Headache every day

[Jessie]

For three months now I have been plagued with a headache every day/night, it has not gone away.  Sometimes I get sharp pains above my left eye and at the left temple.  Along with this I have been terribly tired and also have gained weight, also have constant ringing in my ears.  I have made an appt with my family doctor, I am wondering, while during this appt, are there certain tests or questions I should be sure are done/asked by myDr?  Also, what can I do to make sure everything is being done to help diagnose my problem?

Thank you for your time.
Jessie

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Jessie:

Things that you want your physician to know are the intensity, location, quality (what type of pain: pulsating, pressure, etc), and does the headache change in any of these qualities from day to day.  What medications have been tried.  What makes the headache worse (lights, loud noise, activity) and better (dark quiet room, sleep).  Does the headache wake you up at night?  Is there a family history of migraine headaches.  Do you also have migraine headaches.  Are there associated neurological signs (loss of strength on one side of the body, loss of vision, optic hallucinations).  

These answers will help your physician correctly diagnose your headache type and then properly give you medications.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[PJ]

Jessie,
You may want to consider looking at a hormonal problem for your headaches too.  You did mention wt gain and tiredness. Are your menstrual cycles normal? Don't be afraid to mention any strange experiences that you many not think are related to your head. Skin problems, breast, hair, etc. Suggest some endocrine testing thyroid and maybe other pituitary hormones.
Good luck,
PJ

[Jessie]

Thank you both for your advice, I really appreciate the time taken to read this forum.  A year ago I had stopped taking depo-provera and havn't had a menstrual cycle for almost three years, your advice has given me a good direction to start with.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

thanks for the comments.

CCF Neuro MD

[Jessie]

So, I went to the Sr. today.  At first he thought it moght be hypothyroid but after he tested my reflexes and they were ok, he said it probobli isn't, but did order blood work.  He suggested I see a chiropractor for the headaches but gave me no other alternative or reason for my extreme tiredness.  I guess I will wait for the blood work to be sure it is not my thyroid, but if it turns out it is not I do not know where to go from there.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

I hope you find your answer to your headaches.

CCF Neuro MD

[PJ]

Jesse,
Have they ever done a MRI of your head?  This seems a logical thing to do to anyone with severe headaches.  
Also, don't accept no menses for three yrs!  This is not normal.  Push for hormonal testing, FH<LH<TSH<PRL<ACTH<GH<IGF-1
etc.  
keep us posted
PJ

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

thanks for the comments.

CCF Neuro MD

[Cindy]

I had daily headaches since my mid-twenties.  I am now 51.  Most days were bearable, but occassionally a week or two would go by when the only relief I could rely on was Tylenol with Codeine, or Amitryptoline injections for migrane.  

I am happy to say that I found my solution.  Last year, while sedated for an MRI, it was discovered that I suffer from severe sleep apnea.  Further testing at a sleep lab showed that I wake up hundreds of times a night.  Unknown to me, I had been suffering from sleep deprivation for years.  I was put on C-PAP therapy, which keeps airways open during sleep, and found relief from  chronic fatigue  and headache.  

Sleep apnea is not considered to be a common problem in women, but, in my case, that diagnosis changed and improved my life.

Thanks you.  I hope you find this helpful.

[Pat]

I don't understand how to get the answers to problems.

My husband is 81 years YOUG, very active, lately he is experienceing shocks in his big toe and arch of foot (left side) he is a heart patient also...This shocking keeps him awake at night. Can you give me any info on what to look for as far as the cause????

Thank You

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Pat:

I am not sure what to tell you about answers to problems?  Maybe you should sit down with your doctor and make sure you understand what he/she is trying to tell you.  The shock feeling in your husbands toe is difficult to tell you the etiology.  Alot depends on what diseases your husband has, such as diabetes, drinks alcohol, has amyloidosis, high blood pressure, etc.  Any of these could cause the symptoms.  I would see your neurologist and have him/her look at your husband.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Andy]

MY COUSIN HAS BEEN TOLD THAT SHE HAS SUPERIOR SAGITTAL THROMBOSIS AND PROTEIN S DEFECIANCY I CAN NOT FIND ANY INFORMATION ON THIS CAN YOU HELP ME OUT.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Andy:

Protein S is involved in keeping the coagulation event under control.  When the clot forms, the protein S is a part of the system that will eventually stop clot formation and allow the body to resolve the clot.  When it is deficient, the clotting system over-reacts and forms clots when it shouldn't.  Your sister had a clot in her venous system in her brain, when she shouldn't have formed a clot.  This can be caused by dehydration, infection, birth control pills, trauma, pregnancy, etc.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Debbie Z.]

I have had a constant right sided headache for 2 1/2 years and I also have ringing in my ears along with many other symptoms. Make sure you suggest an Mri of the brain and c-spine. Ask if you should see a neurologist. If you feel the need to talk just for support please e-mail me at ***@****. Try to hang in there it can be frustrating and stressfull. You will find that people do not understand and are not sympathetic (spelt wrong sorry). Do not let Drs tell you it is all stress and is all in your head. Push till someone helps you.
Good Luck
Debbie

[Debbie Z.]

I have had a constant right sided headache for 2 1/2 years and I also have ringing in my ears along with many other symptoms. Make sure you suggest an Mri of the brain and c-spine. Ask if you should see a neurologist. If you feel the need to talk just for support please e-mail me at ***@****. Try to hang in there it can be frustrating and stressfull. You will find that people do not understand and are not sympathetic (spelt wrong sorry). Do not let Drs tell you it is all stress and is all in your head. Push till someone helps you.
Good Luck
Debbie

[CCF Neuro[P] MD,RPS]

thanks for the comments.

CCF Neuro MD

[Eurico]

Jessie.

Have you ever had an MRI of your brain and cervical spine? My daughter had constant headaches, tinnitus (ringing in ears), constant fatigue as well as vision and oculomotor problems, among many others. She was diagnosed and successfully treated for Chiari I malformation. I believe most Chiari headaches are in the occipital region (back of the head).

Good luck.

[Karine]

I am a 22 y.o. women suffering from intense headaches that are    non-stop for over 1 year.I have recently had multiple ulcers in  my mouth and my doctor gave me penicilin for two weeks,the        headches went away for those 2wks but they came back as soon as  stop taking the medication . Is there any relationship ? I have  seen over 5doctors for my problem.

[Jim]

I am 43 yr old man with hypothyroid and hypertension.
Have also been told that I snore.
My headaches started about 15 yrs ago and grown worse.
Now they are constant, even affecting sleep now.
Have missed 4 days of work in last week.
One day went to my doctor's office and received shots of Toradol and Vistaril.
Yesterday I spent at local hospital ER.
While there, they did blood work and CAT scan.
Both returned normal.
ER doctor referred me to local neurologist.
Earliest appt I can get is 6 wks out.
Some doctors can't see anyone for 5 mos!
Please help - this is affecting my life.

Sincerely,
Jim

***@****

[maggie]

I have been sat here reading these for ages. I to have had headaches for 3 years . I have had a CT scan and LP .the last bad
headache resulted in being admited to hospital for 2 weeks and being put on a drip. Now my legs dont work {for the 3rd time}
the muscles have given up the gohst, dont know why. I am waiting for tests.
anyway enough of my whittering. Im from england and its good to know that you americans have the same problems as we do.
It is reasuring to know that Im not alone so if you read this,just picture me in the poring rain {it always rains here}walking as if I am in the process of giving birth. Or a duck with piles.{this is how I now walk}
                good comunicating with you all
just think, this message will travel across the world in a few
seconds, they can put man on the moon.BUT THEY CAN'T FIND THE CAUSE OF A HEADACHE, GOOD EH ?  
                                    MAGGIE  X

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Jim:

I am sorry about your headaches.  Without doing the history and physicial examination it is difficult for me to tell you much about your headaches.  Hypertension can be a source of headaches and sometimes by normalizing the blood pressure can help headaches.  The normal tests are reassuring that your not having something terrible about to happen.  I would suggest that you hang tight until seeing a neurologist and seeing what the exam shows and some basic lab work.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[kristin]

hi i have had headaches for about 2 years now. the doctors have

[Arlene S.]

My 16 year old daughter received a head injury playing basketball in 11/99. She was bumped in the face by another player and then fell backward onto the floor and hit the back of her head. She was momentarily dizzy, never lost consciousness, however the lights bothered her and occasionally her peripheral vision is off. She has had a constant headache ever since. She has had 1 CAT scan, 2 MRI's all negative.  She has been seen by 2 neurologists

[Arlene S.]

My 16 year old daughter received a head injury while playing basketball 11/99. She was bumped in the face and fell backward to the floor and hit her head. She was dizzy from the lights, never lost consciousness, her peripheral vision is off sometimes. She has had a headache day/night ever since.

She has seen 2 neurologists-prescriped Periactin; worked on by a chiropractor/naprapath; had 1 CAT scan and 2 MRI's-all negative. Nothing helps. She is very active, but goes on with a level 5 headache (on a 10 point scale). Sometimes the headache is worse but never goes below a 5. Headache made worse yesterday by a chemistry class explosion. What's a mother to do? Please advise.