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anxiety and chronic daily headaches

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Posted 4/10/2007 6:08 AM (GMT -8)
 I suffer from one-sided chronic daily headaches/migraines w/neck, face, eye and shoulder pain. Lately I've been having alot of anxiety symptoms such as over-active mind, shortness of breath, irregular hearbeat etc....Does anyone know if anxiety could be the root of the of all the pain or a symptom of the daily headaches, or maybe the 2 could be feeding off of eachother making both conditions worse??????  Any feedback would be appreciated

 

Posted 4/10/2007 8:18 AM (GMT -8)
I'm sure anxiety can be the root of all of those things you mentioned - they always were at the root of mine....the shortness of breath, racing thoughts, headaches, etc., etc.  Have you been tested for your headaches....could also be connected with sinuses, as is mine.  But there are so many ways anxiety can manifest itself that it would take ten pages to list all of them (and I think I've had most of them at one time or another).  Are you on any anxiety medication?  I'm not at present and would certainly love to be taking something like Xanax, that previously helped me more than any other anti-depressant, etc. but doc's don't want to prescribe it because of the addiction factor.  I took it years ago for over two years, however, then went off it with no withdrawal.  Anyway, there might be something the doc could prescribe that would be right for you.  Good luck!

Posted 4/10/2007 10:24 AM (GMT -8)
andwes > My doctor wouldn't put me on Xanax because of the potential addiction factor... put me on Ativan (Lorazepam) instead... works good for me. If Xanax helped you that much, maybe talk to your doc about Ativan?

to chewy> Stress/anxiety can (like andwes said) manifest itself in many many ways. I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and the most common symptoms I experience is just like what you have mentioned when my anxiety/stress starts acting up. The night before last I had what I think was the worst panic attack I've ever had, and on top of those symptoms (headache, tightness in the chest like you're not getting enough air when you breathe, like you have a weight on your chest, heart feeling like it's beating out of your chest) but also I felt nauseated, broke out in a cold sweat... my skin felt cold to me but I broke out in a sweat... wasn't good at all. The possibilities are endless, if it concerns you I'd talk to a doctor just to be sure :)
Posted 4/11/2007 5:15 AM (GMT -8)
I have had a headache every day for years. Many of the medictions I take can cause them ,of course tightness in the neck and shoulders can do the same. I take Excedrin asprin free and that makes them go away.
Posted 4/11/2007 10:43 AM (GMT -8)
because i've been through it, i can tell you that absoultely YES anxiety and stress can cause the most awful chronic headaches and muscle pain. luckily i am also able to say that it doesn't last forever! once you start treating the anxiety, the pain will begin to dissipate.
Posted 4/12/2007 11:18 AM (GMT -8)

THANKS TO ALL THAT RESPONDED....MUCH APPRECIATED

I GUESS MY NEXT STEP IS TO TRY AND TREAT MY ANXIETY SINCE THAT IS THE ONE OF THE FEW THINGS IVE YET TO INVESTIGATE.

ANYBODY KNOW HOW about FINDING A REPUTABLE THERAPIST?

Posted 4/12/2007 12:32 PM (GMT -8)
Ativan is still a controlled substance its the same family at xanax but xanax doesnt work for me makes me feel worse so ativan is what im on and it works pretty well they are talking bout puttin me on klonopin its a time released benz such as ativan or xanax but supposed to have less side effects such as the ativan makes me light headed and tingly but whatever works best for me doesnt mean its whats gonna work best for someone else talk to dr and try ativan first cause xanax really isnt good well not for me anyways
P0tluck
Posted 4/12/2007 12:43 PM (GMT -8)
finding a good therapist isn't easy unless you have friends or family who have been in therapy and can recommend someone. otherwise its just trial and error :( if you don't have insurance and are planning on being able to pick a therapist of your choosing, sometimes just googling for therapists in your area will bring up lots of results, and i've even been able to find websites that list what the therapists specialize in (i.e. anxiety, depression, family issues, etc...).
Posted 6/3/2014 7:57 PM (GMT -8)
This is a very late reply, but I have just been diagnosed with GAD and have been researching my symptoms and found this post. I have the identical symptoms as you do and suffer from one-sided chronic daily headaches/migraines w/neck, face, eye pain. I just saw a neurologist that told me my CT scan is normal and prescribed me nortriptyline 10 mg. He said to give it 2-4 weeks and the headaches should subside. I am beginning treatment and will soon find out. He completely suggests that when I had labyrinthitis last year for three months that it was normal to develop migraines and the chronic daily headache is associated with GAD in his opinion. I am going to be seeking more medication from my GP for my anxiety as well as begin an exercise regime. Would really like to hear how you've managed your anxiety thus far.
Posted 6/3/2014 8:44 PM (GMT -8)
Hi RMB,

It is not likely that you will hear back from any of the OP's of this threadn (it's been a  long time)...but we have many members here who would love to welcome you...and who could understand about the chronic headaches that go along with anxiety.

Would you consider making a new thread for yourself, so that you can be more easily recognized as a new member? (you can get lost in the shuffle tagging onto an older thread.)

You can do this by hitting the Post New Topic icon in the upper left toolbar.

Hope to see your post soon.:)

Scaredy Cat
Posted 6/10/2014 11:13 AM (GMT -8)
Many thanks, started a new one under "
Chronic daily headaches & anxiety"
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