Headache over a week! Help welcome!

Hi there

Im new to these forms, and although my mum advised me against it, I think that I could maybe get some help and/or reasurance.

I have been having a headache for a week now, its hard to describe and it seems as though my head is sore all over, but particularly at the base of my head/neck.  The top of my head also gets sore along with my temples and behind my eyes (I know everywhere right!).  I have been to see my GP who said that the glands in my throat were swollen and prescribed me anyti biotics but they havent really helped (been on them for a few days now).  I went back to the doctor last night who looked behind my eyes, and made me touch my nose with my finger, he said that there was nothing unusual (except slightly high BP).  He gave me ibuprofen which did help a little and I got a bit more sleep last night than I have been getting.  My arms and legs have also felt heavy and sore.

Its really starting to worry me and get me down.  I am prone to mild depression, and before this headache started ( its been constant for a week) I was starting to feel a bit depressed but I dont know if this is related, can a depressive headahce last this long?  One last bit of information I recently stopped taking my birth control pill as I was having some breakthrough bbleeding.  i knwo it is alot to take in, and thanks in advance for anyone with any advice, it is much appreciated!

Gillian x

Hello Gillian,

It does sound like tension headaches to me.  Sometime tension headaches can cause pain in the eyes, ears, mouth, temples, neck, etc...

Your headaches could also be from going off from birth control, being that the birth control alters your hormones, so once you get off from it, there is usually a fluxuation in your hormones which can cause some pretty bad headaches. 

And, of course, depression can cause tension, which can cause headaches.  The headaches can then cause depression to worsen, which causes the headaches to worse and so on...so try to make sure you don't get into that cycle if at all possible.

Here's a website for basic self-massage for tension headaches:  http://ezinearticles.com/?Self-Massage-Techniques-for-Tension-Headaches&id=845338   It's easy, doesn't take much time, and can be very helpful.  Keep me posted on what's going on :)

~Liz

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Dx: Chronic Daily Migraines & Chronic Depression

Daily meds: Trazadone, Norpramin & Cymbalta

PRN meds: Tylonal #3

Hi Gillian,

It could be useful for your GP to refer you to a Neurologist just to make sure that these headaches are just purely tension, or if there is some migraine there too! I know it is easy for me to say, but try not to worry about this there are many treatments out there that could help you, you just need to see someone more qualified to deal with this than your GP!

Let me know how you get on with this, take care

Ann

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Co-Moderator of the Migraine/Headache Forum

Hi Gillian,

I know how difficult it is to have faith in doctors after you get no results from so many of them, but you should keep trying because not all doctors are the same, sooner or later one of them will figure out the problem and be able to treat it. 

I get tension headaches quite often, along with sinus headaches and migraines.  With the help of my doctors, I have my tension headaches and sinus headaches pretty much under control.  Muscle relaxants have been a huge help with getting the tension headaches out of the way, maybe you could ask your doctor about them on your next visit.

Just remember, if you ever need anything, everyone here will be more than happy to help because we know what you're going through. 

Best wishes,

~Liz

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Dx: Chronic Daily Migraines & Chronic Depression

Daily meds: Trazadone, Norpramin & Cymbalta

PRN meds: Tylonal #3

Hi Gillian,

It's always nice to rule everything out, it helps take some of the worrying out of the issue of headaches.  I'm glad to hear that your pain is now a more tingling sensation than actual pain.  Eliminating all stress is just about impossible...unless you become a hermit...which actually sounds fun to me :P 

Thank you for keeping me updated on how you are doing, I appreciate it :)  I'm doing alright, I just had a shot for my headaches on Monday, so right now I'm feeling great.  Of course I have a new set of classes starting this week, so it will be pretty short lived lol.

Let me know how everything works out for you,

~Liz

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Dx: Chronic Daily Migraines & Chronic Depression

Daily meds: Trazadone, Norpramin & Cymbalta

PRN meds: Tylonal #3

Hey Gill,

I'm glad that all of your tests came back normal.  Whenever I have tests I'm not sure if I hope they'll be normal or different...if they are different, at least I'll know what's wrong...but if they're normal I know that nothing is wrong, I'm not sure which one I prefer yet lol.  If your problem is the bone at the top of your nose, what will your doctor do about it?

Maybe you should try a getting massage every week or every other week.  Even if you're not particularly tense, just treating yourself to something nice on a regular basis can really help you feel better.

I know how you feel with the anxiety issues, unfortunately anxiety is a pretty common factor with headache patients.  I'm glad to hear that you're still moving onwards, I know how difficult that can be sometimes.

I've been doing alright, thank you for asking.  I've recently been put on birth control to see if that will affect my headaches at all.  I haven't noticed any difference yet (it's been about 5 weeks) but my doctor wants me to give it some more time.  I've started sleepwalking again, so I've been afraid to sleep lately which, of course, makes my headaches worse :(  It's kind of a lose/lose situation.

Thank you for letting me know how you are, please continue to keep in touch,

~Liz

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Dx: Chronic Daily Migraines & Chronic Depression

Daily meds: Trazadone, Norpramin & Cymbalta

PRN meds: Tylonal #3

To Gill and 8ezbnme (anybody),

 

I also would like an update as I have had a constant headache for a week now that is not relieved with Ibuprofen or Extra Strength Excedrin--Migraines. I don't have a history of high BP, but lately it has been borderline. I am naturally a hyperchondriac, so I have been thinking that I am experiencing caffeine withdrawals, migraines, building aneurysym, and even a brain tumor. The inability to pinpoint the problem and the constant nagging pain makes life difficult to manage, and no doubt adds to the stress that may be causing it in the first place.

 

Thanks and I hope you both are doing better,

Dezire

 

I also had 8 years such pains. The doctors spoke me only to accept medicaments (drugs). But it never helped.
I did not trust and I do not believe now that it incurably. I of the beginnings to search for the reason these headaches. I suspected a poisoning. As in a wood and in mountains I felt very well. Only recently I find the reason. It was a slow poisoning with gas And also my bad neighbours. They revenged me. I have found a microcrack in a gas pipe, which gave outflow of 50 litres of gas per day (part of gas left in ventilation hole (channel) and the part remained in a room.
The bad neighbour was taken away police.
Search also for reason. Someone can also interested. In your death. And also check your blood on sugar (neuropaties)
.
best wishes
I. Wus