Neck aches and migraines

I've been having a real problem with neck aches, that almost seems to be chronic. I wake up with them. They start some time during the night, and by the time I can feel them, they have developed into a pretty good migraine (both sides). I've tried numerous pillow and head elevating solutions, but nothing seems to be the right one.
I'm 57 and am a generally active guy. I am a technical writer, so I spend the high majority of my day at a computer. The job is also somewhat stressful, so I know this doesn't help.
I also had a glioblastoma multiforme removed in March of 2006, but I don't consider this to be related to my neck ache problem. I have migraine drug, but avoid using them unless all else fails. I usually try over the counter drugs first, in hopes this will alleviate the problem (and sometimes it does). A good portion of the time, just getting perpendicular gets rid of the pain eventually.
I feel like I am running out of options, but I am tired of waking up with headaches and neck problems.

[Joanna Fong, MD]

Hi AZKobushi,

You likely have Chronic daily headache.  Neck pain is a common trigger and source of headache.  You can see help from a neurologist (headache specialist).  Typically, the treatment involves:

-physical therapy (neck) and occupational therapy
-muscle relaxant to be taken at night (can cause drowsiness)
-maintenance therapy for the headache
-Abortive therapy (e.g. infusion therapy with steroid, nonsteroidal, depakote, DHE)

Many big medical centers have headache division within neurology department.  They should be able to help you.

I have to remind you that you should not overuse over the counter headache medication.  Overuse of those medications (e.g. Advil, tylenol, motrin, aleve, ibuprofen) can exacerbate the headache, what we called "rebound headache".  You should not medicate yourself more than 3 times a week.

Thanks for using MedHelp.

THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL MEDICAL EDUCATION PURPOSE ONLY.  PLEASE CONTACT YOUR PHYSICIAN FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT OPTIONS OF YOUR SPECIFIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

[pacecar]

I suffered from Migraines a neck pain for several years.  I was taking mega amounts of meds to only have rebound headaches.  My migraines began just as yours and my neck would get tighte and the muscles across my shoulders would get really tight and sometimes hot with the headaches.  I finally tried a Chiropractor as my last option and I'm happy to say that I have not had a migraine in over a year.  It took some time to get all the kinks worked out before I found relief and I go once every two weeks just to keep thinkgs in check but I rarely even have a general headache.   Hope this helps and best of luck -

[zacsgranny]

I too had chronic neck pain and would wake up 5 out of 7 days a week with a migraine that started about 2-4 in the morning.  I would suggest to you a sleep study.  My neck pain is gone and so are the migraines with the CPAP machine.  I was also having problems with my oxygen level.  It would drop way way low.  So low in fact that the dr. immediately put me on ox ygen at night until the CPAP machine came thru.  Try it.............it can't hurt.

Kathy