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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Daily headaches upon waking
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Daily headaches upon waking
by Dracee322, Dec 08, 2004 12:00AM
I have been suffering from chronic headaches for the last couple of years. They seem to range in type. Lately, for about the last 20 days, I have woke up every single day with head pain with involved neck and pain all the way down my spine. Sometimes it gets better upon getting up and moving around. Then it varies throughout the day. This has happened in the past (maybe twice)where I seem to get a marathon like headache that varies day to day in intensity. Between those episodes I still experience headaches several times per week but they are functional(I have learned to deal with them). I believe I also get migraines mixed in because some days it is just unbearable and I get blurred vision, dizziness, nausea ect. I can also have just a mild-moderate headache and then get shooting/squeezing pains that shoot right through my head (frightenening!)and then go away. Trust me, when this occurs I wait to see if I am going to fall over!I did have an MRI in July that was essentially normal. I have never got very far with a diagnosis/treatment but have tried. I would never take any narcotics nor would I want to get involved in anything with rebound potential because of the "dailyness" of my headaches.I have some form of head and neck pain combo at least a portion of every day. Because I wake up with them(either in the late night or early am)can you help shed some light on what may be going on? I do deal with a lot of fatigue which is probably related to non-restorative sleep.Why do I have some form of headache all the time? Would trazadone or pamelor work for prevention and how?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Dec 09, 2004 12:00AM
Your case is very complex, and it would be appropriate for you to have an evaluation with a headache specialist. If you are in the area we have a wonderful headache center with many experienced staff members. I cannot make specific recommendations without evaluating you. In general, patients who have daily headaches may benefit from a preventive therapy. Preventive therapies have been found from many different types of medication. Some of these include blood pressure medications (beta-bockers and verapamil), depression medication (Elavil, Pamelor, and Trazadone), and seizure medication (Depakote, Topamax, Neurontin). These are just a few possible medications which can be tried.
An evaluation with a headache specialist is preferred, because a comprehensive treatment plan can be arranged. Good luck.
An evaluation with a headache specialist is preferred, because a comprehensive treatment plan can be arranged. Good luck.
