Terrible headaches

[saucygrl]

I'm new to this community and was diagnosed in October 2011.  I have read other posts about people having headaches.  My doctor gave me 40mg Nadolol twice a day to try and help them, but it doesn't do a whole lot.  Ibuprofen and acetaminaphin don't do anything either.  Ice on my head helps, but I'm really tired of my head constantly hurting.  I was wondering if anybody had any other ideas.  

[maestro1959]

I also have a constant, severe headache that began with a traumatic brain injury in November of 2009.  It has never completely gone away.  My doctor tried several things, and finally found that Duragesic patches help.  The headache is always there as if on the verge of taking off, but the patch has made a world of difference.

My neurologist said that MS does not cause headaches.  In my case, we could pinpoint its beginning with specificity.  I just wonder if others can track it with their Multiple Sclerosis.

The generic patch is Fentanyl.  I now use the 75mcg/hr, and I change it every 72 hours.  

I hope you can get relief.  I find headaches to be very debilitating.

[saucygrl]

Thank you all for your suggestions!  I tried Qi Gong today and the deep breathing seemed to offer some relief.  Definitely going to follow up on your suggestions.  These headaches are the pits!

[Mike_Shuswap]

Although I do not have constant headache pain, I do get headaches often enough that I talked to my Doc about it.

He prescribed Pantoloc, which I take as required. The drug is easy on the stomach, but it does cause doziness.

Not sure if this could be taken on a daily basis for constant headaches, but it might be worth looking into.

Mike

[ku111]

My son Jordan suffers terrible headaches usually behind left eye and accasionally the right.  Nothing has helped him but we are going to Dr. in a couple of weeks to try accupuncture.  I wish you the best!  We haven't found anything to help either and it is really starting to wear him down.  I am sorry but maybe accupuncture will work for us!  Goodluck!

[zoefromsussex]

Hi, sorry to hear about your headache's. I get terrible headache's & dental pain and have found Co-dydramol (think that's the correct spelling!) to be the most useful. It might be best to check it out with your doctor's in case there's an explanation. All the best, Zoe

[twopack]

Like GG I'm lucky and not prone to get headaches.  What you describe doesn't sound like nerve pain and that is SUCH a good thing.  

I don't think lesions themselves cause headaches.  The brain doesn't have nerve endings to sense pain.  Besides, even lesions that appear large on MRI are actually quite small.  They are usually measured in single digit millimeters and it takes >25 mm to make an inch.  Lesions make their presence known through symptoms rather than direct pain.

Any chance your headaches might be the result of some new medication you started at the time of your last flare?  Or maybe even related to some autonomic function of the brain that is out of wack?

I wish I had some better idea for you to help you get some relief.  Only thing I'd know to do is find a good massuse and practice relaxation meditations.  Those things might not rid your head of the pain but they do usually help me feel better in general.  Sure hope your doc is a bigger help than me.

Mary

[saucygrl]

The headaches are mostly in the front of my head (forehead area and back about 2-3 inches).  They feel like a REALLY bad extended sinus headache but, I don't have any congestion.  My MRI showed that I have 3 lesions in the frontal lobe, but they were no longer active.  Sometimes it feels like my head has a huge weight in the front.  I have a history of migraines and I think that's why he thought the Nadolol would help.  I had an endometrial ablasion about 8 years ago and the migraines were cut by about 75-80% so I think they were definitely hormone related.  These headaches have definitely gotten worse since I had my worst flare-up in October/November.  

[twopack]

Could you tell us a little more about the specific location and nature of your headache pain?  I'm wondering what your neuro thinks is causing a constant headache like this.

We have several members who experience severe, hard to control head pain as a result of trigeminal neuralgia.  If that is what you are having you may need a completely different kind of medicine than Nadolol.  Anti-seizure drugs (like tegratol, trileptal, and gabapentin) are more helpful for the pain of neuropathy.

I'd call the doctor's office Monday rather than wait another two weeks myself.  If the doc decides to try something else he may want to taper your dose of Nadolol before stopping it completely.

Hope you can get this under control soon.
Mary

[saucygrl]

I see the neuro in 2 weeks.  He increased the dosage 2 weeks ago, but it's not helping any more than the lower dose does.  I'll definitely ask about trying something else.  

[Guitar_grrrl]

Welcome to the forum!  I, personally don't have headaches, but I'm sure others will pipe in with their experiences.  I use acupuncture for spams and energy, and I find it effective for increased energy.

Have you told your neuro the Nadolol isn't touching your pain?  MS can be tricky with all the myriad symptoms, and a symptom management med may work for one person, but not another.  There's lots of different meds that may offer relief, and since the one you're on isn't working, ask for another.

Keep in touch, and let us know how you do.
Cheers

[saucygrl]

I use acupuncture too!  It helps most of my symptoms a lot, but the headaches are still an issue.

[bettebelle]

I personally turned to acupuncture and have found great relief. :)