The Never-ending Headache

[jsmom303]

My daughter was dropped about 11 feet in an accident  hitting the back of her head - September 2006.  Since that time she has continued to suffer from the same, never-ending head pain (hasn't stopped for even one second!) .  Located directly in the back of her head where she hit.  Other symptoms, blurred vision, dizziness, occasional neusea, joint pain  MANY days of missed school despite her 'real trooper, push through attitude.  We've done MRIs, Blood Tests, X-Rays, Lumbar Punctures - all negative.  She's been diagnosed - and later disputed by experts with Lyme disease, Fibromyalgia, Whiplash,. - Now another doctor is saying lyme disease AGAIN.   Currently under treatment at a major university medical center for persistent daily headache.  They're awesome, but a year later nothing even touches the pain.  Nortriptylene, Neurontin are current meds.  No relief.  Getting very frustrated after over a year and no answers.  What else do we try?  Also tried acupuncture, hypnosis, sacro cranial therapy, I've heard about injections that can bring immediate relief?  She's sick of being sick, and its breaking my heart watching her life pass her by.  Any other ideas?  Do we start the testing over?  I would truly appreciate your suggestions.  I really do not know what to do next to help her. Thank you very much.  

[jsmom303]

Thank you very much for your comments and suggestions.  My daughter is being switched to Lyrica next week.  She's pretty excited based on your experience.  We're hoping the side effects are less difficult than those we've had with neurontin.  I'll let you know if this works.  Thanks for the suggestion!

[pyxlie]

You received a lot of very wonderful responses, but I want to help too! I have lyme disease, it's not lyme. I also have pain at the back of my head caused by degenerative disk disease. I agree, it's probably nerve pain. I've tried Cymbalta, it doesn't work. Lyrica DOES!!!! Some side effects to work through but the results at the back of my head are amazing. Good luck!!

[jsmom303]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!  Your kind words of encouragement and suggestions mean so much to me!  This has been a long, tough road - with immediate no end in sight. I really didn't think anyone would respond.   Your kindness rekindles my spirit - and gives me the energy I need to keep pushing on!  This type of thing is very trying.  At first there are many friends and family offering help.  The longer it drags on, the more they see it as a lost cause and start to drop out.  It will never be a lost cause.  Its my daughter!  I will use your very excellent suggestions.  Thank you again and God Bless!      jsmom

[jcverive]

Your daughter has probably suffered nerve damage that is too small to be seen by MRI or CT imaging, but is nonetheless enough to cause unbelievable pain. Neuralgia (pain that originates in/from a nerve) can be very difficult to treat; most pain killers are ineffective (even strong narcotics), so doctors use antidepressants and/or anti-seizure meds to block pain neurotransmitters and to desensitize nerves.  Nortriptyline and Neurontin are common meds, but they are not always very effective (not to mention the numerous side effects of Nortriptyline).

Please ask your daughter's doctor to try some of these newer meds: Cymbalta (a selective reuptake inhibitor for serotonin and for norepinepherine), Lyrica (a voltage gated calcium channel blocker that desensitizes nerves, resulting in reduced neurotransmitter release), and Keppra (a presynaptic agent that keeps nerve endings from releasing neurotransmitters). In combination, these three drugs are often very effective.

Nerve blocks may also be effective, though your daughter may only get hours or days of relief.

I understand your frustration and feelings of hopelessness, but keep being your daughter's advocate.  If all else fails, she may benefit from electrical stimulation at the peripheral nerve, dorsal column, motor cortex, or thalamus level.  I feel optimistic that one or more of these options will be of some help, and I pray that you and your daughter will get relief soon.

[mmdp700]

i feel your pain. i went through sort of the same thing as your daughter. i had terrible it seemed like never ending headaches. i had tons of mri s cat scans x rays all that stuff. negative. so one day somthing told me to just do another cat scan and the docters found a tumor in the back right side of my head they said it was never there before. but when they took care of it my headaches and pain went staright away. the only thing i can say to you is keep getting answers, if one docter cant find anything wrong with her go get a second opionion then a third and a fourth until someone finds an answer. because someone will. i hope you and your daughter find peace. god bless