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I'm scared this headache from April will never go away. Help! (MSG induced)

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Migraine Headache
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Posted 6/14/2013 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
So, I'm coming upon the one and half month mark since I first induced this long-lasting headache all from eating a quarter or so of a big container of cheese puffs (laced with MSG). :( I just cannot believe that one choice to eat a snack could cause this type of ongoing suffering for almost two months! And yet its true. At times the headache subsides, but it never fully goes away and I have that sensation that my eyes are being pushed out of their sockets. And eye strain when I look around. And a tingly/cold sensation on the top of my head that happens immediately after I eat "bad" foods that cause brain-fog, but this time the sensations crops up randomly out of the blue... ever since I ate that snack.

I'm just so frustrated, and angry! How could one snack be so toxic? (MSG has always caused me headaches since childhood, just never one lasting this long and I attribute that to Fibromyalgia issues)

I drove to the vitamin shop and bought some magnesium and riboflavin because I read sometimes those prevent migraines and relax blood vessels. I don't know if that will help.

I have had MSG headaches before, but one has never lasted this long. The health-anxiety person in me is scared I have done permanent damage to my brain.

I'm thinking about scheduling an appointment with a neurologist. :( I do not have the money for this at all.

I just am really discouraged and scared right now that this is how my life is going to be from now on. One unending headache, and all from eating cheese puffs. :/

:( I'm so sick of this feeling so fragile!!!! Like there are chemicals all around me and if I touch or eat the smallest amount of the wrong one, all hell breaks loose!

Sorry this is such a negative post. Does anyone have any words of advice?

Thanks.
Posted 6/17/2013 4:53 AM (GMT 0)
CCL,

So sorry to hear about your long-lasting headache :( I, too, am a migraine/headache sufferer and also have fibromyalgia (as well as a bunch of other health/pain issues - bleh).

A month and a half is a long, long time to not be getting relief. I have different triggers -- but the description of your headache (severe eye socket pain; eye strain; etc) is very familiar to me.

Have you been on all the various headache medications....? For this particular headache - have you tried all the OTC meds? ... have you tried opiods or muscle relaxers before to help your headaches?

You need to get something to help break the pain cycle w/ this headache. Are you connected w/ a doctor that is helping with your headaches? Is this the neurologist that you mentioned?

I think the magnesium (and riboflavin) is a great idea.... in terms of trying to prevent future headaches. But, for this headache - as I said, I think you need to get something to help break the pain cycle. There are steroid packs.... IV magnesium..... IV narcotics.... even getting IV fluids for me sometimes will aid in breaking the pain cycle.

I'm sorry you are so discouraged right now.... and who can blame you w/ a month+ headache! But hang in there.... call your neurologist (I know the money thing sucks).... and explore the possibility of getting something IV to help you at least get this cycle broken.

I really hope you feel better and can get rid of this awful headache! --Tina
Posted 6/17/2013 5:36 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Blessed, for your response.

I haven't been on any meds for this headache nor for FM or past headaches.... I have done everything med free considering I'm so sensitive to meds ever since having FM issues. Often, meds cause me insomnia and sleep deprivation and extra eye pressure, and I'm not sure which is worse... this long lasting headache, or the feeling of weeks of unrestful sleep. Sorry I sound so pessimistic. In this circumstance, though, I do feel willing to try a med because I just want to see if its possible to stop the pain cycle as you said... and also to make sure there isn't anything majorly wrong with a doc's appointment of tests. I've actually never seen a neurologist... ever. Only a rheumy who diagnosed me with FM two years ago.

I wonder if a neurologist would be able to explain to me why foods like the chemicals in microwave popcorn cause me vertigo and throbbing head pain. I would love to know what's going on. Why is my neurological system reacting so strongly to my diet and specific ingredients that seem to be so toxic to me. I don't know if they'll have the answers... I wonder if MSG could have caused some kind of hemorrhage or blood vessel issue or what. So strange.
Posted 6/18/2013 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
For a while I was on an antidepressant for migraines and it helped a ton. It's a preventative and considering you've been dealing with them so regularly, it may be an option for you. I would definitely consult with a neurologist at this point, it has been too long without relief. I am very pessimistic too and I think in my case, the antidepressant was a good option because I am depressed and it helped my migraines. If I began having migraines now, I would probably go to a regular clinic and ask them to prescribe me the antidepressant instead of going to a neurologist. Neurologists are way too expensive and I already know it worked for me. Do you take any hormones? I notice i get migraines a lot when I am having hormonal influxes. I have been able to manage them for about a year by taking a different birth control pill - that's how I got off the antidepressant.

If you're not open to taking meds, perhaps you could try something alternative like acupuncture or dietary restrictions but i don't have too much faith in those types of things becuase they never seem to help me.
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