Posted by CCF Neuro MD on August 12, 1997 at 20:52:18:

In Reply to: Cronic headaches and fatigue posted by Fred Geipel on July 16, 1997 at 00:15:07:

: My wife has been suffering cronic headaches for the past 3 1/2 years.
She has also developed fatigue. She does play racketball every morning,
then after taking a shower has to lay down for anywhere from 3 to 6 hours
afterwards. She`s had a broad range of tests done with negitive results.
Extenstive blood work,CT scans,EEG`s, MRI`s all with negitive results.She
has problems sleeping most of the time. She`s been to the Stanford Pain
Clinic. No one`s been able to find anything wrong. The pain she is in, on
a scale from 1-10, she runs between a 7 and sometimes a 12, she has never
been pain free for the last three years.She`s been on eveything from aspirin
to morphine, with no improvement. Her neorlogist has ruled out Cronic
Fatigue syndrome, and also Fibromyalgia. Her Dr. mentioned Bobinski Reflex.
She is on a Duragesic pain patch at the present time, it`s is helping her
cope with the pain a little better, but when the med runs down her limbs
start to ache real bad, and this interfers with her sleep at night.She has
also with in the last year developed a bad case of depression, which the
Dr`s put her Prozac, lately she is complaining of she can`t catch her
breath, this seems to be wrose in the morning.We`ve also tried accupucture,
chropratics and message, with no releive. All her Dr.`s seem to have
thrown up there hands. We`ve been through a lot of Dr`s with this illness.
She is 50 yrs old, done with menopose.IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS THAT MIGHT BE
OF INTREST IF WOULD BE DEEPLY APPRICIATED, THANK YOU ALL IN ADVANCE,
Fred Geipel

Dear Fred:

I can understand that your wife’s problem is a complex and difficult one. The relative chronicity of the problem, as also the extensive negative evaluations she has had at some very reputed institutions, seem to indicate that a life-threatening or serious etiology (cause) of her bothersome symptoms is very unlikely. I think both you and your wife should find this reassuring. What remains to be accomplished is a symptomatic treatment to make life more pleasant and fulfilling for your wife. With current-day medications and pain management interventions, this should not be very difficult.
In case your wife wishes to have still another diagnostic opinion, any of the neurologists at the Cleveland Clinic would be very happy to see her. The number to call for appointments is (216)444-5559, or (800)223-2273 toll free. The Cleveland Clinic also has a very active Pain Management Department which may be able to help your wife.

This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options of your specific medical condition.