daily life with headaches

[grannieof4]

I have lived with headaches and migraines everyday for the past 38 years.  Not a day goes by that I don't have a headache.  I have been to every doctor under the sun, they have tryed many many different meds, I have had nerve blocks, traction, given 10's units to use on nerves.  I have been thru every test you can think of.  The newest thing I have done is change my diet, I eat no chocolate, cheese, processed foods, nuts, alcahol, I don't smoke, done eat pork, citrus fruit, yeast products, pretty much everything.  I only thing I eat is food that is fresh like fruit vegs, beef and chicken.  I still have the headaches everyday.  Doctors have no answer for me.  The med fironal and imitrex are the only two things that give me any relief and that only will last a couple of hours.  I don't know if I can spend the rest of my life with this pain.  I spend much time in bed just trying to keep my head still.  Is there anyone out there that has found some kind of relief that I haven't tried.  I'm desperate.  My stomach can't take much more of the med, and I don't know where to turn anymore.  DESPERATE.

[jcverive]

You are describing classical occipital neuralgia symptoms. You need to be seen by a pain clinic doctor or neurologist.

I've been dealing with left-sided occipital neuralgia for the past 30 years, though the pain became constant some 14 years ago.

[donna535]

okay.....can anyone help me? I am 17 yrs old and I have recurring migraines in the back left part of my head every or every other day. These last usually 2-6 hours and I dont know what to do!!!! It feels like someone is stabbing me in the back of the head.....:(

[Judy_77]

Have you checked out MSG....it's in everything...even sprayed on some fresh veg/fruits...you may be one of those people who is very, very sensitive.

[jstreet]

I saw Dr. Buchholz for treatment.   I was taking Topomax from another neurologist and Dr. B didn't believe it was good.  Then I guess within a yr or so, he published about the goodness of Topomax.  I do really advocate his diet deals and rebounding advice...

[taubebecker]

have you had an mra of the head and neck to rule out any vascular disorders?  

My husband was recently diagnosed with an AV fistula which is an abnormal connection between ann artery and a vein in his head.     He has stroke in his family so when he got the same type headache you describe, we kept going until we found a doctor who could help us.
He had severe migraines ( 1 or 2  a month) for years, but 4 mos ago he got bad, pounding headaches, felt and heard his pulse over his ear.  He hears it at night when he tries to sleep.    
This sound is called a BRUIT (pronounced bru-wee)  which is NOT normal.  

He had bloodwork and mri's - all normal.    

He went through at least 5 docs.  1st neurologist diagnosed something called occipital neuralgia, and prescribed PT for his neck. This doctor never even put a stethoscope to his head. He would have heard the bruit.

The radiologist at the mri center told me said my husband should have an MRA (MRI of arteries) so our family doctor ordered it.   This is a non-invasive, 15 min test...painless.   Came back normal according to the report.  We went to another neurologist who read the CD and FOUND the fistula.    He is surprised the radiologist did not see it on the films.  We are now in the process of getting this fixed.  

Also there is an excellent book on migraines written by a neurologist from Johns Hopkins - Buchholz.
He claims that all  headaches are vascular in nature.    I do a ton of reading...and what he says makes a lot of sense.   Check out all the five star reviews.  He claims you can get migraine under control with a combination of diet changes and preventative prescriptions drugs...    I do not get migraines myself but I get headaches frequently and I have really reduced the severity by following his plan.  BIG RECOMMENDATION is to cut out caffeine.  Buchholz claims there is rebound headache from overuse of certain headache meds, such as Imitrex, Amerge, etc...     It takes about 4 months, but he claims he has helped alot of people.  

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/0761127984/sr=8-1/qid=1189796735/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_top/102-0814338-3260146?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&qid=1189796735&sr=8-1#customerReviews

[Atilla]

Have your doctors ever recommended trying an antidepressant to block your magraines such as Elavil?  Also, I don't know if you suffer from high blood pressure, but there are also some that are used for help with the magraines.   Hope these suggestions are somewhat helpful.  

take care

[donna80]

indomethacin is what is giving for this type of headache and if it works thats your diagnosis.. i wish you the v ery best and i so hope you get relief soon..

take care (big hugs)

[grannieof4]

I have seen a herbal specialist no help, also the biofeedback wasn't any help either but no one ever mentioned Hemicrania continua or paraxysmal hemicrania before something I will look into.  Thank you for the info.

[donna80]

Has Hemicrania continua and chronic paroxysmal hemicrania ever been mentioned as a diagnosis? Have you tryed indomethacin? what about pure oxygen when it gets so bad? and what about biofeedback? also have you been to a herbal specialist?

So sorry your suffering.