Headache Challenge

Hi Everyone,

here's something that is truly grinding me down, can anyone offer any
constructive advice please? I know it seems like a long message but
believe it or not I have really tried to make it as brief as possible but
at the same time answer most questions up front that may be asked. :)

Main but not all symptoms and feelings - as brief as possible.
about 80% of the descriptions and symtoms are as found at:
http://www.headaches.com - have asked them but no reply so far.

ALL of head aches, neck ache with some pain, eyes ache, bridge of nose and nose aches, upper teeth throb, face feels flushed, tinnitus, jaws and temples ache, feelings of giddiness, feels like I am always on the edge of a sore throat, voice occasionally goes "hoarsish" and quiet sounding, food sometimes does not seem to go down properly after swallowing (kind of sticks to back of throat), between neck and shoulders ache sometimes, back of and base of skull aches, bending over makes face and head feel like they will explode, sometimes light headed on rising, nasal passages seem very narrow especially when lying down, back and roof of mouth (including tongue) often feel kind of tingly or itchy, and a few other similar bits and bobs now and then. Usually worse first thing in the morning. Do you need more history and the timeline of progression or developments includind attempted remedies, just ask? Had an MRI head and thorasicspine scan in JULY 2007. Still have NOT sat down with and been told results by anybody! Am assuming the silence means things are OK?

Thanks once again for any advice you may forward to me.

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Hi, I have been CONSTANTLY suffering, gradually getting worse, for well over three years now. I have a long history of "the go away, there's nothing wrong" stuff from doctors, dentists, specialists, etc. I really know that I have this pain and am becoming increasingly depressed and miserable with it all. My quality of life for various reasons is very poor despite trying many ways to tackle the problem. I can even put a date to when this all seemed to commence - this is dismissed by doctors as being "over, can't be" or "coincidence" - or it's just "the way I am" (self-perpetuating because I am thinking about it (RUBBISH)!

I am desperate to end this suffering and would like to know if I sent (email) to you a comprehensive history, past and present, would you be able to give me some advice please? This would most likely run to several pages! I have many of the symptoms and pains decribed on your site, the worst of which at present is feeling like my head could explode when I bend over. Also it feels as though my whole face has an underlying infection because it is becoming increasingly "tender" and feels "full". I have also long term constant neck aches/pains which I know does contribute to some of this. I am now also suffering excess stress and living basically in fear of what will happen next?

I feel abandoned and misunderstood by own medical service and do not know where to turn. THEY SIMPLY SEEM TO *NOT* BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY HOW BAD IT IS! A typical response is to offer me medications of various kinds to try and mask it. My research has led me to believe this is NOT the way to go. Have tried amongst other things - relaxation, stress management, Qigong, Tai-Chi, EFT, soothing sounds, mouth guard, inversion table (very uncomfortable in and around the neck and face area), self hypnosis, self-improvement books, some physiotherapy - the ONLY thing to help a little, and accupuncture. Have purchased and read a few books (such as "cure your own headache", " trigger point therapy", "how to get rid of tension headaches" regarding this matter but so far to no avail. Due to have a back tooth out in middle of January - not holding my breathe though! I am alone in this and need some support and encouragement because some of this needs an understanding or professional helper.

I shall not go into further details here as I am sure you must have heard it all before? But if you could/would help and need more details please just ask for exactly what you require to know.

As I am in the UK (Nottingham) I wondered if you could/would describe some kind of action I could take. Either as to the EXACT type of people/professionals I should be seeing and/or some kind of helpful home treatment/remedies I could try?

Generally I am in good health, eat what I belive to be a fairly varied and balanced diet. NEVER drink tea, coffee or coca-cola and eat very small amounts of chocolate. I am not overweight, do not smoke, exercise regularly and drink about 14-18 units of alcohol per week. Hope this helps?

Thanks very much for reading, all the best - Michael

Michael,

I can relate to being in migraine pain, and not feeling like anyone is listening or able to give help.  It is a very frustrating feeling, and I'm sorry you're experiencing it. 

As Ann said, there may be triggers in your food you're not aware of.  MSG and nitrates are major triggers for me, and I had no idea how common both were until I went to a neurologist specializing in migraines.

Here is an article that may help explain more about MSG and how it affects migraines: http://ezinearticles.com/?id=888663

~Sarah

http://www.headaches.com - THIS IS NOT AN ADVERT - I HAVE NO ASSOCIATION WITH THEM BUT...

Does anybody know exactly what these people do. They have replied to my message but basically say that if I want some answers I would have to visit them in person. This is not affordable or practical right now because they are thousands of mile away AND I suffer agoraphobia, shame really otherwise I would consider going into debt.

This site really does seem to hit the nail on the head for me and I can not understand why my own medical service can not or does not offer the same or similar treatment if it is so effective?

Cheers - Michael

Well thanks Joan,

after this post I shall definitely click and send you a message.

The latest is simply that yesterday I had the tooth extracted with no apparent problems so far. Pretty tender and cheekbone hurts but I expect things will heal OK. Whether it makes any difference to anything as described above we shall have to wait and see? Thanks to anyone that posts with ideas or help.

Mucha appreciated - Michael

This is just a quick reply to say that yesterday I was told the
bad news that I have a cyst inside my right sinus from MRI.

Now waiting for appointment at ENT to see who gets to go in
and remove - either Maxillofacial or ENT? Through the nose or mouth?

I am devastated at the prospect because of my pills, potions,
medication, etc MASSIVE phobia. Am scared to death already!

I feel after such a miserable life in general AND all of
this for over 3 years I have had enough. Just had tooth out
and that's still sore but it feels like it's firing up the
whole right hand side of head and face, hopefully it will
subside soon?

This seems like the last straw and I shall see just how depressed I become. I am so alone with no support or help
from anyone.

Thanks for reading and sorry to be so pessimistic but that
just seems a way of life for me I'm afraid.

I shall try my best to keep motivated and struggle on through.
My daughter does not deserve me to be this way, it's heartbreaking to think about. All the time trying to keep
it to myself.

All the best - Michael

Hi Michael,

I am sorry to hear your news! Life can be very tough with no support - I have brought up my 19yr old son alone with my chronic headache condition!

I totally understand your apprehension about your treatment but you will get through this! Keep posting here and someone will usually get back to you.

take care

Ann

Hi All,

just a quick update - 2 years down the road and guess what?

THINGS ARE JUST THE SAME!!!!! Good, eh?

Wishing you all the best - Michael