Hello, I'm Jennifer. I'm 19 years old and for the last 5 weeks, I've been experiencing an excruciating headache that is non-stop, and have had no relief.
Basic history: I've suffered from migraine headaches for over 6 years. At first I would have a migraine once every few months that would go away after sleeping in a quiet, dark room, and minimizing exertion. About 3 years ago, I was diagnosed with mycoplasma pneumonia and viral meningitis. I was in the hospital for 8 days with an absolutely excruciating headache which the physicians on my case attributed to an LP complication. When I had the LP done, the resident had a difficult time getting the spinal fluid. The first puncture was contaminated with blood, and they had to re-do the puncture. Apparently, the holes didn't seal up and was causing an LP Headache. After being released from the hospital (Nov. 2005) my migraines continued to get worse. They increased in pain, duration, and in frequency. I basically gritted my teeth and bore it despite how limiting it was to go to school and work a job. Late November/December of 2008, I was to the point of having a migraine 2 times a week, every week, and was recommended to see a gynecologist at the possibility that these are hormone-related. For four months after my gynecologist appointment, I was (and still am) on Seasonique and experienced NO migraines. I would get an occasional stress-headache, but unlike my migraines, 2 tylenol would help it tremendously.
Note: I have an allergy to Aspirin/Ibuprofen products, and when taking these products I experience swelling of the throat and lips and severe itching accompanied with swelling.
Now, on to why I'm making this post!
5 weeks ago, on Sunday March 15, I was feeling pretty horrible and had a headache, but it didn't feel much like a migraine. I laid down to take a nap at about 4PM, and when I wake up, it's well after 10PM and I'm in bed with my boyfriend extremely worried. I had apparently gotten up and passed out, completely cold, in the hallway. I had no recollection of even waking up. My headache was so intense I could hardly stand it, and I had notice that 90% of my vision was obscured by black static that wouldn't go away no matter what I did. I was very nauseous and had a tense and stiff neck/back. I simply tried to go to sleep because I felt exhausted. I slept until 1pm the next day, and still felt horrible, with no help from tylenol. That day, we went to the emergency room. They did a CT scan to check for brain bleeds and bruising and said the CT was clean. They gave me Demerol, Phenergen, and a prescription for 2mg tablet steroids, phenergen, and vicodin. While I was on Demerol, I experienced a blood pressure drop from 127/78 to 102/60. The physician who treated me released me with the diagnosis of a concussion, and that I had fallen due to getting up too fast, causing extreme vertigo from a blood pressure drop, and fainted. I didn't agree with the diagnosis, but I had no other choice.
The next day, I was taking the maximum recommended dosage of the vicodin (at first I was taking as little as possible because phenergen usually only takes the edge off medication-related nausea) and was getting NO relief whatsoever. At about 1am on March 17, I was vomiting profusely and unable to hold down any fluids. By the time I got to the ER, I was dry-heaving, and was having a hard time keeping balance. The pain was so intense I could hardly focus and was constantly crying. The physician ordered some blood tests, a lumbar puncture, a urine pregnancy test, and put me on an IV to prevent dehydration from vomiting. All tests were normal/negative. She felt that the problem was neurological and ordered me to get an appointment the next day to see a neurologist. ----- The pain I was experiencing was bilateral and in two locations. I was experiencing my usual bilateral pain location from migraines, but instead of a throbbing, it was just an intense ache and pressure. On top of that, I was experiencing intense pain in the very back of my head.
I saw the neurologist the next day, and they were only interested in treating my symptoms rather than finding a root cause. I was sent home with a prescription for Ultram and Carisoprodol. Neither helped over the next few days. Carisiprodol aided in falling asleep, but I still wasn't experiencing refreshing sleep. The neurologist referred me to a physcial therpaist to work on/relieve the tense neck, which could have been causing some of my headaches, or at least make them worse. The neurologist told me to return in two months.
The physical therapy would help with the back-portion of my headache through electric muscle stimulation, massage, icing, and general stretching. However, it wouldn't touch the more intense bilateral part of my headache. I still go to physical therapy 3 times a week to this day.
On April 7, right before easter, I was re-referred back to my neurologist by my therapist due to lack of significant improvement. At this point, I was no longer taking any pain medication except Carisiprodol to aid with muscle stiffness and nerve pain. I was put on Frova and Gabapentin (Neurotnin). Since taking these medications I've felt nothing but worse; I experienced an increase in pain, and a new symptom of sensitivity to light and increased sensitivity to sound. And on the 13th or 14th, the neurology office called in a prescription for Methylprednisolone, as a last "resort" to break the pain cycle. Additionally, I've felt worse since taking the medicaton. My joints and muscles have been aching including my eyes, my headache now has an additional throbbing sensation that is very intense, and have felt worse in general. For the duration of this time, my vision has slowly gotten better and is almost back to normal.
To this day, I still have the headache. It's been over 5 weeks, and undoubtedly the WORST headache I have ever had, not to mention the most intense pain I've had. I do have another neurologist appointment tomorrow, but my therapist predicts the doctor will only change medication rather than find reasons why my headaches are continually getting worse.
Help! 5 weeks of intense pain has been driving me crazy and pushing me to my limits mentally/emotionally on myself and my significant other. I've had to withdraw from my university because I cannot trust my poor sense of balance, decreased mental awareness and cognitive function while being in a kitchen with sharp utensils and hot pans/appliances/ovens.
I tried to be as thorough as possible, and it's taken me 2 hours to type all this. x.X I hope I didn't miss anything.