Cervicogenic/occipital headaches misdiagnosed as migraines

I should start by saying that I suffer from hyperextension of the knees, I was born with it, it was not d/t injury.

I was diagnosed with migraine headaches at 14 and was put on elavil.  I also suffered a knee injury at 14 that caused my knee cap to go out of place.  The daily elavil was sufficient until the age of 17 when the headaches got much worse.  This was about the same time my knee cap again went out of place.  I missed more school than I attended and finally was home schooled for the remainder of my senior year of high school.  The headaches prior to meds were daily and constant.  After 4 months they were able to stop the majority of the headaches with a combo of the elavil, depakote and topamax.  I continued this regimen for about 4 years at which point I weaned off the topamax.  After the weight gaining side effects of the depakote frustrated me, I went back on topamax and weaned off depakote.  I have continued the elavil and topamax for the last 4 years.  I have tried to wean off meds and within 1 week of a lower dose have full fledged headache again.

There are a couple reasons I seek a cause of the headaches, but the biggest being, I want to be a mom, and can't get pregnant safely on these meds.

I have found research of an MD in Austrailia in regards to cervicogenic headaches and hyperextension of the knees (d/t this changes the entire alignment of my spine).  But had never even heard of cervicogenic headaches prior to 24 hours ago.  Does anyone suffer from them?  Do I need to see an orthopedist or a headache specialist?

Thanks

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? Head pain that is referred from the bony structures or soft tissues of the neck  or cervicogenic headache may be caused by head or neck injury and also in the absence of trauma. A diagnostic criteria has been made by The Cervicogenic Headache International Study Group and successful treatment  usually requires a multifaceted approach using pharmacologic, nonpharmacologic, manipulative, anesthetic, and occasionally surgical interventions. Check with your doctor or be referred to a  headache specialist for proper diagnosis. Take care and do keep us posted.