I have a chronic headache and I no one can seem to help...see additional details, please.?

Question

I have been having a chronic headache since about April of this year. At the time I started having them I was pregnant and it was thought to be high BP. After I delivered I still had them, but since around June they have been getting worse. At first it was thought to be high BP, but I have a home BP machine and my BP is always fine when I take it or have headaches. So, the drs then said it was migraines, well they gave me medicine, and it doesn't work. Then I went back and they said oh it might be your sinus, so I got antibiotics I had to take for 5 days, and it didn't work. My husband is in the Army, and I am trying to get another appointment, but seem to have no luck getting one, I almost went to the ER, but we have 2 small children. No, OTC pain medicine works, I was just wondering if there was something I could try to make it go away, or something I could say to the dr to get him to understand that this is serious. Thank you, any help would be appreciated!

Answer 1

try chewing or sucking on ice. they have done studies with this simple idea and it worked.

i do have a question for you tho....was the birth aided by a spinal block or epidural? chances are the needle aggrivated something in the spinal column that could be putting pressure in any space above the needle mark.

Answer 2

I'm sorry to hear about the problems you are having with headaches. I'm an RN and I have a long history of migraine headaches so I empathize with you. First of all I would ask my physician for a referral to a Neurologist (particularly one who specializes in headaches) and remind your physician that your husband is away in the Army and you are not able to care for your 2 children because of your disabling headaches. You can remind your physician that you have given several medications "the old college try" but now the time has come for a specialist to assess you including a complete neurological workup to rule out potential causes and to come to a difinitive diagnosis including specific treatment. I agree with you that you seem far past trying OTC pain medications. You might discuss trying a muscle relaxant in addition to specific medication to relieve the pain with a neurologist but the common side effects of muscle relaxants may be hard for you to manage due to your responsibility of caring for your 2 small children. Prior to your seeing a neurologist try keeping a headache journal. Write down the date and time of your headaches, any precipitating factors that you might be aware of such as decreased sleep, poor positioning of neck during sleep, any additional stress more than usual, specific foods (such as Chinese, cheese, chocolate, wheat products, wine, etc,) where the headache started and how it progressed, the type of pain, the severety of pain on a scale of 1-10,what you did to relieve the headache if anything, what you have tried in the past that did or didn't work, any common factors with all of your headaches,etc. By the way, tell the neurologist that you have not had X-rays to rule out sinus problems nor have you had an EEG, CT Scan or MRI to rule out other possible causes of your headaches. Also discuss your pregnancy and the role of hormone changes in causing headaches. In the mean time there is not much specific pain help I can give you as a specific diagnosis based on assessment, testing, and clinical findings must be done first. However, I would suggest using as flat a pillow as possible when you sleep and would suggest that you sleep on your side which you probably did when you were pregnant. Also I would pick up 2 or 3 small reusable cold packs. Rubbermade puts out one called BLUE ICE which is 8x7x1 1/2in.and is called ICE SUBSTITUTE/REUSABLE and costs about $1. Phone around and see if any of the drug stores or larger stores carry them. It needs to be soft plastic and resusable and not the hard/molded ones that go in coolers. Then have a neighbor or friend pick up a couple for you. These are kept in the fridge not freezer and I put one on the back of my neck and one on my forehead before going to sleep or whenever I'm experiencing a headache. The cold lasts only about 20 minutes which is about the right ttime for using cold compresses. It works by constricting the blood vessels which are swollen and pulsating and have caused the headache by putting pressure on nearby nerves.Also some people find that increasing your magnesium helps to reduce the pain. This helps my pain at times. With 2 little ones I'm sure that you don't get much rest but maybe you could go to bed early with the kids atleast once or twice a week as this should help too. At any rate, I think that a referral to a good neurologist is your next big step. If you feel that it would be helpful have someone go to the appointment with you for the support and to help you get your points across. Good luck to you and may God Bless

Answer 3

Try getting a massage. Tell the Therapist what is going on and they should be able to help you. Also there is a spot in between your pointing finger and your thumb. It is a blood flow point. ONLY DO THIS IF YOU ARE NOT PREGNANT BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE A MISCARRIAGE. Take your right thumb and finger and press on either side of your left thumb and finger. You should feel a zing sensation, hold that and as the sensation decreases put more pressure on it. After a few minutes slowly let go and repeat on the right hand. This could take your headache away.
Good Luck to you!

Answer 4

If you are having other symptoms with the headaches such as nausea vomiting aversion to bright lights dizzyness go back to the dr. or try another one if he won't listen to you. You know you're own body better than anyone I always suggest a second opinion if the first one doesn't set right with you. headaches can be caused from alot of things such as stress not enough rest or something lacking in your diet or even something you're eating or drinking that you're having a reaction to. if you're doing anything new stop it and see what happens diet drinks are high on the list for headaches the artificial sweetener used in most of them causes a lot of people to have a reaction if nothing new or unusual is going on then make it clear to your dr that if he won't help you further you will go to someone who can headaches are draining on your system and interfere with your daily living I sympathize and wish you Good Luck

Answer 5

Have you actually read some of the additional details on here? Many times the question was much better without them. Then too, additional details appear as you are answering or afterwards... There have been a few times that I've missed a part of the details or didn't read them.

Answer 6

Headache is a pain in the head, scalp or neck. Headaches can be
caused by minor problems like eyestrain, lack of coffee or more
serious reasons like head injury, brain tumors, encephalitis and
meningitis. Taking painkillers continuously can have harmful side
effects, so it is better to modify your lifestyle. More information
available at http://tinyurl.com/q8696

Answer 7

See if this helps: Stop your intake of caffeine in any form (teas coffee, sodas) stop your intake of chocolate. Drastically reduce your intake of sugar. I fear that sugar is the biggest culprit here and is know for its ability to cause and enhance migrain. Since your pregnancy your hormonal level increased. Your metabolism is not the same anymore. While your Dr. can help you with medicine, reducing or cutting out the aforementioned items can't hurt and the great thing is there are no side effects. good luck. email me if it works.

Answer 8

Try the chiropractor. I swear by them. ( I've been diagnosed with migraines since I was five.) If you can't get in there, try a masseuse. They do work miracles..

Answer 9

Try the chiropractor, it could be a pinched nerve or something. Pressure somewhere???????