continuious daily headache syndrome

[jdt00009]

I have had the same dull pressure headache, absolutely nonstop for 15 months now.   It's mainly deep behind my forehead, but really all over deep in my head.  

Also, I have a very *intense* and uncomfortable sensation that the muscles across my forehead are very thick and weak when I raise my eyebrows for example.

Pay attention here if nowhere else---the muscle "thickness" feeling I describe above sometimes "drops" into my ocular region and my eyes start bouncing around out of control every time I try to move my eyes.  Usually not too severe, but occasionally is extremely frightening/disabling dizziness.

Now, I have seen a headache specialist plus another neurologist, an oto-neurologist, and a handfull of GP's...all at a large university.

All scans normal except a medium sized benign supra-orbital bone tumor.  When I lay down on the right side of my head, my entire headache goes from a spread-out moderate pressure (5 out of 10) and all the pain transfers to the exact location of the "bone tumor" and the intensity becomes a 9 out of 10 (as a result I don't sleep on my right side at all).   Also when the pressure transfers, the "muscle thickness" dissipates as well.

I have also had some neck pain when bending my head over to the left.  Cervical MRI revealed mild upper-mid spondylosis.

Doc, what would you be inclined to think about my case?  I know it's frustrating and alot of info,  but I'm 28 and basically disabled-

Does the headache/transferring of pressure seem consistant with the tumor I described?

What do you think about my neck causing all this?

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

I cannot give you a clinical diagnosis over the internet unfortunately, as this site is purely educational

Neck problems (such as arthritis, small neck joint or muscle problems) can cause chronic headache, dizziness, and dysequilibrium. The neck muscles and snesory receptors are intimately connected with the balance and eye control centers in the brain, and any abnormal sensory input from the neck can cause symptoms in these areas.

The best way to approach th eproblem, is a multidisciplnary approach with specliazed neck physical therapy, joint injections if needed, and headache/pain psychology, as well as the appropruate medications.

While a bony tumor can cause pain (there are pain receptors in the lining of bone called the periosteum, removing this area would be quite drastic, conservative/medical pain management is indicated.

This seems to be quite a common problem is some other recent posts, have a look

[just_duckie]

Have they done a spinal tap on you?  I hope you find answers soon.  Take care.

[jdt00009]

no spinal tap.   i actually asked the neurologist for one, and he basically refused to order it.   I did have a normal eye exam with an neuro opthamologist however

[just_duckie]

I would push for a tap.  If you aren't getting answers from your doctor, maybe you need to get a second opinion.

[Mr.Kent]

Hello,
    Has anyone used the term Occipital Neuralgia yet.  I have had a headache since feb of this year.  It was caused by a therapy session that included traction on my neck. My Doctor did not find this.....I did by researching all I could on headaches.
Look it up you'll find it very interesting. Good Luck.

[jcverive]

I'm a long-time sufferer of occipital neuralgia, and have taken the time to study the condition after most of my doctors seemed more willing to offer nothing but stale, flip, and condescending answers "what do you mean, occipital neuralgia; you have headaches!"

Occipital neuralgia is caused by (and defined as) pain generated by the occipital nerve.  I highly doubt that occipital neuralgia is the problem here, since everything seems to point to the bony tumor.  There's nothing to suggest involvement of the occipital nerve or the cervical vertebrae (esp. C1-C3), where trauma to this aa often affects the occipital nerve, whose roots are generally found in the dorsal ganglia of C2, though sometimes with branches from C1 or C3.

[Julia'sMom]

Hi- first time posting on here, so please excuse me if I don't do it well... but I wanted to let you know that there's a clinical trial starting in many states on an implanted device to block the transfer of pain stimuli through the occipital nerve.  My daughter is being screened for the trial, and we think it looks pretty promising.  You can find info at clinicaltrials.gov, or the manufacturer has some info at their site, AdvancedBionics.com (honestly! bionic!) Their site refers to the device currently in use for only trunk and extremity pain, and they are now testing a similar device for use on migraines involved with the occipital nerve.  Good luck!