THESE HEADACHES ARE KILLING ME!!!!

I GET THESE HEADACHES THAT START ON THE TOP OF MY HEAD AND POUND! I GET LIKE 4 A WEEK AND I GET NAUSEATED WITH THEM TOO. THEY GET SO BAD I CRY. I NEVER VOMIT WITH THEM BUT WISH I COULD SO THE PAIN WOULD GO AWAY. AND FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS NOW I HAVE BEEN NAUSEATED EVERY OTHER DAY WITH NO VOMITING. AND THE HEADACHES HAVE BEEN FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS. I TOLD 3 DOCTORS AND THEY SAY IT IS STRESS, I HAVE A STRESS FREE LIFE! AND THE STOMACH THING I HAD AN EGD AND ALL THAT SHOWED UP WAS GERD. WHAT ELSE COULD IT BE?

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

Sorry to hear about your symptoms. It's possible you could be having something similar to chronic tension headaches or chronic daily migraines. More details and a personal examination are needed to make an accurate diagnosis. At this point, if you are not getting much help from your current physicians, consider starting over again. First, get a formal neurological exam to make sure nothing else is going on. They should review with you your prior medical history, medications you've taken, family history of headaches and then perform a detailed examination. Consider seeing a headache specialist. Some headache doctors at the Cleveland Clinic order special MRIs to look not only at the brain, but also the the arteries and veins up there. Other simple things to check are your electrolytes and a blood count. Then if everything is ok, they recommend the patient stop all current pain meds (tapering off some rather than abruptly discontinuing them) as this can sometimes make the headache worse. Once the patient is off their prior meds, a medication can be give to try and break the cycle of headaches such as IV depakote, magnesium, steroids, or DHE. FInally, new meds are give for prevention and then breakthru pain.
Good luck

[able]

I too have problems with severe headaches, the pain starts in my neck and goes up through my head, after years of these headaches and gerd, I was diagnosed with severe degenerative changes to my neck, amongst other things,  once I slowed my physical activities down to next to nothing, my gerd seized to bother me anymore, and was able to stop taking meds. for it.  I am still plagued with the headaches and am going to try to see if acupunture may help relieve some of these headaches in an attempt to avoid surgery at this time.  Good luck!!!!

[Mell]

I too have been getting very painful headaches for the past year now. And this is what I have done:
HISTORY: went to an eye doctor - needed glasses desperately ... but the headaches did not go away, then went to a chiropractor (I thought that would help my headaches) and went through 6 months of therapy, that didn't help. Then I went to a neurologist. He has put me on some medication and dx me as an "atypical migraine sufferer". He requested that I take a CAT Scan .. and that's scheduled for next month.
So now you have an idea of what I have been going through. My headaches are so painful, I get them about 5 times a week and they are constant. Is there anything that triggers these headaches, maybe some type of food or something. I really need to know more about all this.
I work-out 5 times a week and I consider myself in excellent health, why is this happening?
These headaches are killing me!!!
If anyone can tell me anything, that would be great. I hope my CAT comes back normal.
Thanks.
Mell

[smokeater]

I have been having really bad headaches for years and just this past week my neurologist has finally diagnosed me with a condition called Pseudotumor Cerebri.  ASlso known as Idiopathic IntraCranial Hyppertension.  It stands for "False Brain Timor".  It basically means unexplained pressdure on the brain.  I had pain innthe back of my head and behind my eyes and for the longest time they told me it was just migraines.  I had normal MRI scans and normal Cerebral Spinal Fluid but my fluid levels were elevated when they did the Lumbar puncture and when I went to the eye doctor he told me that my superior optiv nerves were swollen.  Although you can still have this condition from what I am told without your optiv nerves being swollen as well.  You might have your doctor's check you for this condition.  It is a rare conditon.  Only 1-2 people in every 100,00 people get it and it is most common in women and 8 times more likely to occur in obese women between the ages of 20-50.  Look it up on the web there is alot of info on it.

[JessF]

I too have been experiencing horrible headaches for the past year. They are at the top, back of my head, forehead ,temples just about everywhere.Nothing helps the pain!! Had an MRI last year that was negative but showed sinus problems. I treated sinus problems but still have had horrible headaches.  They have been so bad laately that I went to the ER, just scheduled a cat scan for tomorrow. I am nervous because now my head hurts when I move it anyone else experience this?  I also have tingling feelings in my hands and toes, especially after waking.  DR at ER tested for stroke, so that is not it.  I hope that I just have atypical migraines or something else-not a tumor. Appreciate any advice!

[smokeater]

re: jESSf---i ALSO HAVE THE TINGLING IN MY HANDS AND FEET.  mY HEADACHES ALSO STARTED IN THE BACK OF MY HEAD AND PROGRESSED TO THE REST  OF MY HEAD.  tHEY TOLD ME FOR A LONG TIME THAT IT WAS MIGRAINES.  mY mri'S AND ct SCANS WERE ALL NORMAL.  lOOK UP ON THE INTERNET THE PSEUDOTUMOR CEREBRI AND SEE IF THE SYMTOMS (symptoms) DONT MATCH YOURS AND IF THEY DO ASK YOUR DR TO DO A LUMBAR PUNCTURE TO TEST YOU FOR IT.  GOOD LUCK

[Suzy2002]

Three weeks ago, I treated a typical migraine headache with Imitrex 100 mg tablet.  Almost immediately, the migraine disappeared, but within 20 minutes I began to have sharp, shooting pains on both sides of my neck.  My neck stiffened to the point that I could not move it up or down or sideways.  I laid down thinking that would help, and when I next got up to use the rest room, a severe headachue surfaced.  It started at the base of my skull and covered the top of my head.  The pressure was very intense and would only be relieved after lying down again.  That evening, I called my internist, who said he had never heard of such a reaction from Imitrex.  I have treated chronic migraines since 1988 with various drugs, but usually with Imitrex 50 mg tablets or 0.5 mg subcutaneous injections, as well as the products Amerge and Zomig.  I have never had a reaction such as this.  This was, however, the first time I had used the 100 mg tablet.  The Imitrex package insert indicates that 3-4% of patients taking may experience a stiff neck as a side effect, and indeed when I saw my internist the next day, he had called Glaxco-Welcome (the manufacturer of Imitrex) and found out it was a possible side effect.

The pressure is most intense at the base of my skull.  There have been a few mornings that I am symptom free, but within an hour or two of rising, the symptoms start with a stiff neck and progress over a few hours until the pressure sensation is unbearable. I was sent for a CT-scan; negative.  I was referred for a neurologic consultation.  First, a spinal tap was done on Friday.  They mentioned the lumbar puncture might cause a spinal headache, but of course I already HAD one of those headaches since that past Sunday.  The pressure and vise-like squeezing symptoms continued on.  The spinal tap showed some blood, but was minimal as to possibly be only procedure-related.  I had a cervical MRI this week which showed some arthritis, but not to the point that would be causing these symptoms, according to my neurologist.  The symptoms continue with no lessening, with some days more bearable than others.  However I cannot rise up without the symptoms presenting again full-force.

The diagnosis this morning from my neurologist was "spontaneous low pressure headache" as a result of a "tear" in the tissue surrounding the spine causing a leak of CSF.  I am to wait it out (once again) by lying flat (how could I do anything else?) over the weekend.  On Monday, they plan to submit me for a second spinal tap, as the first one did not record the spinal fluid pressure, which is apparently information they are looking for.  I am also to have a myelogram.  I was told that it is "extremely difficult" to locate the tear, and that even a myelogram might not do it.  I was further advised that the tear must be located and then "patched."  

Lastly, the physicians feel that even though the onset of these symptoms was at the time of taking the Imitrex, that Imitrex is not the cause nor the issue; this spontaneous leakage was perhaps coincidental to taking the medication.  Imitrex leaves your system within two to three hours anyway, and these symptoms have persisted for three weeks now.  

Thank you for taking the time to read this.  If anyone has any helpful information regarding the diagnosis and treatment plan, please feel free to share it with me.  Thank you very much.

[G.Granny]

I've also suffered from severe headaches. I had every test there was to take,and everything came back O.K. Everytime I got one, which was maybe one every month for awhile and sometimes I wouldn't have one for over a year, but they were so severe I had to go to the emergency room for a shot,which was usually demerol.Then one night,on my way to the E.R.,my sister persuaded me to try simple Sine-Aid. Within fifteen minutes my headache was gone.Needless to say I'm never without it now. Good Luck to the rest of you.

[born2chirp]

I have been diagnosed with complicated migraine with hemiparesis, so I know what you all are going through.  Mine started when I was 8 years old (21 years ago).  I get the aura, nausea, and one-sided headache associated with what doctors assoociate with Classic Migraine, but mine are complicated by having half my body go into paralysis for a short period of time during an attack. This is not a new symptom-it is just something that has always happened and for a long time, I thought that's something that everyone who got migraines experienced. (But I never knew anyone else who got them for a long time, so I thought I was the only one who got them). Sometimes the heavy numbness associated with the attack is worse than the headache itself because it sucks knowing that you can't move half your body to get up long enough to pee or to barf.  It took a while to determine exactly what might be causing these attacks, and I still don't know everything that brings them on, however I do know some things to definitely avoid, because every time I had contact with certain things, I would always get an attack.  The triggers are different for everyone, but for mesuch foods include any cured meats, foods high in sulfites & nitrites (red wine, cured meats, sharp cheeses, etc) and also if I eat a lot of sugar without eating anything else will trigger an attack.  I have also heard that citrus fruits, caffeine (coffee, tea, soda, etc), and chocolate can all be triggers, though none of those things have ever really given me any problems.  Other things that can trigger an attack are irregular sleeping & eating habits, stress, and sudden changes in the weather (such as sudden drop in barometric pressure). In women, attacks may also be related to the menstrual cycle with the influx of hormonal activity. I stay away from things that I know will trigger an attack, such as eating hotdogs and drinking red wine (or using anything that contains red wine vinegar, such as in salad dressing).  I try to eat at about the same time every day and get to bed and get up at about the same time every day, although I will on occasion stay out later or sleep longer in the morning if a special occasion arises.  There isn't a lot one can do about changes in barometric pressure, though one can adjust their activities, like staying hydrated when it it gets really hot or keeping warm when it gets really cold.  (Dehydration is often a trigger as well).  Stress levels can be managed, but if other things are going on in addition to the stress (such as lack of sleep and a poor diet as well as sudden changes in barometric pressure and certain times of the month when hormonal levels are high), you may get an attack and never really know what the real cause may have been.  Keep a diary and see if you can find a pattern.  I have been keeping an extensive jornal since 1993 and a less extensive one that my mom has been keeping from the earlier years.  I can't find any patterns as of yet, but I am working on that.  I hope you find some relief, because I know from personal experience that being in pain really sucks and I wouldn't wish it on anyone, even my worst enemies (not that I have any, but you get the picture)

[JANJER]

MY HEADACHES, THAT I HAD FOR YEARS I JUST FOUND OUT, WERE CAUSED BY A TUMOR.  I WILL BE GOING TO MAYO CLINIC ON THE 10TH OF APRIL.  I GETTING MY SECOND OPINION THERE.  THE FIRST OPINION WAS THAT I WOULD NEED SURGERY TO REMOVE MOST OF THE TUMOR BUT THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REMOVE IT ALL.  ALOT OF OTHER SCARY STUFF NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH IS CANCER.  WE GOTTA DO WHAT WE GOTTA DO.  I JUST LOST 110 LBS AND NOW I GET TO BE BALD AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE.  JAN

[louisa]

I have been experiencing a cloudy sort of feeling on the top of my head which comes on early evening. Am very worried about this and am wondering if any one can help me. it feels like pressure on top of my head.

[alisultaneh]

Dear;
Please read about my new treatment for migraine headache,
http://alisultaneh.8m.net
This is the end of migraine headache, I know how it,s difficult to belive me , but you can easy see if what I said true or not, by trying the pressure points in time of headache and you will see how headache will disapear completely.
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/1826.50526
http://sehha.com/diseases/headache/migraine03.htm
http://my.webmd.com/condition_center/mig

Best regards
Ali

[linda7978]

Sorry to hear about the headaches.  Well, I can related.  I use to suffer from chronic daily migraines.  My neurologist I found really helped me.  I use to have a headache 30 days out of 30.  I was going up to the ER 3-4 times a week to get shots because nothing helped.  My neurologist put me on a low dose of Elevail (I take 60 mg every night) and my headaches are few and far between.  I only get the really bad ones where I am vomiting and all maybe once every 3 months.  This was a great improvement considering how bad I was when I went to her.  I couldn't sleep at night because of the headaches because they were so bad.  The one bad side effect of the Elavil is that it does make you gain some weight.  I have tried going off of the medicine twice now, and the headaches do come back.  What she told me is that once I have gained control of my headaches, she was going to slowly take me off the medicine.  Well our first attempt went well until the medication got out of my systems and then I was back into headaches every day so I went back on it.  The next time we tried to decrease very slow and I still got the headaches.  She told me that some people can go off the medicine after 6 months, some people can get off of the medicine after a longer period of time, and some just never really do get off the medicine.  My headaches use to get so bad that I decided that I would rather put up with the extra 20 pounds of weight than the headaches.  Good luck!!!  Don't give up.  Keep trying different doctors until you find one that can help.  I went through 3 doctors before I found one that could help me.

[honeybunch]

I am betting that they are migraines, I get them all the time.  Do you see flashes of lights,does your whole room spin, do you feel like the only place you will feel better is in a cold dark place with no noise.  Are you unbalanced and dizzy?  Do you feel like screaming at the world. Well that is a sign of a migraine.

[dino50]

It would be worth checking with your dentist that you are not suffering from "jaw clinching" (I think the medical name is JMD jaw mandibular disease). My 12 year old son suffered from severe headhaches every day for 6 months. It's our dentist, who just happened to give lectures on the subject, who suggested that he might be suffering from JMD. He made him a mouth piece to put on every night for sleepping and after a week his headhaches had disapeared completely. If he happened to forget to put it on the headhaches would come back. It's been 3 years now and he puts it on occasionaly when he feels under stress. We don't know why it started but at least we were successful in solving it.

[LeahPro]

I read your post and wondered if you had done any research on Basilar Artery Migraines? That might be helpful to you. I don't know the link, but do a search on BAM migraines and Karen Huntingtons web page. It is very informative.
I have possible BAM headaches and cannot take Imitrex because of the risks of triggering my headaches.

[brasscupcake]

Anyone know where you can buy Sine Aid?  I have tried every drugstore I have available - CVS, Eckert, Rite Aid and all supermarkets.  I need this stuff to survive and it has suddenly just disappearedf rom the shelves - HELP!!!