migraines with no real migraine symptoms?

[headacre]

I have been having a headache or possibly eyeache very frequently for 5+ years. The pain is always right behind my right eye. Sometimes it almost feels like the eye socket itself is radiating the pain. However, it is not eyeball pain. It varies from a dull ache to a sharper, stabbing pain. The pain can last as little as a minute or two to as long as 4+ hours.

When this first started 5+ years ago, I went to my Dr who referred me to a neurologist. The neuro had an MRI and MRA taken of my head. Both of the scans turned out negative.

So, the neuro diagnosed it as a migraine or some related type of vascular headache. I found this surprising because I have had no other symptoms (no auras, nausea, light sensitivity, etc) that you typically hear about in association with migraine. At the time, the Dr tried me on several months of Nortryptoline (sp?). It seemed like it helped a bit for a while, but not for long. So, I eventually gave up on it.

For the intervening time up until about 6 months ago, I just lived with the frequent pain and took lots of Ibuprofen.  However, it worsened in intensity and frequency about 6 months ago, so I returned to the neuro.  He still diagnosed it as migraines and this time prescribed Effexor as a preventitive.  It also seemed to help briefly, but then the benefit seemed to go away.  So, 2 weeks ago the Dr started a mix of Effexor and Wellbutrin.

I have never taken any kind of med for extended periods.  So, I am concerned about taking 2 antidepressants for any long term.  Should I seek a 2nd opinion?  Does this even sound like migraine?

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

Migraine can be very variable in its presentation
There are two main 'forms' - classic migraine with headache and usually two of photophobia, phonophobia, or osmophobia (sensitivity to light, sound or smell), nausea, and exacerbation by exercise.
and the other form is complicated migraine, with visual auras or other neurological abnormal findings during the headache
A migraine may not fit easily into these categories though

there is a form of migraine termed 'ophthalmoplegic migraine' referring to the eye, in which there is also some limitation of eye movement - I don't know if your eyes have been examined during a headache.

Another headache type that might fit yours is 'hemicrania continua' which is a severe headache on one side of the head, and is very responsive to indomethacin - you should try this under the supervision of your doctor if you have not already

Whereas it may still be migraine, if you have not had an MRI in over 5 years and the pain is worse, it may be worth getting another MRI. I cannot give you a clinical diagnosis, but a second opinion from a headache specialist might be helpful. The Cleveland Clinic Headache Center could do this if you are in the area at any time
Good luck

[ratanlal]

My wife has the same problem and, in addition ot a Neurologist, we have been to an ENT, Cardiologist, OBGYN, Internist. The problem of headaches persists. In addition she has burning and sensation in her body which travels all over but in no particular fashion.

No one has been able to pinpoint the problem or find a solution. We have also tried Accupuncture an Yoga.

[headacre]

I should have also mentioned that I am a 40 year old male in otherwise good health.  I run 4-5 days/week.  I take no other meds and have no symptoms other than the chronic head/eye pain.

[DonnaM.H.]

Having lived for 28 years with cluster headaches and belonging to an international group of sufferers who have compared notes, done surveys and much more, I would strongly suggest that you talk to your neuro about the possibility of cluster headaches.

You can also take the cluster quiz by going to www.clusterheadaches.org.  This is the official not-for-profit organization. The more casual site that spured the org. is at www.clusterheadaches.com and is some 5,000 strong in members.  There is also invaluable information there for cluster sufferers and their supporters to discuss with their docs.

Do your headaches wake you during sound sleep at night?.  That's an almost sure sign..has something to do with our biological clocks and hormones.  Dr. Goadsby in England has and is doing extensive research on this horrible malady and finds that the hypothalamus of the ch sufferer is larger than a non-sufferer.
There are definate preventatives and abortives for these headaches, so it is important that they be properly diagnosed as they are not the same as migraine at all.  Much of the printed information at medical sites and in books is incorrect.

Good Luck.

[lordofmigraine]

Dears migraine patients;
Its time to know the truth, read about triptans danger page and you will say to your doctor stop lies on me.
Also you can be free of migraine headaches by Dr. Sultaneh migraine devices that you can read how you can do it at home as write in self treating page, and you can see its in photo page.
All in this web sites;
www.migrainesurgery.8m.net
www.migrainesurgery.4t.com
Best Wishes
Ali

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

while the headache as described is similar in type to a cluster headache, it does not follow the pattern of cluster - a 'cluster' of very severe headaches over several days followed by a quiescent period without headache. Chronic cluster is an entity but extremely uncommon.

[CJinFL]

FLASHING LIGHTS WITH NO HEADACHE PAIN. I've been suffering for approx 18 mos. now.  It started after a bad illness, with migraine (which I had never experienced before) Had an MRI back then, nothing found, and had a through eye exam and they noticed the vitreous was pulling away a bit, but nothing serious and not retinal.  My flashing lights happen daily, without any warning.  Both in the middle of the night and also daytime.  Sometimes they look like bright bubbles of light that move from the bottom of my peripheral vision into the top areas.  They aren't floaters, cause I've had them since I was young and I know what they look like.  It can be either one eye, or both at the same time.  Recently, they are becoming more frequent, and now it looks sometimes like someone is shining a flashlight beam directly into my eye.  It only last a second or two, then my vision is back to normal.  It's very frightening though.  The neuro last year said that he thought it was "Silent Migraines"...(never heard of that before).  Once in a while I have actually had headaches with it.  But mostly not.  It's really scary to wake up in the middle of the night with a spotlight shining in one eye, only to realize it was your vision and it's 3am! Recently in the last month I have occasional dizzy spells and thought it was my ears. Doctor gave me antibiotics twice, but still have the dizziness a bit. Sometimes I wonder if I have a brain tumor, but the neuro assured me that it was nothing back then.  I think maybe I should go back and check again, but after reading so many comments on the forum, it seems like the testing can be a long arduous road.  How soon is too soon to have another MRI?  Already, my insurance has disqualified anything related to headaches anyway.  I do have the symptoms of the vitreous detachment (looks like bright light in the shape of parentheses when I quickly look to the left or right).  These flashing lights, bubbles, and flashlights are very upsetting.  Once in a while I also see different shapes, looks like cutouts of stamps, or triangles with jagged edges, sometimes in colors like red or blue.  I do notice I'm worse after a session on the computer or TV though.  It would be great to get to the bottom of this and just cure it.  I had suffered with Lyme Disease back in 1998 and barely survived it.  I was also wondering if this could be a long term side effect of Lyme and Babesiosis?  Sure wish I could get some real answers.  I don't take migraine medicine or anything.  Just suffering and praying through it.
CJ