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

[Clues_Of_Blue]

You must have posted just as I did, Carol. I'm sorry you had such an unpleasant experience with the doctor. It's over now though, and you don't have to see that doctor again. Like Emmy said, try and focus on the positive news about your friend's wedding. I'm sure you'll look stunning all dressed up (and I bet your hubby will love it).

[Lost_Girl]

Thanks Emmy and Blue,

I have seen that dr before. He was reading my file online. I felt like a druggy getting grilled. Home now, all good.

The wedding is in April next year. It will be the first time I have been in a wedding party. Most of my closest friends are either with partners but never married or had lots of close sisters 🙂

It is exciting.

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Hope you're feeling a bit better now. It is exciting, isn't it? My bestie is a guy, and I was the best man at his wedding. That was pretty cool, and it got a few raised eyebrows. 🙂

[Lost_Girl]

Hi Blue,

Thanks, yeah I am doing ok.

Yes, I can imagine with the wedding you were in. People are strange aren't they. When I met hubby nearly all my friends were guys. We moved state and had kids which has lent to a lot of female friends. It is a lot harder to make male friends once you're married unless they are partners of girl friends.

I still have a few close male friends but they are in different states or overseas so I don't see them often. I miss having a big group of nerdy friends.

[Emmy.]

Carol I just wanted to apologise. I notice yesterday you mentioned about the wedding on my thread but I didn't respond to it. So sorry.

Also look at you 999 posts. If you reply to this it will be 1000!!!!!! 🙂 You're such an asset to the BB forum xx

[Lost_Girl]

Hi Emmy,

No need to apologise, all good.

Wow 1000 posts, I am a chatterbox haha. Thanks for the compliment.

Carol xx

[Guest_5218]

Very true Emmy, only Carol has now ticked over to 1000 posts. So, congrats Carol ................ so many people have been reassured, comforted and aptly advised by your beautifully constructed posts over the months since you first appeared here. So well done to you.

Sorry to hear of the inquisition you had to endure at the Drs today in order to obtain a new script. Sounds like it was totally out of order, and it should not have occurred. A different set of eyes and ideas is often a good thing, but not when this occurs. Hopefully you will get to see your regular GP next time and in future visits.

That is very exciting about being asked to be in the wedding party of your friend. I have been in 3 wedding parties now. I was a bridesmaid to a good friend from school who married very young and died in a car accident 2 years later. I was then bridesmaid to my best friend from school and she died while undergoing routine surgery about 3 years ago. Then I was matron of honour for my sister about 9 years ago. That was it for me. But it is a privilege and definitely something for you to look forward to. It even sounds as though April will be perfect timing both for expected recovery and expected target weight loss.

Other than at school, and up until I married at 38, I had almost exclusively male friends (mainly through sport). So I totally understand you being your bestie's 'best man' at his wedding. Great idea I reckon.

So Carol, how are you now anyway? In relation to pain, shaking, mood, etc.

A big hug to you, and lots of love.

Sherie xx

[Guest_5218]

*** Of course my comment about being your bestie's best man, was directed to Blue, not you Carol. I missed putting in Blues name.

Okay, 1am now and off to bed. Busy day tomorrow.

I hope you sleep well Carol.

Sherie xx

[Lost_Girl]

Hi Sherie,

Yes, I worked it out 🙂

I got distracted with a new poster that I thought I could help. Off to sleep now 1:30.

Here is a friendship hug for you Sherie.

Also another friendship hug for Shell if she's reading xx

[Petra]

Hi Carol

Don't take on Dr Doofus' bad behaviour. Sounds like he has a problem with the care plan in place by your treating GP. His ranting and raving should have been directed at your GP, not you. Weak behaviour in deed. Perhaps I should introduce Dr Doofus to my recent GP, Dr Doogie Howser II (DH for short as kindly pointed out to me by Rose ... less key strokes)?! The conversation could go something like this .... "Dr DH this is Dr Doofus, Dr Doofus likes to change care plans without fully understanding the patients medical journey. Dr Doofus this is Dr DH, he likes to assume his patients with anxiety are just experiencing another bout of 'health anxiety' regardless of physical symptoms and suggests a pain psych to assist the patient to learn to 'turn down the pain!" Oops! I'm being nasty (frustration talking here). 😁

Hubby had a similar experience on having to see another clinic GP due to his treating GP calling in sick. Substitute GP did the rant and rave, saying he'll be "talking to Dr ... about this." Hubby's treating GP on later being told this occurred wasn't phased and there were no changes made to Hubby's care plan or meds. Business as usual.

Weddings are exciting sweet. It's an honour to be in the wedding party. A treat for you to look forward to. I'm sure you'll look absolutely darling, darling. Hope to see a pic.

Pet 😘 xx