17 Month Continuous Headache

Hi.  I have been suffering from really bad headaches for about 5 years and the problem has been steadily getting worse.  I've had headaches all my life like any normal person but about 5 years ago i started getting an occasional headache that would be much much worse.  

The type of pain seems to fit tension type-headache, with a sensation of a tight band around my head, and the most pain at the back and front on my head.  And just like tension headache, exercise does not make it worse.   Also it has elements of migraine as I would become dizzy and sick and often throw up.  And the pain is much more severe then a normal tension headache.

At first I didn't take much notice as they were rare at the start and would only last a few hours.  But they have gradually increased in frequency to the point of being continuous.  My headache became continuous on October 27th 2008 and i have not had a single moment pain-free since (nearly 17 months).  I remember the date because the pain is unbelievable.  Some days are better than others but my pain level is always between 5/10 and 10/10.  But only occasionally hits 10.

My headaches first became continuous when i was working in a high stress office job.  I was very over worked and stressed.  One day after work the pain became so bad that i collapsed and could no longer walk.  I stayed a night in hospital and doctors could not really find much wrong with me.  Blood test, CT scan, chest X-ray, nasal X-ray, all came back fine.  They gave me some codepane forte and anti-inflamitories and told me that i had tension headache/migraine.  And that i should just take it easy and have some muscular-skeletal therapy.

I have always been very physically active, playing soccer most days and i still do to this day.  I haven't been working much at all, I have been doing everything possible to de-stress.  The headache doesn't stop me from moving around, they are just extremely painful.  The strongest over the counter medication only partially reduces the pain.  So i decided to save painkillers for special occasions and emergencies.  To help myself deal with the pain i kick a soccer ball around when i can.  It gets my mind off the pain.  This is me:  http://www.youtube.com/joefreestyle

I have spent thousands of dollars on:
Chiropractor (for the past 10 years also)
Various phyisio therapists
acupuncture
cranial sacral therapy
massage therapy
Chinese medicine

All of these only reduced the pain for about 30 mins or so and never removed the pain (at best).  I then reached the conclusion that my headache is not being driven by only muscular skeletal problems.  In fact, my last therapist told me to get a blood test again because she could not see anything in me that could be causing muscular skeletal headaches.

So i got a blood test a month ago.  My Iron was 31 (30 - 300 normal range).  And my DHEA was low as well.  My doctor was a little concerned about my thyroid.

He gave me prescribed 50mg of DHEA daily along with Iodine and Iron supplements.  I have been taking them for a few weeks with no real change in my symptoms.

I've been desperate for a solution because this pain has really been destroying my life.  I simply cannot live an independent and normal life without a cure.

Any help or advise would be greatly appreciated.



      

[dame_wilbur]

Have you seen a  neurologist? I know that chiropractic and acupuncture, massage therapy etc. can help. However, if what you're experiencing is effecting your life, like you say it is, it  might well be time to bring out a neurologist and ask for their opinion.

I've had a constant migraine since Spt.'01, so I know how debilitating the head pain can be. My neuro has me on several meds that help minimize the symptoms of the migraines. If you do have CDH or status migrainous, then it's really important to get medical help, including the Western practices.

Good luck, and let us know what's happening.

~Dame

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? Are there other symptoms present? Another differential is hemicrania continua,  a rare form of chronic headache. This presents with continuous pain on one side of the face and physical exertion and alcohol use may increase the severity.  Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as indomethacin usually provides rapid relief from symptoms.  Talk to your doctor about this/ Take care and do keep us posted.