I give up.

For the past year I have been suffering from chronic headaches. I anywhere from 10-15 days of headaches per month. I have had 3 CT scans (with and without contrast and 1 MRI/MRA (with and without contrast), I've had my eye glasses prescription changed/updated AND have went to the dentist twice to make sure none of my teeth could be causing me problems. I have no diseases other than Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I must admit that over the past year a lot of stressful/bad things have happened (moved out of parents house - 100 miles away, my father died suddenly, "adopted" a 16 year old boy, started a new job, HATE my new job, etc). This is all just getting very overwhelming. The headaches hurt from the bottom neck, up to the back of my ear, into my temples and then finally stopping at my eyes. It is mostly just a dull pain but sometimes there is some stabbing. These headaches do not wake me up at night and can usually be calmed down by taking 2 Ibuprofen but as soon as the med wears off, the headache is back again. What could be causing this craziness? These headaches really put a damper on my social life. I've tried soaking in a hot bath, ice packs, massage, but nothing.

I do smoke cigarettes, I drink 1 cup of coffee a day and 2 cokes per day.

I am currently on day 8 of this headache. It is on the right side of the back of my head. It is a dull pain but will occasionally get a sharp, stabbing pain that lasts about 2 seconds.

[mcamp]

what meds have you tried, and have you seen a neurologist?

I too have about 4 days a week of headaches, have had them for 43 years. I take fioricetw/cod when I have one, zoloft reduces the frequency somewhat, but not enough to make it worth taking it on a daily basis.

I have always delt with general practitioners (md's) but I am going to see a neurologist in a couple days.

[sdawnstiles]

Currently the only thing I am taking is Lexapro for my anxiety, which I've been on for approx. 3-4 years. The last time I visited my Neurologist was in February, that's when he ordered the MRI/MRA with and without contrast. After reviewing the results he told me it was due to stress. Unfortunately there aren't a lot of medications I can take for my headaches (preventative wise) due to my low blood pressure and use of an SSRI. I was thinking about trying a chiropractor. I guess I will just continue to wait it out....that's if I don't go crazy first! haha! (just kidding).

[sdawnstiles]

They also did three (yes 3!) different blood tests on me, all including a CBC.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
There is a chance that you have compression of the spinal nerves in the cervical spine region. This can happen due to overuse of computers, work involving straining of neck, canal stenosis, bone disease, spondylosis, poor posture etc. Spinal nerve compression causes the headaches typically explained by you ‘ The headaches hurt from the bottom neck, up to the back of my ear, into my temples and then finally stopping at my eyes.’
Hope this helps. It is difficult to comment beyond this at this stage. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!