Chronic Headaches, fatigue, swellings behind ears. PLEASEHELPME.

[Greta]

I'm a 22 year old female who,on February 12,began experiencing severe headaches.I literally went to bed on the 11th fine and on the 12th woke up in pain.The pain hasn't stopped since.Have been through SO many tests, scans, etc,with no relief.I'm exhausted from the pain and my doctors treat me quite badly at this point, because they're tired of seeing me and seem to have decided it's psychological.It's not,I can assure you,I was happy and healthy,when this all began.My energy yo-yos,to add to all this.One minute I'll be fine and the next-with no warning-I'll be so weak I'llhave to sit down on the floor.Things LOOK strange-almost so magnified that they are distorted,if that makes any sense to you,as it doesn't to me,or to any doctor I've seen.
And I have these swellings,rock hard and painful,behind my ears.
I've seen neurologists,but they run me through the basic exam and send me on my way,telling me it's all in my head.  
Well,it IS in my head.And it hurts.A lot.I would dearly love to have my life back.I used to be active physically and socially.Now I drag myself out of bed each day to avoid falling into a depression,but even doing small things like walking around is quite hard.Doctors keep prescribing things like Vioxx,but I don't want to take them because I view them as a bandaid-type cure: treating symptoms,not the problem.If Ido take the pain meds that keep getting pushed at me,they don't do anything except make me sleepy.I live in NYC.Can you recommend a doctor in this huge city?I've exhausted my insurance.
Please help me,I beg you.This is no life.
In hope,
Greta

[111360]

I feel you should look into Sjogren's Syndrome.  That can cause some     of your symptoms.  With Sjogren's the salivary glands can swell and/or parotid glands.  It is an autoimmune disease.  good luck.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

I would recommend either going to Cornell, Columbia, or NYU for further care. Have your doctors evaluated your brain for blocked veins. This can result in persistant headaches, and fluctuating neurologic symptoms. Also, some chronic low grade infections can present in this fashion. Therfore, a spinal fluid analysis may need to be done. Lastly, while the docotrs are evaluating this problem further it may not be a bad idea to see a psychiatrist or psychologist. I recommend this to help you deal with the pain and emotional aspects of being sick, not because I think you are "crazy". Good luck.