Tension Migraines & Occipital Neuralgia

Don't know what else to do.  I have had migraines since I was 15 years old, I am now 29.  When they began, asprin, or advil would help, each year, they have goten progressively worse.  

Currently, these migraines are controling my life, I cant work, I cant sleep, my marriage is falling apart, my son is loosing his mother.  Each day I wake up with pain in the occipital area on the right & left sides, as the day begins, my neck tightens, and the naseua/ vommiting sets in, dizzyness, and , and I can make it through and others are worse and I go home to bed and sleep with an ice pack and the windows closed.  I am becomig depressed, my family doenst underdstand.  I am loosing my self to this.

I have been to pain management and they diagnosed me with Occipital neuralgia and I was treated with coritsone injections in the head- this worked for about 2 weeks, then  the chiropractor did a ct and I have 2 herniated discs- he says thats why, so I go to him for treatment 6 months- no improvemnet.  My neuroligist as of last weeks decided I had stress induced tension mirgaines.  I am on Keppra 250mg 2x day and am being refered to a neuro-pshcy dr for stress management and biofeedback, hypnosis, ect.  I just feel like everyone is missing something- I grit me teeth when I sleep and that doensnt help- I tried topamax 200mg and I had bad side affects, I just can t take always hurting anymore- chanea

Hi Murphy 2667,

                 I have the same thing happening to me right now. The past 3 mornings, I am waking up to a headache. The pain radiates to the back of my head but only on the right side. I went to the chiropractor and she said that one of my cervical vertabraes was misaligned. She adjusted me and massaged the tender area and the back of my neck. It's a bit better! She recommended to put heat instead of cold and it did help. I also have a mouthgard that I use at night. I didn't use it for the past 5 days due to a cold. That's probably why I have these headaches. Maybe you should think of getting one if you grind your teeth. This causes a lot of stress in you jaw and neck muscles that result in headaches and tension. My dentist fitted me for one and it works! Maybe you could try that? How come there not treating your herniated disks? Isn't that dangerous for a chiropractor to make adjustments to herniated disks? You know what, I know what you mean about people not understanding you. I have had a lot of symptoms for the past 5 years. The current one is the constant dizziness for the past year. I have a great family and I love them very much. I know that they somewhat worry about me but they don't understand what they can't see. This is the invisible disease. As long as it is invisible, people won't really get it! Fortunately, you have found this site where many do understand you and feel your pain. Good luck to you and I hope you feel better soon!

                 Sincerely, Nicaribbean