My 21-y/o daughter is plagued by daily headaches with all test results normal. Any suggestions as to cause?

Question

Presciption-strength Aleve and other over-the-counter headache medication has had no effect. She's had an EEG, CAT scan, and MRI of the head, neck, and chest. All the blood work came back normal. Yet, her headaches continue on a daily basis and have become more and more frequent over the past three years. They start upon rising out of bed in the mornings. Sometimes they are in the front of her head, sometimes on both sides, sometimes on the back, sometimes pounding, and sometimes there is an intense pressure (squeezing) sensation. The family physician thought that the headaches were due to stress/depression and put her on Wellbrutin. The neurologist thought that the headaches were migrains and has put her on 50 mg of Topamax (4th week and no improvement). The rheumatologist thought that it was Lupus but has since ruled that out. She sees a chiropractor and physical therapist twice per week with no improvement. Anyone have any other suggestions? We are at our wits-end here!

Her hair is shoulder-length and quite thin (always has been) but I appreciate all thoughts.
Just today, I thought of calling an allergist for an appointment.
No, she is not on any birth-control. I've heard of some young women who are put on birth-control medication in order to curb their heachaches that are related to their monthly cycle, however.

Answer 1

I had unexplained headaches at about the same age. I went to five different doctors, got five different diagnoses. One even prescribed glasses.

Then one day I was at the dentist and he asked, "Have you been having headaches lately?" I almost cried. It turned out I had TMJ, trans-mandibular joint disorder. I was grinding my teeth at night and it was wearing out the muscles. The headaches were strained muscles on the sides of my head. My jaw didn't hurt at all, but my eyes and temples were in pain all the time.

Have someone look at her for TMJ, it's an easy fix.

Answer 2

First I would try another opinion from another Neurologist. There are different varieties of migraines and the Topomax may not be the right medication. Also- if she has been getting these headaches daily, she has probably been taking aspirin or other pain relievers as well correct? This problem can result in rebound headaches by taking headache relievers on a daily basis.

I go through spurts of migraines which are stress induced and found that massage and accupuncture works wonders. It can't hurt to try a couple of sessions with an accupuncturist and see if that relieves some tension for her. Insurance usually covers accupuncture now that it has become so popular.

She is probably stressed because she is expecting the headache everyday... since you have done all the tests (I presume an MRI has been done or other like tests?) and everything comes up negative, helping her to be able to de-stress may help the situation.

While getting the accupuncture treatment, you are made to feel so relaxed and calm...I rarely see a stressed out asian person! So they must know the secret to Chinese medicine.

I hope something helps!

Answer 3

I wrote a rather lengthy answer that disappeared as I was looking for the web references related to what I said. Guess I'll try again.

It sounds as though your daughter is having a bad time. To top it off, she has been to several doctors and nothing seems to be helping. I've had migraines for years and recently, they intensified. I have several suggestions and I hope they will help.

First, have any of her doctors recommended a preventative? It helps to prevent headaches. You mentioned Topamax. That is one, although it doesn't work for everyone. Another she might end up trying is Depakote. Unlike the Topamax which doesn't cause weight gain, generally, Depakote can and often does. However, it can be very effective. Both of these meds are anti-epileptics, but are used for bipolar disorder and headaches among other things.

There are other preventatives as well. I used to take Propranolol which is a beta blocker. It worked great for me, but in the dosage I needed, it made me feel quite fatigued all the time. The one I'm taking now is called Verapamil. It is a calcium-channel blocker. It works pretty good for me, but I am having break-through headaches with it. Both of these reduce blood pressure, but are also effective for headaches.

Indomethacin is a very good medication for certain kinds of headaches. Unlike Aleve which is over the counter, Indomethacin is a prescription med. It has to be used with care because it can cause gastrointestinal bleeding. I did find it to be very helpful with my headaches.

Has your daughter considered biofeedback or acupuncture? The biofeedback is one way to learn how to reduce pain. Acupuncture is also very good for treating headaches. Is your daughter drinking enough water? Dehydration can lead to headaches.

Did any of her docs try Duradrin? It's a triple action med that can be used after a headache begins to help make it better? Just to be gentle, you may not know if your daughter is on birth control. If she is, she may not want to tell you. Hopefully, she is letting her docs know about her habits---healthy and not. Remind her that her docs are not allowed to divulge any information she doesn't want divulged. Please don't be offended!!!! We were all young once. :-)

I hope some of this helps. I don't care if you pick my answer or not. I know how it is to have such bad headaches and to be frustrated and upset about it! I hope she starts feeling better soon and that you find out what is wrong.

Answer 4

I would like to suggest hormones. I am 30yrs old and have suffered migraines for over 10yrs. What she is having is most likely migraines. Over the counter Aleve works great for mine if I catch them in time but if not then I have to go in for shots but be careful cause some of the shots that Dr.s give and that I get can be addicting. I get Nubain but I use to get Demerol even more potent but it gave me rebounds. Do you know Aleve can also give rebounds? My migraines though are all hormonal and I get them almost everyday as well. I won't get into detail about what then found but maybe suggest to the Dr. about a cat scan of the pelvis and see if she has syst's on her ovary's or maybe endometriosis. You would be surprised as to how many woman suffer hormone migraines. Also a great web site that even my Dr. suggest (I will post below). Good luck and contact me anytime if you have further questions. If I can be of any help then I would love to be. I have been there and done that and hate to see someone else go through years of trial and error before finding help. Best of luck to you and your daughter.

Answer 5

has anyone suggested seizures? i am considered epileptic (even though i haven't had a seizure in many years) and before my seizures i have headaches like that. maybe you should get a second opinion on the neurology side of it because if its not epilepsy or a tumor it could be an aneurysm.
also while i was pregnant i had something i forget what its called but it was basically swelling of the brain. it was because i was overweight while pregnant and it was causing pressure on my spine that was blocking the flow of fluid to the brain which caused it to swell. this problem was discovered by visiting my ophthalmologist. try an eye exam.
also tmj could be a factor. my mom has that and it causes bad headaches in the temples and painful or stiff jaws.
good luck!

Answer 6

I would recommend trying an orthopedic surgeon next because of the fact that you mentioned that they checked her neck. If there is something going on with her neck it could have been missed during the MRI.

Also, other kinds of hormone imbalances can have headache be a symptom so a consultation with an endocrinologist (drs who treat diseases and disorders of the endocrine system which has to do with hormones) could be helpful in trying to figure out what is going on.

Answer 7

There is no medicine for H/A OR MIGRAINE. Not only these but for almost all painful diseases. Hence they become chronic.
Acidity, excessive wind, cold , heat, sour food and sinusitis, constipation, intestinal inflammation;
Blockage in the flow of Vital Energy are their causes. None of them can be treated with medicine. Our 100% success in treating migraine &H/A confirms it.
Acupuncture is the best treatment. I can treat it with naturopathy and YOG, but how can you manage pl see.
Avoid late sleeping if possible;spicy, sour, stale bakery foods and alcohole.
Sweet foods, sweet fruits, milk, rice and good sleep will help you.
But you try one herbal remedy- two drops of drumstick leaves' juice in opposite nostril if one side pains and both nostrils if full H/A will give you rescue. Betel leaf helps but it isvery strong.
If it is acute pl search a painful point 3-6 mm behind your thumb nail and press it, H/A will disappear within 30 seconds.

Source(s):
SHREE SWASTHYAYOG TREATMENT, TRAINING & RESEARCH INSTITUTE
R.H. – 19, Jhulelal Society, Sector – 2/E, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, INDIA.

Answer 8

I would like to suggest allergies. Often times when someone is coming into contact with something one is allergic to one will get a headache. When I get anywhere near someone wearing Avon perfume it feels like someone has just smashed my forehead in with a baseball bat. It could be perfume, shampoo or other hair product, laundry soap or product, scented candle or other air freshener, manure or fertilizer/weed killer on lawns, dust mites, mildew, mold, house plants, and the list goes on. Have her see an allergist. It is most likely something that she is breathing in.

Answer 9

What is her diet like? Really? Over-processed, hydrogenated oils and not even water can cause all sorts of symtoms in the body!
Many of our foods have the natural digestive enzymes process right out causing digestive issues, which lead to other symtoms as well!
A natural path could consult and be able to guide your daughter.
Great! Cheryl Frei
~Live the life you soul was meant to live!~

Answer 10

i used to have the same thing. headaches all the time at least five times daily and went thru all the tests and everything was ok. i would suggest a chiropractor. this has helped me alot. it was b/c of tight neck muscles. i never even thought of this b/c sometimes my neck wouldnt hurt id just get headaches. but i would def. have her at least try the chiropractor!! good luck