I have had headaches for years but my ct scan is normal. The problem?

Question

is I can't continue to take ibuprofen every single day. My doctor put me on pain medication but it is getting to the point it is not working and I am getting addicted to the medication. I don't know what to do. I went to a neurologist and told me I had rebound headaches but if I don't take some type of pain reliever then I will end at the ER which I don't want to do. Can someone help me.

Answer 1

Find an osteopathic doctor that does sacral-cranial work and/or osteopathic manipulations. (There will be a D.O. after their last name instead of M.D.) I'm positive osteopathic manipulations would improve your headaches.

Answer 2

I was in a very similar situation. I would wake up with a headache every single morning and the first Ithing 'd do each morning would take Excederin - sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. I realized that this was not a good thing to do but really didn't know what else to do. I'd tried OTC supplements/vitamins but none seemed to have any effect on the headaches. I also had taken a CT scan at one point and it was also normal. Then someone in my church introduced me to a brand that I hadn't heard of at the time. I started taking some of their supplements and before I knew it my headaches were gone. It didn't happen overnight but it happened. I don't know specifically which one did the trick but I tend to think the one that had the greatest impact was probably the B-Complex. Mind you I had tried the OTC B-Complex in the past but it did nothing. I thank God for the lady that introduced me to this brand of all natural supplement that really worked.

Hope this is useful and feel free to contact me with questions or the brand I use.

Answer 3

Most headaches dont have an abnormality on the CT. The commonest type of headache is the tension headache.

The other commonest type of headache is due to dehydration. The body gets dehydrated whenever you arent consuming enough of fluids. So an adequate intake of fluids is necessary. Usually about 2-3 liters of water apart from your meal times is the right amount to consume water.

Excess of coffee too can cause headache because of a condition called as caffeine withdrawal, so limit your intake of tea or coffee to about 2 times a day.

You may need some blood tests to exclude other possibilites of headache.

A word of caution: Consuming ibuprofen everday and that too without any gastro-protective medicine like antacids or PPI's can take your stomach for a toss. Severe acidity is the most common complication of excess pain killers, but prolonged usage can even damage the kidneys.

Looks like you need a change in the person treating you!

Hope that helps
Rgds
Lex

Answer 4

There are studies that prove that chronic headaches are actually caused by the ibuprofen. You have to stop taking it. Ask themto put you on Neuronitin. It is a medication originally used for seizures. It is used for chronic pain because it blocks the pain nerve pathways. You need to stop all the pain meds-you probaly are having rebound headaches. However, your doctor and neurologist don't sound like they are treating you appropriately. Find someone who will. Good luck!!

Answer 5

CTs and MRIs are expected to be normal in those with headaches unless there are additional symptoms or physical findings. Headaches are most commonly muscle or migraine although there are other types and sub types. The good news is that the worse the headaches the easier they are to treat and most of the time most of the headaches may be prevented. Once a headache is in place treatment is more difficult but things have improved dramatically in the past 5 years.

Answer 6

My Mum has this problem -- ct scans normal as you mention. She finds that Tiger Balm Ointment in spray on form, sprayed on forehead/neck, can relieve symptoms somewhat. Also, she is taking SILICA which has reduced severity/frequency somewhat but it takes a while. Another thing is FEVERFEW herb (in capsules or tea) and also, most health food stores carry a MIGRAINE blend of herbs -- can't recall what all herbs right now, , milk thistle and somethign else, I think. These are natural remedies, but not true homeopathy, which I don't know a lot about.

Answer 7

You are having rebound headaches. I know how painful it can be, but if you can make it through one without taking something, then it may make a world of difference.

Talk to your doctor about alternative, non-narcotic, non-addictive medications. Have you tried Imitrex, or any of the migraine meds? It may be worth a shot.

Answer 8

It sounds like stress to me and it does not help that you have to stress even more because of what's happening. It feels like a vicious circle that is neverending. Try cutting back on your pain meds and also take a good look at what's going on in your life. If it is bad, try to eliminate it for just a short while to see what happens to your headache and keep trying this and I think you will find the source of your pain. Remember to try to slowly wean off the pills and I think you can do it!

Answer 9

Instead of just trying to stop your meds, try weaning yourself off of the medication. (if you take four a day, cut down to three for a few days, and so on until you are down to one, then just take it every other day and then not at all)
Are your headaches caused by tension? Practice relaxation exercises, exercise, do yoga!! Are they migraines or just bad headaches? If it's migraines keep a diary of what you eat and drink to identify trigger foods and ask your neurologist about imitrex or something to reduce the frequency.

Answer 10

I suffer from the same thing. I had my nose broken about a decade ago and since I have suffered from serious migraines. If I don't take medicine then I am not functional. Sometimes it is so bad that I throw up. Have you ever had a blow to the head or face because that could be it. I hope this helps.
Another thing is it could be a dental problem. Have you checked with your dentist?
I agree with AZOasis, you should see a DO.

Answer 11

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