dull headache constantly for three months straight, occassional stabbing headaches daily

[pattycakes32]

Hi there, I am at my wits end with my headache situation and wonder if anyone might be able to help. Thanks in advance.

About three months ago I started experiencing dull headaches everyday. On certain days, the headaches would become migraine-like in intensity, but I did not have other typical migraine symptoms.  I went to the optometetrist to have my eyes checked and they found no problems there. I saw my psychiatrist, as I also take medication for bipolar disorder. He did not think my medications would be causing headaches, because I have not altered dosages or medicines in over 4 years. I have been checking my bloodpressure and it is completely normal.

About three weeks ago I started having intense, painful sensations in the back, lower left side of my head. It's like a sudden stabbing pain that lasts for a few seconds. I also now have an almost constant feeling of heavy-headedness. My head feels weighed down and if I bend over or tilt it, I feel quite labored when I reposition myself or get up. I also notice that my face becomes very flushed and red when this happens.

It seems that all I do now is sleep, in order to escape the pain, but when I wake up the headaches are still there.

My general practitioner prescribed darvocet which does not seem to help. He is urging me to get a CT scan and MRI done, but I am uninsured and cannot afford to do this at the moment.

I saw a second doctor a couple days ago who said he could do nothing for me without at least a CT scan.

I have been to the emergency room four times, but all they do is give me pain medication and tell me that my situation is not a real emergency. Nice, huh?

The only thing that helps is putting my head under a hot faucet, sounds silly I know, but it does ease the pain.

Does anyone have any advice or insight as to what this might be or how I can manage the problem myself?

Thank you so very much for your time!

[lunawolf1313]

Hi  I'm having some of those symptoms and more with the head pain for 3 months and counting now..gotten to the point thatI don't care what it costs just fix it!  doing cervical MRI on me tomorrow and then I'm changing dr cause this one wont run other test cause I dont have the money on insurance..found a top 10 hopsital who said they didn't care and would try to find out what was wrong with me have same prob except no.5 on your list  but I also feel like I have an awful sunburn feeling on my back and now the feeling has spread to my face....throat pain just started a few days ago and dr doesn't return calls tried that before. he doesn't want to see me again for 2 months!  needless to say thats why I'm getting someone else well good luck!

[Photographiczen]

Hi Pattycakes32,

3 weeks ago I started having the same kind of headaches. Mine was localized to the mastoid region of my head, and bumped around above my ear and now most of the pain is in the lower left back side of my head. I also went to the ER and the doctor laughed at me and told me it wasn't serious. He wanted to prescribe me Topomax for the pain. I cannot go 1 day without taking medication. I've had my mecidine changed twice so far with no results, except for the lyrica, which reduced the nerve pain in my head, face, neck, shoulder and arm (all on the left side)

A CT Scan isn't that expensive, I am also uninsured, but my CT Scan cost $250..now an MRI would be around $1500...I know how you feel about the money situation. I have asked my doctor 2 times to give me an MRI and he just wants me to continue taking the medicine and if I do not see results in 2-3 weeks then he will do one(That will put me around 6 weeks of putting chemicals in my body).

I believe your health should come first, you can always pay your medical bills a little at a time :) I know an MRI is alot,but it could be something serious.

And just wanted to add that I also feel heavy headed on the left side and when I bend down there's lots of pressure on the left side of my head. But my symptoms are:

1. Headaches (localized and non localized (sharp stabbing, constant dull achy)
2. Nerve pain (head, face, neck, shoulder & arm - left side)
3. Ear Ache (left side)
4. Jaw Ache (left side)
5. Cold sensations (I'm not sure if those are "shocks", but I feel them through out my head)
6. eye irritation (swelling and tearing)
7. My eating habits have also changed (i'm eating less)
8. Intimacy level is gone (if you get the drift)

I'm currently taking Diclofenac for anti-inflammatory, Cyclobenzaprine for muscle relaxer and antibiotic for sinus infection) None of those work.

Last November I was treated for Labyrinthitis (I lost control of the right side of my body, my head was spinning and I was highly nauseous) My CT Scan was clean so doctor did not want to do MRI.

Anyway, that was too long for me to type....You aren't having any other symptoms are you?