Aa
Undiagnosed Headache for 25 years
Hi
My name is Shahab Ferdosian. I’m a 49 year old male born on 27/10/1962. I migrated to Australia (Brisbane) on 15/06/1986 and got married to a beautiful girl of my type. I perused a career as an offset printer and one year later, God blessed us with our first son. I was happy and proud in life. I consider myself as an easy going, calm, understanding, and hardworking, individual.
My symptoms started about 22 years ago with burning eyes and a mild headache once every 2 to 3 weeks. It occurred approximately in the evening and continued all night until I went to sleep. Panadol at that time was helping. After a year or so or constant reoccurrence, I seek for medical help with an eye specialist in which everything was fine. Later that year I then visited the skin specialist for my eyelid. The specialist diagnosed that I had inflammation under my eyelid. He prescribed a few different types of eye drops which helped only for few minutes. The symptoms still persisted.
After 5 or 6 years, my symptoms became more apparent and frequent. It occurred once a week and was a lot more severe. I seek medical help once again and blood tests reported that no abnormalities were present. I then approach a food allergic specialist. Once again no abnormalities were present except my liver wasn’t functioning at 100%. I worked on a good diet and my liver became much better however my initial symptoms were still there.
After 10 years the symptoms became a lot worse and more frequent. By now, I was experiencing these symptoms 2 or 3 times a week and the headaches were unsustainable. I once again seek for help by a dietian where she suggested to clean my system with a unique diet therapy for 15 days where only water and fruit was in my diet. This diet did not help. I did lose 10 kilos which was great (80kg to 70kg).
I then tried remedial massage therapy following the diet a few times. It was relaxing and gave me relief for a few days. I then started acupuncture therapy which was also good but only gave temporary relief. Physio, Chiropractor and Osteopath therapy were treatments I seeked as well however, like acupuncture, only temporary relief was the result.
After 15 years the symptoms became even more frequent and severe. By now it occurred 3 to 4 times a week and it was affecting my work and my life. I seek medical help again with different doctors where I started the following medication:
*ENDEP 25, started with one tablet daily and ended up having TWICE daily to THREE times DAILY for 2 years. It made me confused and sleepy and it did not help with my symptoms.
*Zoloft 10mg, I was on ONE tablet daily for 3 months. It did not help.
After 18 years the symptom was extremely severe and even more frequent now. It occurred almost 4 to 5 times a week. On top of medical help, I was recommended to seek help with an orthodontist specialist for OCM treatment. They made the most expensive SPLINT for my jaws for a proper bite; I used it for a few months however it did not help.
Now as I write this description of my symptoms, I am experiencing Burning Eyes, Severe Headache in the front of my head (from the right temple to the left temple) and Muscle ache all over my neck and shoulders. These symptoms are now occurring every single day, and have affected my daily life. I am not able to work or enjoy life.
I had a head, neck and spine MRI, where everything was normal. I am healthy person and have no other problems. Back a few months, the neck pain became so severe that I had to seek help with a musculoskeletal specialist. They injected a small dose of Cortisone on some of the neck muscles which was in pain. It got rid of the neck pain for almost 3 months, but the symptoms are still present.
I visited a Neurologist for a consult on my symptoms and all she did was rule out migraines from my conditions.
I don’t get any symptom relief from any drug now. My son is a pharmacist and has made me try for symptom relief:
• Ibuprofen 200mg tds prn
• Paracetamol + codeine (500/30mg) qid prn
• Oxycodone (5mg) prn
• Diazepam (5mg) prn
• Aspirin (600mg) prn (with food he says)
• Sumatriptan (50mg) prn
• Tramadol (50mg) prn which made me very sick (allergy?)
• Also have recently commenced Baclofen (5mg) tds
I take a few complementary medicines to assist with my general health which I am unsure is providing help with my symptoms. Fish oil 1000mg capsules (2 tds), Ginko Biloba, Olive Leaf extract.
When I experience the symptoms, a wet and cool pack on my face and forehead will give relief where I sleep till the next day or deal with it until I go to bed. The other thing that gives relief is a very hot shower where the stream hits onto my neck. One thing is fortunate is that I have a good night’s sleep where I prepare myself for the next day of pain and suffering.
I feel that my severe headaches and burning eyes are secondary to my neck pain, as when I go for a remedial massage, I get temporary relief from neck pain where my headaches and burning eyes are also not present.
Please help me to diagnose my sickness to have my beautiful life back. My son is getting married in 3 weeks and would love to be in good health for his wedding.
Yours Sincerely
Shahab
My name is Shahab Ferdosian. I’m a 49 year old male born on 27/10/1962. I migrated to Australia (Brisbane) on 15/06/1986 and got married to a beautiful girl of my type. I perused a career as an offset printer and one year later, God blessed us with our first son. I was happy and proud in life. I consider myself as an easy going, calm, understanding, and hardworking, individual.
My symptoms started about 22 years ago with burning eyes and a mild headache once every 2 to 3 weeks. It occurred approximately in the evening and continued all night until I went to sleep. Panadol at that time was helping. After a year or so or constant reoccurrence, I seek for medical help with an eye specialist in which everything was fine. Later that year I then visited the skin specialist for my eyelid. The specialist diagnosed that I had inflammation under my eyelid. He prescribed a few different types of eye drops which helped only for few minutes. The symptoms still persisted.
After 5 or 6 years, my symptoms became more apparent and frequent. It occurred once a week and was a lot more severe. I seek medical help once again and blood tests reported that no abnormalities were present. I then approach a food allergic specialist. Once again no abnormalities were present except my liver wasn’t functioning at 100%. I worked on a good diet and my liver became much better however my initial symptoms were still there.
After 10 years the symptoms became a lot worse and more frequent. By now, I was experiencing these symptoms 2 or 3 times a week and the headaches were unsustainable. I once again seek for help by a dietian where she suggested to clean my system with a unique diet therapy for 15 days where only water and fruit was in my diet. This diet did not help. I did lose 10 kilos which was great (80kg to 70kg).
I then tried remedial massage therapy following the diet a few times. It was relaxing and gave me relief for a few days. I then started acupuncture therapy which was also good but only gave temporary relief. Physio, Chiropractor and Osteopath therapy were treatments I seeked as well however, like acupuncture, only temporary relief was the result.
After 15 years the symptoms became even more frequent and severe. By now it occurred 3 to 4 times a week and it was affecting my work and my life. I seek medical help again with different doctors where I started the following medication:
*ENDEP 25, started with one tablet daily and ended up having TWICE daily to THREE times DAILY for 2 years. It made me confused and sleepy and it did not help with my symptoms.
*Zoloft 10mg, I was on ONE tablet daily for 3 months. It did not help.
After 18 years the symptom was extremely severe and even more frequent now. It occurred almost 4 to 5 times a week. On top of medical help, I was recommended to seek help with an orthodontist specialist for OCM treatment. They made the most expensive SPLINT for my jaws for a proper bite; I used it for a few months however it did not help.
Now as I write this description of my symptoms, I am experiencing Burning Eyes, Severe Headache in the front of my head (from the right temple to the left temple) and Muscle ache all over my neck and shoulders. These symptoms are now occurring every single day, and have affected my daily life. I am not able to work or enjoy life.
I had a head, neck and spine MRI, where everything was normal. I am healthy person and have no other problems. Back a few months, the neck pain became so severe that I had to seek help with a musculoskeletal specialist. They injected a small dose of Cortisone on some of the neck muscles which was in pain. It got rid of the neck pain for almost 3 months, but the symptoms are still present.
I visited a Neurologist for a consult on my symptoms and all she did was rule out migraines from my conditions.
I don’t get any symptom relief from any drug now. My son is a pharmacist and has made me try for symptom relief:
• Ibuprofen 200mg tds prn
• Paracetamol + codeine (500/30mg) qid prn
• Oxycodone (5mg) prn
• Diazepam (5mg) prn
• Aspirin (600mg) prn (with food he says)
• Sumatriptan (50mg) prn
• Tramadol (50mg) prn which made me very sick (allergy?)
• Also have recently commenced Baclofen (5mg) tds
I take a few complementary medicines to assist with my general health which I am unsure is providing help with my symptoms. Fish oil 1000mg capsules (2 tds), Ginko Biloba, Olive Leaf extract.
When I experience the symptoms, a wet and cool pack on my face and forehead will give relief where I sleep till the next day or deal with it until I go to bed. The other thing that gives relief is a very hot shower where the stream hits onto my neck. One thing is fortunate is that I have a good night’s sleep where I prepare myself for the next day of pain and suffering.
I feel that my severe headaches and burning eyes are secondary to my neck pain, as when I go for a remedial massage, I get temporary relief from neck pain where my headaches and burning eyes are also not present.
Please help me to diagnose my sickness to have my beautiful life back. My son is getting married in 3 weeks and would love to be in good health for his wedding.
Yours Sincerely
Shahab
Yes I have never heard of getting meningitis for years. It is usually an acute onset type of infection. The symptoms are like meningitis but you usually have high fever with it. You don't have to have auras or visuals to have a migraine.When I first got mine I only had vomiting and abdominal pain at night. The neurologist said that is migraine symptoms as well because it was only at night. I have been on Klonopin for 20 years for this and then later I developed the migraine headaches with no aura and then the auras with migraine then sometime only auras. Only recently came the double vision and so forth. Imitrex didn't work on me either at first and many have to try several drugs to see what works. Anyway, I would still get the EEG. The thing that stands out is the burning eyes/inflammation and the fact that it is a night is a sign of neurological symptoms.. I will try to look up that symptom with the headache and see if there is anything that comes up.
take care,
mkh9
take care,
mkh9
Dear mkh9,
Thank you as well for your help.
an EEG is something that my dad has not had and is something that is on his list I type. The neurologist visit my dad attended to ruled out migraines out of the picture as he does not suffer from the aura phase or double vision.
He has also taken migraine medication however they have no affect on him.
He doesn't have a fever as mentioned above, having meningitis for many years is something I am not familiar with. However it is something he will talk to his doctor about.
He has organized to see another neurologist but a different doctor so we get a second opinion.
Thank you for your response, very thoughtful =)
Shahab and Faiz (son)
Thank you as well for your help.
an EEG is something that my dad has not had and is something that is on his list I type. The neurologist visit my dad attended to ruled out migraines out of the picture as he does not suffer from the aura phase or double vision.
He has also taken migraine medication however they have no affect on him.
He doesn't have a fever as mentioned above, having meningitis for many years is something I am not familiar with. However it is something he will talk to his doctor about.
He has organized to see another neurologist but a different doctor so we get a second opinion.
Thank you for your response, very thoughtful =)
Shahab and Faiz (son)
Hi there,
Humbleboy202, Im his son replying on behalf of my father. I am amazed to see how people empathize with my father and want to help.
Meningitis is a diagnosis that does infact carry those symptoms however for that long? symptoms lasting almost 18 years as troublesome?
I have got that on his list to talk to his GP about thou, thank you for your response. He couldnt be more thankful!!!
Kind regards,
Shahab and Faiz (son)
Humbleboy202, Im his son replying on behalf of my father. I am amazed to see how people empathize with my father and want to help.
Meningitis is a diagnosis that does infact carry those symptoms however for that long? symptoms lasting almost 18 years as troublesome?
I have got that on his list to talk to his GP about thou, thank you for your response. He couldnt be more thankful!!!
Kind regards,
Shahab and Faiz (son)
I am very sorry about your pain and suffering. It sounds neurological to me such a migraine. They can be every day and the pain is intolerable. Have you had an electroencepalogram (EEG) or MRI? I think the EEG would show a migraine or migraine variant. I have a migraine variant and it took years to diagnose as well. You are on the right track in trying the sumatriptan (Imitrex). Sometimes Imitrex doesn't work for everyone. There is Maxalt and also various drugs that can lessen the number of migrianes. I take cyproheptadine ( and Imitrex plus two Ibupropin then daily. So, I suggest seeing a neurologist first that specializes in migrianes first. As for it being meningitis do you have a fever? There are some other migraine meds that you can take daily that supress migraines but you have to watch out for the side effects. Also, high dose magnesium with Riboflavin (IV) but only under a doctors care (not a phamacist) as they will have to monitor your symptoms. My neighbor gets daily migraines and I think this helps her. It is different for everyone. I get lots of auras and sometimes double vision with my migraines. I used to get vomiting all night and and stomach pain with no migraines and had to go to the ER. Then they changed. Anyway, I hope you get pain relief soon!
mkh9
mkh9
Hullo there,
I truely here your voice and feel the suffering that has robbed you of happiness for that long.Am not a doctor but i would suggest you make a diagnosis for meningitis.Streptococcal meningitis usually carry those symptoms you have described. I wish all the best in your endevors
I truely here your voice and feel the suffering that has robbed you of happiness for that long.Am not a doctor but i would suggest you make a diagnosis for meningitis.Streptococcal meningitis usually carry those symptoms you have described. I wish all the best in your endevors
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