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I have been having really bad headaches (8/10 on he pain scale) everyday for 10 days already, the worst and longest headache i have ever had. I have gone to the doctors and they put me on a pain medication (a triptan) which helped for a little while but my headaches still came back, i again went back to0 the doctor the next day and he decided to put me on sleeping pills, thinking it was my sleep patterns that were affecting my headaches. I had taken a sleeping pill and the next morning i still had a heacahe so my sleeping patterns were eliminated. Sinus infections were also ruled out. My doctor decided to order me a CT scon and i am still waiting on gettting in for it. Does anyone have any clue what it may be?

Thank you,
Kayla
13 Responses
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1030950 tn?1261010513
i have also been having unexplained hair loss
Helpful - 0
1030950 tn?1261010513
im taking the rapimelt pills. i have been on that and my headaches are still there ad have increase a lot in the past week. i also have been feeling very weak, emotional, and lightheaded. everytime i stand up and sometimes when i dont, everything goes dark and i have to catch myself on something so i dont fall. im still not sure about them just being migranes and want my neuro to book me for a mri with contrast.
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768044 tn?1294223436
Zomig (the Zolmitriptan) is a great triptan. Do you take the nasal spray version? I do, I think that is the best version of zomig. It works the fastest. If you are taking the pill version and you are finding some relief but not complete relief, I would suggest talking to your doctor about switching you to the Nasal Spray version of Zomig... since it works much better.
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1030950 tn?1261010513
I went to the neurologist and she said it was migraine headaches i was suffering from and put me on propranol as well as a Zomitriptan. The maxalt i was taking was the quick dissolve tablets and did not help. i have been on these mew medications for a month and they have been helping, however this week i went to Victoria and was having really bad headaches the whole time i was there, i came home and am still having these headaches. The advil and the triptan are not worknig and i am taking my propranol everyday as well.
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180749 tn?1443595232
Do the anulom vilom I described on October 06 in my posting.This gets extra oxygen into the body and brain and regulates the body systems, which in turn will reduce the headache over time. All I can say is you will feel the benefits.You can try it now, instead of suffering so much.
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768044 tn?1294223436
Hey there,

Maxalt shouldn't cause rebound headaches, BUT it is true that you can only take 2 doses every 24 hours. So, never take more than two doses in 24 hours and never take more then 2 doses for the SAME migraine.

OTC medications such as Ibuprofen (advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) are much more likely to cause rebound headaches than triptans such as Maxalt.

But, if the triptan (Maxalt) is NOT effective at all what so ever, then you should talk to your doctor about switching to a different triptan or to a different type of medication. I was wondering if you are taking Maxalt-MLTs? Those are the quick dissolve tablets (orally disintegrating tablets). If that is not the version of Maxalt you are taking, make sure to switch to that version... because it will work better than the regular maxalt tablets. The quick dissolve version of Maxalt is called "Maxalt-MLT", and I believe that statistically the Maxalt-MLT 10mg tablets work better than the Maxalt-MLT 5mg tablets but only your doctor could tell you which dosage is best for you.

Other versions of fast absorbing triptans are "Zomig-ZMT", those are the orally disintegrating tablets, or Zomig Nasal Spray. Or, Sumatriptan (Imitrex or generic) Injection.

It is good that you are going to see a neurologist. That is really the first step as far as treating migraines goes. A neurologist will be able to say for sure that this is a migraine and if it is not then you will get proper treatment for what it is instead of triptans which are migraine medication. If it is a migraine, which is probable, then a neurologist can prescribe preventative medication, which is better than using triptans daily... because you are right, it is not ideal to be taking triptans daily, although it is okay to take 2 doses every 24 hours, just not ideal to be having to use that much acute medication.

The preventatives that a neurologist might prescribe are an antidepressant (specifically Amitriptyline, an antidepressant used to treat chronic migraines) or an Anticonvulsant (likely either Topamax or Valproic Acid) or a Beta Blocker (blood pressure medication). Your neurologist might also suggest Botox shots in your face, head and neck instead of these medications. These are usually all very successful in treating chronic migraines, and many of these (especially the anticonvulsants) are very successful in treating many types of chronic pain. Your neurologist will have a good idea of which is the best to try first. If one doesn't work, it is likely that another one will work.

In the meantime, if the pain ever gets too much too handle (severe pain) or if any pain is constant for 3 days or more and you feel you cannot manage the pain, then please do not hesitate to go to your local emergency department to be treated for your headache. They might not be able to permanently stop your headache, but they WILL be able to temporarily stop the headache with strong pain killers and/or other methods depending on the type of headache you have (such as oxygen if it is a cluster headache). Also, going to emergency is a good way to be seen faster by a neurologist if you feel you cannot wait for your booked appointment because the pain is too intense or unmanageable. It is important that you are seen by doctors and that your pain is managed.

Keep us posted on how it goes.
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1030950 tn?1261010513
Today is day 43 and im still having major headaches. I have been having neurological symptoms, seeing dots on the floor and the doctor is still messing around with my neuro appointment. I have been having recent joint pain, changes in body temperatures, weight loss, and my hair is falling out easily. I have taken myself off of the Maxalt that the doctor had me on because i read you can not take it everyday and it causes rebound headaches.
Helpful - 0
180749 tn?1443595232
I would like you to do this breathing techniques and come back to report your progress so others can benefit.
To to get relief from headache/migraine naturally, the full pranayam exercises are described below.
Initially do Anulom Vilom (as much as you can) for the fist few days and then start the full set of pranayam.This works gradually, so allow time (1 week upto 16 weeks) and concentrate fully on the breathing. Avoid cold drinks and drink warm water.

Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after 1 minute.
Kapalbhati -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for upto 15 minutes twice a day. Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.

Anulom Vilom -  Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 20 to 30  minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep breaths into the lungs.

Bhramri Pranayam -Close eyes. Close ears with thumb, index finger on forehead, and rest three fingers on base of nose touching eyes. Breathe in through nose. And now breathe out through nose while humming like a bee.
Duration : 5 to 15 times
Helpful - 0
1030950 tn?1261010513
I have gotten my results back and it was clear as well as my ECG and blood work. The meds my doctor has me on right now are no longer working. I have been going to the chiropractor and massage therapist for about 3 weeks but they have not been helping. The headaches are interrupting my concentration in school. My doctor told me he has no idea what it is and is making an appointment with the Neurologist.  It has already been 35 days with these persistent headaches. They have not gone away one day so far. My family and I are at a loss and don’t know what to do anymore.
Helpful - 0
768044 tn?1294223436
if the pain is really bad, like 8+/10 on the pain scale and it won't go away or any headache at all that you would consider the worst headache you've ever had before that you could possibly imagine anyone having no matter how long it lasts for, you could always try going to an Urgent Care Centre or the ER and they will be able to give you medication to try and stop the pain cycle (probably different than what your doctor has already prescribed you) and maybe oxygen like someone else suggested if it is a cluster headache (as this usually can only be given in a hospital). also, at an Urgent Care Centre or ER they will do blood work, an EEG, and a CAT Scan or MRI right away and you won't have to wait weeks or months for these appointments. a headache that is 8+/10 on the pain scale that doesn't go away for days or weeks or a headache that you would call "the worst headache imaginable that you have ever had in your entire life" no matter how long it lasts for can be considered an emergency so it is okay if you go to an Urgent Care Centre or the ER... it is an acceptable reason to go and you will get the tests done faster and you will get better pain management treatment at a hospital.
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1030950 tn?1261010513
Hey. I have never had problems with my sleeping so i really doubt that it is that. I have tried altering my diet taking out things and changing it around. I saw the doctor today and he is sending me for bloodwork as well as an ECG.
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Avatar universal
Hi,
It sounds to me like you have cluster headaches.  I would do a little research and see an neurologist asap.  I have them and one of the classic symptoms and difference between clusters and typical migraine's is that they wake you from a sound sleep, or you wake with one, they don't go away, they can last for weeks and even months.  Triptans are used, and other meds to prevent the onset are also used.  One of the best ways to get rid of it quick is to receive some oxygen, high flow 15lpm with a non-rebreather mask.  I don't suppose you have access to oxygen do you??  A firefighter in the family or friend??  I am an EMT and I keep oxygen at home to beat my cluster's and also take Verapamil as a preventitive.  I hope this helps you a little.
alicia
Helpful - 0
901807 tn?1287015788
Hey have you tryed changing your diet? Sometimes to much chocolate and caffeine can do it, also food with MSG in it. I am taking amitriptyline right before bed every night but it did take about 4 weeks of taking it before it started to work, and now if I eat really wrong I still get a small headache but now where as bad as they were.
Good luck with the CT scan let me know how you make out.
Helpful - 0
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