Chronic Headaches and Neck Pain

[Sam1306]

I have had a headache everyday since i was about 10 years old. I am now 22. The headaches dont follow any specific patterns as they are always different and fit symptoms for every type of headache. I go to sleep with a headache and wake up with one. Pain pills sometimes dull the pain but nothing can make it go away, not even morphine. I have been for every test and scan and they cant find anything. i have tried so many different combinations of medications, none of which helped. About 6 months ago i was in a car accident. Since then i have had neck pain everyday as well. My neurologist did all the scans again and only found slight arthritis in my neck. I was in hospital on a drip with about 3 or 4 different meds. They couldnt get rid of the neck pain either. The original headaches were bad enough, now with the neck pain added, i can hardly get through a day. If there is anyone who knows of something that might be able to help me i would be so happy. I cant face spending the rest of my life with this pain.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? I'm sorry to hear what you've been through for the past years. If medications do not help, have you tried complimentary and alternative medicine? Many chronic headache sufferers benefit from techniques such as biofeedback, hypnosis and even acupuncture. Talk to your doctor about this for complimentary management.

Take care and do keep us posted.

[Sam1306]

Thanks! I have tried those types of medications. I have not had any luck with them though.
Thanks for replying!!

[rudyhorse]

So sorry you are suffering with this.  My headaches started at puberty which for me also was 10, and have changed over the years.  I too have some arthritis in my neck and it does worsen, or maybe even cause some of my headaches.  Often if I am able I take a break and lay with a oblong pillow or rolled up towel under my neck to relax and give it a break, that does help if I do it soon enough.

At your age I had success with preventive meds, like noratriptaline (spelling), they are tricyclic meds.  And I use Zomig for the headaches.  Now I have tried Nadolol without much success, however I caution here because many people do have good results with it, my sister does very well with that medication.  

Often medications like Morphine do not work on migraines.  In the hospital when I have had to go they used DHE.
Hope this helps.........keep us posted....

Tracy