Chronic daily headaches

Taking that much Ibuprofen (Advil) most likely is causing rebound headaches. From what it sounds like you're describing, I'm almost certain that taking the medication is harming you more than it's helping. Medication overuse can even be the cause of daily headaches. But, regardless, you need to see a headache specialist and be prescribed a daily preventative medication that you can take without the risk of additional headaches or an abortive medication that's more effective (so that you won't need to overuse it). I have constant headaches also and, believe me, it's not something you can (or should) handle with over-the-counter medications. See a neurologist!

nooooo!!!! i'm not over dosing!!!!!!!!!!!! i just meant that i have gotten these since i was in like kindergarden, and so i have taken advil since then like every other day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i would never over dose, i know the dangers, and i know my limit. but thanks for the concern

Sailmonii34,

I've been suffering from chronic daily headaches for 18 years (I can remember the exact day they started). I want to reiterate what others have said about rebound headache caused by taking painkillers too often. The worst my headaches have ever been was when I took Advil or other over-the-counter pain relievers on a daily or every other day basis. Once I stopped that, the pain got less severe (but not really less frequent). This happened even though I never took Advil etc. at over the levels recommended on the label. My neurologist recommends I take pain killers no more often than 2 days per week. It can be difficult to not take a pill when the pain is there, but it's worth it to avoid going back into that rebound headache condition.

Rather than focusing on stopping the pain, you'd be better off exploring preventative medicines. To do this effectively, you should try to find a headache specialist to help you -- someone who knows all the options and various combinations thereof.

Although I don't have migraines (no auras, nausea, sensitivity to light, etc), the drugs which my neurologist tries with me are the same as you'll see discussed on this forum as migraine meds. As I understand it, most headache docs and researchers think most headaches are related and thus respond to similar therapies.

Best of luck finding what works for you!

kymark said...
Sailmonii34,

I've been suffering from chronic daily headaches for 18 years (I can remember the exact day they started).

Although I don't have migraines (no auras, nausea, sensitivity to light, etc), the drugs which my neurologist tries with me are the same as you'll see discussed on this forum as migraine meds. As I understand it, most headache docs and researchers think most headaches are related and thus respond to similar therapies.

This actually sounds like a case of "new daily persistent headache," which is what I also suffer from.  The qualifications for it are outlined as: 

 

A. Headache for >3 mo fulfilling criteria B-D
B. Headache is daily and unremitting from onset or from <3 d from onset
C. At least two of the following pain characteristics:
  1. bilateral location
  2. pressing/tightening (non-pulsating) quality
  3. mild or moderate intensity
  4. not aggravated by routine physical activity
D. Both of the following:
  1. not >1 of photophobia, phonophobia or mild nausea
  2. neither moderate or severe nausea nor vomiting
E. Not attributed to another disorder
 

It's known for it's sufferers to commonly remember the exact day in which they started (after which or soon after which they become unremitting).  Unfortunately, as you may have noticed, it's also known as one of the most resistent to treatment of all of the headache classes.

A good summary site is: http://headaches.about.com/od/otherheadpain/a/ndph.htm

Yes, I think the latest name for my headache type is "new daily persistent headache" -- I laughed when my doctor used that phrase -- something about 18 year long headaches being "new" struck me as odd! But the description you've posted, and what I've read elsewhere, fits pretty much exactly with my headaches. The only difference is that often, onset of NDPH is associated with a virus or cold-like infection. Mine started on a backpacking trip --- woke up in the morning after a hard hike with a heavy pack with a headache that has yet to go away. I assumed I just wrenched my neck (lots of neck and shoulder tension accompanies my head pain). Lots of pressure, dull pain esp. in the temples, but usually only moderate in intensity. I also have a family history of headaches (mom and sister have had migraines for years -- my mom for 40 years or so). That's why the "most headache types are related" theory rings true with me.

Various meds have helped for awhile, particularly Topamax, Neurontin, and amitriptyline. The amitripyline has been the most effective long term, but it only reduces the severity of the pain. I'm trying Lyrica, along with amitriptyline, now but am less than impressed so far. I've tried most every class of headache medicine, along with most non-traditional remedies. My current neurologist, who is fantastic, wants to go back to some of the meds I've tried in the past, many of which I may not have stayed on for the 3 months or so that may be needed for full effect.

While these headaches are incredibly persistent, I'm lucky they're not debilitating. My heart goes out to people who simply can't function due to their pain. I've only had one or two "classic migraines" and I can't imagine having such agony on a daily basis.

"just a headache" can also be debilitating. Just ask us who suffer from the 24/7 constant pressure of chronic headaches!!

From what I understand of NDPH, it's often only the base of a head problem.  For instance, I'm in constant moderate to upper-moderate pain, but frequently, I have headache flares that have the symptoms of true migraines.  So, daily, for the most part, it's just pain and medication side effects, but often I do get the severe nausea, photophobia, phonophobia, stabbing pain, etc. 

And 'just a headache', even if it doesn't go into migraine territory, isn't 'just a headache' when it's 24/7.

You, at least, didn't offend me, but thanks :)

ndb,

Caffeine definitely helps my headaches -- they even put it in Fioricet, a pain reliever lots of headache sufferers use (it's my sole abortive med).

I don't know about the physical activity -- I hate exercising (!), but it doesn't worsen my headaches unless I've got a severe one.

Although meds like topamax are primarily used for migraine, it goes back to my earlier comment about most headache types being related. In fact, researchers don't really know why these meds help any headache -- it's all trial and error. Neurontin, which like topamax is primarily used for bipolar and related disorders, was very effective for me for awhile, but then the effectiveness wore off (like with everything that's helped much). With the sole exception of elavil, which definitely lessens my daily pain levels.

Elavil- the only side effects I've suffered are weight gain (pretty significant at higher doses, not bad at my current dose of 25 mg per day) and sleepiness. When I tried quitting the elavil completely, my headaches got noticeably worse and I had some trouble sleeping. I would never take it any time than at night, since it really knocks me out.

I think chronic/NDPH are so less common than migraines that doctors and researchers put a lot less research attention into them. Most of the time, my doctor is trying things that have been proven clinically to help migraines that she thinks may help my headaches.

Mark

has anyone ever tried putting ice packs on their head. it works for me.

nbd,

I nearly always feel pressure in my head, even if it isn't full-blown pain. The muscles at the base of my skull are generally tight. That's one reason I've tried lots of chiropractic, massage, physical therapy, etc. I've come to believe, however, that the muscle tension is more a symptom than a cause of the headaches.

As my headaches worsen, I feel painful pressure, particularly in the temples. At times, it feels almost as if my head will burst. My temples will get very tender to the touch in more severe headaches. Simply lying down and taking the weight of my head off my neck and shoulders sometimes helps -- I find I need to do this pretty much every day when I get home from work for 30 minutes or so. If the headache is really bad, nothing stops it and it will last 2-3 days.

For more moderate headaches and to stop one from developing into full force, I take Fioricet, a muscle relaxant. Other relaxants have not been as effective for me, and the Fioricet is hit and miss.

I don't know any other NDPH sufferers, nor do I know of anyone "cured". I've come to accept the fact that these headaches are a part of me, and my best bet is to manage them. I've been disappointed by too many so-called cures to keep hoping for one. Rather than this being a defeatist attitude, I find it makes it easier for me to keep on living my life without letting the headaches dominate everything I do. I've learned to work through all but the worst pain.

The most predictable triggers for more serious pain episodes are poor sleep (that's why the amitryptiline is so helpful, I think), storm fronts coming through, and alcohol. Even one beer will generally increase my pain the next day. I've never been much of a drinker, but I would like to be able to share a bottle of wine with my wife on our anniversary, at least (actually, that's about the only time I ever drink, figuring the pain is worth it -- my wife has put up with these headaches almost as long as I have!)

I'm not sure what the role of stress is, either. I know that I often have headaches when I'm under little or no stress, and have gone through very stressful periods in my life with no noticeable increase in pain. However, if the stress keeps me from sleeping, I'm in trouble!

One of the really interesting things I've discovered is that if there's something I HAVE to do, adrenaline usually kicks in and I just don't notice the headache. When I teach a class or am working to meet a deadline, I can generally push the pain to the back of my mind and focus on what needs doing. Afterwards, the pain is often really severe, but I've gotten done what needs doing. I can't do that every day, however, (I'm a college teacher and don't teach daily).

Well, this is probably more than you really wanted to know. Sorry I went on so long!

Mark

Kymark,

       Can I email you sometime?  You are one of the few people I have found that suffers from something similar to me, and I have some more questions for you.