Headaches that Seem to Last Forever

I went to the doctor today with a headache that I've had since last Tuesday night. It has been one sided at times, throbbed at times, but mainly felt like a red hot poker was stuck through one temple to the other. I haven't been able to sleep the last few nights because it has been hurting so much. I have been taking pain killers like they are going out of style along with many other alternative remedies but nothing has worked.

The doctor said it was a combination headache, partially tension and partially migraine. He recommended a muscle relaxant and pain killer. The headache isn't gone but I'm definitely feeling better. He thinks the muscles in my forehead are spasming which are triggering migraines.

I thought I would post this in case anyone else is going through the same thing or if anyone has found other remedies that work for combination headaches.

Thanks!

Hi Sara,

Before I went to the doctor I had been taking Triptans on and off, I try not to take them daily because of rebound headaches. I had also been taking Tylenol with Codeine daily (I know rebound). He gave me Atavan, Celebrex and told me to take it with Tylenol with Codeine.

I sent you a message in response to another message you posted. The doctor says the muscles in my forehead are spasming, the same muscles where I receive my Botox injections. I wondered if you had heard of this being a side effect of Botox injections.

My drug cocktail broke the headache for about a day and its back again. Its frustrating because it's just lurking in the background. I know it's not rebound because with rebound I can make them go with more meds. It's not a straight migraine because it's across my whole forehead and is constant strong pain. Other than that I don't know what it is.

Thanks!

I have seriously considered rebound headaches, though I think I know a rebound headache and this isn't. This is a dull heavy feeling in my forehead and temples and at first I seriously thought that's what these were. The only medication I take enough to cause rebound headaches is Tylenol with Codeine and usually if I'm desperate I can take enough to make it go away - and then start weaning off it. I use Aleve and reduce the Tylenol by Codeine by one or two every two or three days and am usually successful until the next set of major migraines.

The difference with this headache is that it is significantly more painful than a rebound and it's not the same dull like I usually experience with rebound. It has a sharp fiery feeling and Tylenol with Codeine does nothing for it, not even reduce it. The muscle relaxants and anti-inflamatories seem to be doing the trick and have taken the edge off. I've started weaning off the Tylenol again using Aleve seeing as the Tylenol isn't doing any good anyway and the Aleve seems to be contributing to relaxing the muscles.

Thanks for the thoughts.