hey Shell,

Thank you so much! I do miss chatting to you but understand.

Thanks for the hug, just what I needed. I shall try and get some sleep now. Just on 3am now.

I hope you get some rest too dear friend.

Love Carol xx

[Lost_Girl]

Well the new meds make me super sleepy. Back to feeling "stuck" in my comfy chair again. No concentration.

New meds have supressed my appetite completely. I don't feel hungry at all which is a good thing I guess because normally if I felt miserable like this I would go find some chocolate.

However I am feeling very low. Ok that's an understatement, I can't stop crying 😞

I know all the right things to say to myself. I know it takes time for the meds to work. I know I should be kind to myself. I just feel so sad today.

[Guest_5218]

Good evening Carol. Sorry you feel as though you're back to being stuck in your chair. As well as being really sleepy and totally lacking in concentration. Thats hard to go back to I guess.

Are you still feeling really low, and unable to stop crying? Is this as a result, do you think, of your apt and 'diagnosis' or from the new meds? Its just that its only day 2, so if its all to do with the meds, then they have had this effect very quickly. So I just wondered.

Its no use suggesting things to do, because you already know what you should be doing. All I can really do is to say that I am with you, I care, and I sooo want you to get well again soon. The old saying that you cant keep a good woman down, applies to you. Here's a big hug to keep you going in the meantime.

Sherie xx

[Lost_Girl]

Hi Sherie,

I have got myself together. I am not sure, maybe I just needed a big cry.

I agree it's too early with the meds but I did some research and it seems this overwhelming tiredness is common straight away. I haven't been able to do very much and it's disheartening to go back to doing even less. I can't even crochet.

I just have to go through that whole acceptance thing again.

Thanks for the hug. Oh there I go, I am stiĺl teary but I am sure it will pass. I will go find one of my kids to hug.

I will be ok