chronic tension headaches

[Alice_T]

I am a 20 year old female, who was diagnosed last month as have overlapping chronic tension and sinus headaches by a neurologist. The neurologist has put me on a maximum dose of 40mg of the antidepressant endep 10 to try to help prevent the headaches. I have been on this for over a month now and there has been a little but not substantial improvement. I have just started back at uni and I am finding it really hard to cope with the afternoon headaches I have been getting. I have an appointment with a food allergy specialist next week to test me for food intolerances by putting me on the elimination diet. I have read so much information on the internet and there doesn't seem to be much indication that food intolerances cause tension headaches. Rather, the literature points at migraine and food intolerances being linked. Am I waisting my time by doing the elimination diet? Also is there anything else I can do to try to help stop whatever is causing this, I really need to do something, I am contemplating deferring Uni because i just cant cope anymore. Please any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

[Suri123]

Hi Alice_T, How are you doing? Relax! You seem to be too stressed due to your chronic headache might be a tension one or sinus for that matter. Can you say how long you have been suffering this headaches and how did it start? Are there any aggravating or relieving factors, more so with food in particular? Are you studying presently or working? Stress can worsen your symptoms further. How about your blood pressure readings? Try to avoid cold weather, cold foods, which can aggravate sinus. Few sessions of physical or massage therapy is always helpful. You need to focus on primary cause and its treatment. Finding food allergen might be time consuming and helps little, also is expensive. So it would be better you consult an ENT specialist once before trying out other ways out. Share your thoughts. Take care.

[marknmpls]

Hi Alice.  I have persistent daily headaches too.  My neurologist said the diet thing is a waste of time.  If you truly have tension headaches, you might want to try a physical therapist, sometimes associated with a TMJ clinic, even though you might not have TMJ.
I'm trying biofeedback in a couple weeks, but my expectations are low.  Good luck.

Mark