Do you know what these headaches are?

[abi1982]

I have had persistent headaches for the past month. I do not wake up with a headache, but it develops within an hour of waking. It then lasts all day till I fall asleep. Intensity varies between 4 and 9.

The pain is pulsating but the spot varies (temples, forehead, behind eyes, back of head, nose, jaw) - it also changes sides and at times is on both sides of my head.

I am sensitive to noise, and especially light, and the pain is worse with movement/exertion. I have had nausea and vomiting, however not every day.

I don't have any personal or family history of migranes. I have previously had a history of tension headaches when under lots of stress, however am not currently under much stress. There was no precipitating event (illness/injury/etc) that I can pinpoint.

Most medications I have tried have little or no effect - paracetamol, ibuprofen, combinations with codeine, mersyndol, tramadol, oxycodone, maxalt.  

When it was bad enough to visit the ER they gave aspirin/codeine, imigran and fluids. This had some effect (reduced pain from 9 to 5).

My doctor (and the ER) do not know what this is - apparently it does not seem like migrane (pain moves) or tension (quality/intensity of pain/light sensitivity). The doc said it did seem to have some migrane like character since the imigran helped.

I have had a head ct which was normal apart from a probable sinus polyp. I have a referral to a ENT however apparently these don't usually cause headaches unless an infection is present (I don't have one). My bloodwork doesn't say much except I may have or have had a virus.

does anyone know of any possibilities?? or tests i should be asking for?

[abi1982]

thanks for the reply - I finally got an appointment with an ENT tomorrow to discuss the sinus polyp. If that doesn't explain the pain, then the GP will send me to a neurologist.

I assume they will be the ones to order these types of test. I have only had a non-contrast head ct at this stage.

I went to a physio today who said my neck and upper back were extremely tight but massage didn't improve the pain, and the 'pain centres' in my neck that the pressed (very firmly!) did not make the headache worse and appear to be causing the pain. They concluded that the tightness might be making things worse but doesn't seem to be the main issue.

so I'm back to the sinus issue or some type of non-standard headache.

Did the MRA give you your diaganosis? I'll keep this in mind should i get to the neurologist stage.

[autvinry]

Have you had mri done on your vascular...thru the neck....I think it it is actually an mra? I had this done 2 yrs ago for same type of symptoms you are encountering....good luck to you.