cronic headache

[jillynate]

3 days after a tmj surgery, I woke up with a headache.  That was 4 years ago, and I have had that same headache everday since then.  I never had a headache before the surgery.  I'm on a good dose of effexor and nortryptoline.  I feel foggy, dumb and always tired, but my pain is down by half.  Anyone out there with a permanet headache after surgery?  How can I get this to go away?

[tallulah09]

Hi Suri123, thanks for your response. It is very difficult to see neurologists here. It's months wait, last time I seen my neuro it was over video conference, we had an appointment face to face but he cancelled. He had given me feverfew and planned on seeing what he can do when my next appointment was. Since he cancelled last month I do not see a neurologist till september. For my migrains I usually take Fiorinal C/12 which is very effective. I have not had a migraine in a few months and i'm not sure if it would still  be as effective as I am taking these pills regularly for headaches. My blood pressure is very good. My headaches are still everyday, I miss school at least 3 times a week. I am just waiting on the hospital to call back for my sleep study. It's been over a month now and no call back. I live in a small town in Ontario Canada and there is major problems in the health care system which is pretty apparent. After calling a neurologist I seen last year in T.O at the Hospital for SIck Children...he was not able to see me again and his secretary/nurse recommended we go to our local emergency room and throw a fit to get me into T.O sick kids hospital.. The last few times i went to the local emergency for headaches they gave me pain killers that were not effective at all and they gave me a medication called Stemitil, this was an anti nausea medication. It made me anxious, nervous etc.. My family doctor was very upset as apparently this medication is no good and is very old. This is just to show you that the hospital here can't do much for me and I am running out of options. I highly doubt if I go to the local emegerency they will get me admitted to the hospital in Toronto as this is not critical. Thanks again

[Suri123]

Hi tallulah09, thanks again for your reply and updates on your present health status. You should be happy to know some of investigations were normal. Hope you are better off now. Are you taking any medications for your migraines, do they help ease your chronic headaches also? Is your blood pressure levels monitored? It is good idea to get your sleep study done any case and get a evaluation done, Has your neurologist prescribed any medications in your last visit. You should ask for a follow up at least once in two months. Take care and keep posting your thoughts and any progress.

[tallulah09]

Hello Suri123, I have seen Neurologist and my Cardiologists, Respitory Therapist, ive done EEG's. Cat Scan, MRI, Ultrasound, they have checked my heart as well.. they do not see anything. I read that it could be caused by hardening of the arteries but no doctors are looking into anymore. My family doctor tells me he can't do anything for me anymore. I have asthma, and i have migrains with aura as well Basilar migrains.. Ive tried Percocets, Fiorinal, Feverfew, topirimate, tylenol,advil,asprin.. toradol and have had painkillers through intervenus. None of these effective for very long or at all.For awhile I stopped taking any pills because of dependency and rebound headachs, this was effective for a few months but the headaches came back. At this point there is nothing they can do, they are going to schedule me for a sleep test and my next appointment to see a neurologist is in september.  My headaches started the day after my operation so I do think there is a relevance and this is not coincidence but none of the doctors seem to think any of it.

[Suri123]

Hi tallulah09, thanks for your reply and how are you keeping now? It is better you consult a neurologist and an ENT specialist to get a complete check up. Your past surgery might not have caused you these chronic headaches directly but post surgical stress you undergo can be the cause. Since you are not getting a permanent relief from headache, you need to get investigations as to know the probable cause and plan for the treatment thereon. Are you on any medication currently? Keep posted of your doctor visit and advises. Take care.

[tallulah09]

well, i had heart surgery 3 years ago and had headachs ever since contact me at ***@**** to discuss more

[tallulah09]

hello

[Suri123]

Hi, I don't see much relevance of your past surgery to the chronic headache you are suffering. what was the cause for your past surgery, have you been examined by a neurophysician or ENT specialist any time. You can better get investigated to get rid of your symptoms.
Bye.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

Would you be able to elaborate on the character of your headache?

Some migraneurs with chronic daily headaches that occur for months respond to neuronal blocks or neural hyperstimulation.You may discuss this with your physician if your headaches are chronic severe, and occur in short bursts several times a day.

Keep us posted regarding your physician's advice.