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Posted 2/4/2013 10:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I'm new to this forum. I have been looking online for a while now to find others that suffer with the same thing as I do. I seem to have zero support where I am and I feel as though I am treated like a hypochrondriac.

I have been having these headaches for the last four years now, my doctors has put me on Amitriptyline, 25mg which I take every night. These have helped in reducing the frequency of the headaches (I spend most of my life with a headache) however, when I actually get a headache (my headaches tend to last a few days) they dont get get rid of them so as a result I tend to 'over-medicate' and give myself rebound headaches due to taking pain killers too regularly. I do try not to take them, but my headaches are more moderate to severe as opposed to mild to moderate.

I find it hard to function properly sometimes, my concentration is bad, my memory is atrocious (to the point I cannot remember whether or not I have taken pain killers that morning!) I find it hard to retain information, I also struggle to get my words out. I will have something in mind I want to say and it comes out wrong, my words are jumbled or back to front, very amusing to my friends etc. but embarassing for me. I do associate these issues with my headaches as I get them so regularly and each will last for days that inbetween headaches I feel quite drained.

I have found that people, including my own doctor, just seem to have the opinion that they are 'only headaches' it's not big deal. Granted, they are not migranes, thankfully I dont suffer with those, but I do get a bit frustrated and upset that the only advice I am given is to continue taking my pills and avoid stress. That's it.

I do not have a lot of money and the alternative therapies I would like to try; massage/acupuncture etc. are just far too expensive where I live and I cannot afford them. My doctor will not send me for any kind of tests (NHS cuts etc.) and even if she did, for each test waiting period would be at least 6 months to one year.

I am just wondering if there are any others on this forum that share this problem and if so, has anyone found, I dont know, something that I could do from home that could help? I have altered my diet, cut out caffine etc. ensure I drink plenty of water, I dont know what else I can try.

Much as I would love to walk around in a permanent 'zen' state, as a single parent, that is impossible. I really do need to find a way to manage this though, I'm not going to get any help from doctors etc. so I need to find something I can do from home that will hopefully help to ease this. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Stephanie :-)
Posted 2/4/2013 10:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Stephanie and welcome to Healing well.

I also suffered tremendous headaches for most of my child bearing years and of the firm belief that many h/a's in women are hormone related. As soon as I entered non-bearing years my h/s'a pretty much ceased. I am a little confused and am not sure your saying the confusion and forgetfulness and trouble with speech is or isnt related to the amount of meds your taking or if this is a state your in all the time. I am going to say that headaches in conjunction with those symptoms that are not related to any meds your taking needs to be looked into more as they can be indicative of something more serious then a simple headache.

I also am going to say that narcotics are not the course of action for headaches and prevention is as narcotics most certainly cause more problems in severity and duration. Most h/a specialists use some type of beta-blockers as a daily management and preventive aid and they'refar better meds designed to treat h/a t and noise,then opiates these days.

As for at home remedies well you probably already do most like stay in cool dark room avoid light and noise and using otc meds such as migraine formula excedrin and tylenol.

I would strongly suggest a finding a specialist to dig deeper into cause and effects and go from there.

Good luck and again welcome to the forum

Vickie
Posted 2/4/2013 12:02 PM (GMT 0)
I get daily headaches but not exactly to the extent of which you are suffering, I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this.. sad

I have heard of a few users that suffer with headaches/migraines that use, I think it's a lidocaine spray, that goes up in the nose and does a very good job at decreasing duration & intensity. I've never personally used it, just heard very good things about it. Has this been offered to you?

Also, could your doctor refer you to a neurologist? This is a doctor who specifically treats neurological problems, including headaches. This would be your best route to go in finding relief in my opinion.

Praying for some much needed relief for you & good luck!

BTW; welcome to healingwell. wink
Posted 2/4/2013 12:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Vickie,

I do apologise I probably wasnt very clear about the 'confusion' etc. side of things. It isnt due to the medication, I think it's more down to me having the headaches that tend to last each time for 2-3 days and then the times inbetween where I do feel as though my 'brain' is just a bit worn out (if that makes sense). When you have the headache, its a like a bit of a strain on the brain, it feels like that to me and so when the headaches eases, I feel quite worn out, drained. I feel like my brain is saying 'please, just a little bit of peace and quiet', never really gets it though, it's like my head never truly gets a 'break' from it.

So this whole thing feels so constant to me, even when I dont have a headache, the inbetween times feel almost like a 'recovery' period, then, pop, here we go again.

As far as medication goes, I have been taking the Amitriptyline for around 3 months now, my doctor said that I could take 50mg a night, but I stick to the 25mg, I really am not keen on taking medication at all. As far as pain relief goes, I take a particular brand of extra power pain relief (OTC brand) that contains paracetamol, aspirin and caffeine. These do work in that they 'cloud' the pain, they definitely do not get rid of the headache. This particular brand is the only one I have found to work! I do try hard to limit how many I take, it's very difficult if I have a particularly nasty headache that lasts for 2-3 days, I tend to use the painkillers throughout that time, because I have no choice. I have two sons, I'm a single parent, life goes on doesnt it, I have to 'squash' the pain as best I can so I can get out and about and do what I have to do.

I do have a problem with the rebound headaches, it's such a viscious circle! Ultimately I do have to spend a certain amount of time walking around feeling as though I have a pick axe in my head. Whether that be from not taking painkillers initially and riding out the original headache or by having to stop taking the painkillers to get rid of the equally as bad, rebound headache.

So, what I have mentioned above, those are the only forms of medication I take. I do try very hard not to take the painkillers but it is difficult when you have to go out and about and 'function' as it were.

I'm determined to not let this beat me, which is why I am doing as much research as possible on it. It's sad because I keep reading the same kind of stories over and over again, basically, people suffering with this for years on end, with little or no support and having to just carry on in the hope that it just goes away one day.

Thank you for your response and your welcome, hopefully I'll find something soon that works better for me, certainly seems a very personal thing, what works for some doesnt work for others. I plan on going back to my doctors and discussing this further with her.

Stephanie
Posted 2/4/2013 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
Your welcome Stephanie and absolutely right about what works for some doesnt do anything for others. I also know about the "morning after" feelings as I suffered horrendous migraines for years,debilitating me for days on end and then taking days more to shake it off! My head usually was so sore post one of those I couldnt even stand to run a brush thru it. To someone who has not ever had such a headache they cant even imagine how it can make your head sore to touch.

I also had viral encephalitis and that added worse headaches to my already bad ones. I finally went on inderal which is a beta-blocker for prevention and is actually a blood pressure/cardiac med but has been proven to cut down the incidence of h/a's also had a very oldtime Dr that tried an oldtime headache drug called fiorinal and it comes with codeine and without and I kept both on hand and he simply saved me many a day in bed in the dark and away from my kids and I know about that as I had 6. Some times the old stuff works well too and just gets pushed to the back and forgotten.

I now only have to use excedrin for the occasional onset of a migraine that occurs now maybe once a year and I know when they are as I have auras that warn me. I have 4 girls and everyone of them also suffer migraines so I know there is some heridity to them. They also have auras and know so they can attempt to head them off since we have a better understanding of what they are. When I was having them so long ago I didnt recognize the signs,also want to add that watching what you eat and staying away from artificial preservatives in foods such as the biggest one Msg,you might try eliminating any kind of barbecue sauce with added hickory flavoring and foods such as fried chicken from delis as many times they use spices that trigger h/a in there breading. Lunch meat,canned meats, well the list is far too long but you can google it and read.

Make sure the filters in your heating and air are always clean and use non-toxic cleaners around the house as many many things you spray and clean with can serve as triggers and yes it sounds like alot of trouble but if it eliminates even one h/a a month its worth it.

Talk to your Dr and if they dont want to listen look for a specialist in treating chronic headaches. It can get very old very fast going to bed each night afraid to go to sleep because you dont know what the morning will bring when you awaken and facing days of debilitating h/a's when you have no choice but to get up and take care of the kids is horrible and depressing and makes things worse in the long run for your headache.

Dont give up there are things that work you just need to find the triggers and have a good Dr working with you.

Vickie
Posted 2/4/2013 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kayla,

I have tried a nasal spray although not the one you mentioned. My doctor at one point thought perhaps the headaches were caused by a sinus problem, they were also treating me for migrane even though I said several times they're not migranes!

If I'm completely honest, I did my homework and I actually diagnosed myself before the point my doctor finally got there. I even knew the recommended medication (Amitriptyline) before she prescribed it (says a lot for my doctor really tongue ) I also know that these headaches could be connected with a problem in either the jaw or the neck (I do have a problem with both). Sadly, I have one of those doctors that would rather send me out the door with some pills. With budget cuts and all the rest, you have to really PUSH to get the doctor to send you for any kind of tests, it's ridiculous really. Also, my doctor, like most other people (that havent experienced these types of headaches) are of the opinion that they are 'just' headaches.

I get fed up of going to the doctors and being made to feel like a hyperchondriac, she should really send me for some tests, but she wont. I suppose this is why I have a bit of a 'balls to you' attitude towards doctors at the moment and why I am trying to figure something out for myself :-)

Thanks for your suggestion, I will look into that nasal spray, and thanks for the welcome too :-)
Posted 2/4/2013 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
You know what they say, if you trust google more thank your doctor, it might be time to get a new doctor. wink
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