Link between Depression & Headaches

I have had headaches since I was eight years old; I am now 33. I was put on Topomax (topamax) in May and I am now currently on 175mg working my way to 200mg. I am seeing no end in sight. The headaches aren't giving me a break! I am in so much pain the only way I can make it through the day is to take pain meds. I'm OVER it. When I stop the meds my headaches get so bad they are unbearable. My body and mind doesn't need the meds it my pounding head! It has finally occurred to me that it may be depression causing my headaches. I have some deep-seated issues that instead of dealing with I stay busy by keeping my kids in tons of activities so I never have down time to think about anything. I think this year has finally come to a head with my husband, a career military pilot, having a major surgery and being laid up and two kids breaking bones, one kids having a major surgery, my father dying unexpectedly, and me having to handle his estate, the list could go on…  I'm just realizing I'm not superwoman and I'm stretched thin. I give and give and give. Having done this for years and not asking for anything in return has wore me down and I'm depressed and my body is acting out by taking my headaches that I'd have 2-5 times a month and giving them to me daily. Then with me throwing meds at them has only compounded the issue, not realizing I was hurting myself in the long run. So my questions to you docs out there...how can I get off the meds with out being up at 4:00 am in so much pain that I can't sleep  (I ready the book Heal your Headache and the author only said get off of them and not how) are there conflicts between anti-depressants and Topomax (topamax), by all accounts, I am a perfectly healthy woman otherwise, I eat healthy, exercise, not overweight, non-smoker, seldom drinker (several months since my last glass of wine) I just need help. I start therapy in October and I expect progress. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Jade59]

I don't have a suggestion for you I'm afraid, just some sympathy.  I began having tension headaches when I was 17 which was the beginning of the downfall of my health.  Not a single minute went by that my head wasn't pounding until I stopped working at age 35.  I was just one of those people who carried all my tension in my neck, shoulders and upper back.  I'm not sure what topomax (topamax) is for.  I think it's for migraine?  Drs thought MINE were migraine, but they were tension so migraine meds didn't work.  Oh, I do remember something non-medicinal.  I went to a physical therapy office that offered Masage.  This girl knew how to deal with headaches and massaged my head along with neck and shoulders.  Amazing relief.  First time I was pain free even for a minute in years.  Of course it was temporary, but worth the moment.  Best of luck to you.

[Jade59]

P.S. I forgot to mention the fact that I have had depression/anxiety my whole life and I think it's the constant stress and tension that started my headaches.  Your story sounds like you are under a LOT of stress so your muscles never get to relax so the headaches are always there.  Not to mention the rebound pain one gets from taking meds for so long.  I am sure you're depressed like you mention, but it sounds like your alot more STRESSED!!   I bet if you could get some muscle tension relief you might not need to go down the anti-depressant road.  Also, your body may be telling you it WANTS to talk about your issues.  If nothing else, keep on posting.