head aches for over 10 months

I have suffered from constant head aches for over 10 months. They can vary from mild ache to extreme pain to where I cannot stand any sound or movement around me. During a bad headache my sight is sometimes blurry but not to the point that I cannot function. My left eye will close and feel swollen. During the night my headaches sometimes wake me up and up need to be vertical for relief. I have seen doctors and they have done the appropiate test (cscan) and they stated that nothing is wrong and my GP told me to quit my job and find something relaxing. I cannot afford to just quit my job as I support may family. I have been prescribed medication for migraines but they are not effective, as the doctors stated that I do not have migraines. I take over the counter pain meds every day and quite often find myself taking Oxycodone to find some relief. I feel that I cannot return to my doctor as I feel that he does not take me seriously as my pain cannot be seen.

About 2 years ago I was giving a seminar at work and during the delivery I started to slur my words and my left eye lid closed. I was removed from the room and I left the building. I rested for two days and saw my doctor the next week and he dismissed the issue as I did not seek medical attention at the time of the incident. Since this incident I have difficulty with words and phrases that I did not before. I found myself more emotional after this incident also.

I am at a loss on where to turn other  than medication and concerned that I may become dependent.  

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Stuart

[marileew]

Hi Stuart

I think you need to see a new neurologist. Please try to see a new neurologist (if you've already seen a neurologist) to get your symptoms assessed. It sounds to me like you have atypical migraines... but, migraines, and it is weird to me that your doctor would say you don't. But! I am not a doctor so I can't diagnose you at all, please don't take my word on this at all. BUT! What you should take my word on is that you don't feel like you are getting care and you deserve care so please see a doctor, a doctor that you trust, an a doctor that understands headaches and neurological symptoms... so, a neurologist. They will be able to understand your symptoms and diagnose you properly.

I see you are a Canadian... me too! If you can't find a good neurologist in Ontario yourself... give me a shout and I'll help you find one that will help you, okay? You might have to wait up to a year or two to see a good neurologist in Canada (yay our stressed health system... don't get me wrong, i really do love it... but... when it comes to waitlists, i can't help but cringe!!)... but, you'll see one eventually! And maybe sooner, and when you DO see one, it will be worth it, okay? I might even be able to help you find a decent GP in Ontario... I dunno. You might have to travel somewhere... but, I can look around for you... someone on the forum must know of a good GP for headaches in Ontario. And... I can give you some tips on navigating around our waitlist problem too, okay? I know how to work our system a bit so that you're not waiting years for help... suffering from chronic headaches myself, I've learned a few tricks to get around red tape. I'm your new Canadian headache friend! :)