Read my reply to Facial Pain 2/15. I researched TMJ disorders and was so releived that I hadnt lost my mind afterall!

Hello. Sorry to hear youve been having such bad headaches. The first thing that popped into my head as you were describing some of your symptoms was a condition called arnold chiari malformation or ACM.


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WAIT: FIRST LET ME SAY THAT I DO NOT INTENT TO SCARE YOU OR SEND YOU INTO AN ANXIETY ATTACK, THIS IS JUST WHAT CAME TO MY MIND WHEN READING YOUR POST.
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I myself have this, and it can cause massive migraine headaches, upon other things if its progressing.

I went to this website and got this information for you, I think you may be interested in reading it, but heres a sample of what it says...
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Adults and adolescents who are unaware they have Arnold-Chiari I type malformation may develop headache that is predominantly located in the back of the head and is increased by coughing or straining. Symptoms of progressive brain impairment may include dizziness, an impaired ability to coordinate movement, double vision, and involuntary, rapid, downward eye movements.
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Does any of that sound like it fits how you feel? Well here is that website just incase you would like to read more on it.
http://headaches.about.com/od/essentialinfosheets/a/chiari_info.htm


Here is another website that might interest you, its sort of like a fact sheet on arnold chiari malformation.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/chiari/chiari.htm


Like I said, I myself have this. I didnt even know I had it until they did an MRI and they just happened to find it then, otherwise I would have gone my whole life not knowing. I am 28 now, and I believe I was about 24 when they found it, along with a pituitary tumor, which also gives me really bad headaches, and dizziness, pretty much the same symptoms that the arnold chiari does. Right now my arnold chiari is stable. I do not need surgery at this time, but there is a message board somewhere on the net that has people on there who have gone through the surgery. I think its called chips page or something like that.

I am not in anyway saying that this is what you have or that this is what is wrong with you, I am just saying that when I read your post and your symptoms and then where you complain of having pain, and more pain upon sneezing ect, thats what made me think of the ACM.

The only way to know for sure if infact thats what it is though is to have an MRI done. I hope that its not that severe. Take care and good luck. :)
Aurora

Hey, I'm new to this computer communication stuff.  I read your symptoms and thought of myself.  I'm scheduled for an MRI tomorrow morning.  Hopefully, I(they) will discover the cause of these abnormal headaches.  My pain also starts at the base of my skull and radiates up and over my head.  Then it feels like my brain is contracting.  It only lasts for a few minutes though.  So far, I've been diagnosed with a migraine variant, tension headaches, and depression.  None of which I truely have. AND Who doesn't have stress in their lives?  But that isn't the cause of these "strange" symptoms.  Maybe I'll know more soon??? Thanks for listening.  Mel