Headache Relief

[Gumballs]

Have you and your physician discussed the possibility of hypertension?

You could also speak to your physician regarding the prophylactic use of propranolol or Adalat XL - common in migraine patients. Myself, I would recommend Adalat over propranolol.

 

[Weird Harold]

The results of the MRI came back negative except for mild thickening of the sinus. I'm supposed to call the doc and let him know if I want to go ahead with the lumbar puncture tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. I'm not scared of having the procedure done, but I wonder if there is any real chance of finding out what is causing my headache.

As someone who suffers from both sinus headaches and the occasional migraine, I think the MRI may have found the problem in the thickening of the sinus, but...

Go with the LP test anyway -- let the neurologist eliminate every possible neurological cause, and then discuss a referal to a "pain specialist" or a specialist in sinus problems. with him.

I have a bit of difficulty distinguishing a sinus headache from a migraine even with years of experience in dealing with them. It's even more difficult to distinguish the difference from someone else's description of the symptoms.

 

[SesameStreet]

I would have the LP. They are relatively safe. And I agree with the other poster who said that you really HAVE to find out what is the cause of these headaches. As it is from what you have said you cannot live normally with the headaches on all the meds either. Have they ruled out any pinched nerves in the spine?

GOOD LUCK!

 

[marge_w]

ouchie

I have suffered for years with migraine's and sinus headaches and sympathise totally with what you are feeling.

As all the tests seem to be coming back negative or of insufficient severity to explain the pain you are suffering I would consider the possiblity that it is a type of stress related chronic headache or have an environmental cause.

Although it came on suddenly the accumulated stress in the pelvis, back, shoulders and neck through poor posture, injury or general wear and tear can lead to sudden onset severe headaches and can be helped by osteopathy to realign your muscles.

In your position I would see if anyone I knew could recommend an osteopath and at least telephone them to discuss your symptoms and see if they feel they can help you.

Other than that is it possible that there is an environmental cause? One of the symptoms of moderate carbon monoxide poisoning is severe headaches and I am sure that the same is true of many other substances.

Hope this helps,

Marge

 

[Noor]

I was on amitriptyline (Elavil) 30 mg at night for about 9 yrs. I used it to help me sleep after breaking my neck, it works great for that.

At about 6 yrs I woke up dizzy, and it took 6 weeks of tests to determine I had abnormal eye movement due to over absorption of the drug. That happened because I started to take Zocor and amitriptyline at together at the same time and they are both absorbed in the liver.

At 9yr I started to get serious dental problems and eye dryness, which was traced to dry mouth, which turned out to be from the amitriptyline, it was actually turning off my saliva glands and tear ducts. I went off amitriptyline, and how to use the evil magic mouth wash until everything started working again. It did a really number on my mucus membranes, I was getting strange minor infections and headaches.

I avoided a lumbar puncture when I was getting all the tests. There are very few things I would have one done for. They are invasive and extremely painful.

The reason for my dizziness was discovered by my EMT. The drug mouth stuff was discover by an TMD/TMJ doctor I was sent to by my dentist because I also was grinding my teeth.

Anyhow off the drug no dizziness, no headaches.

I don't remember if you said but have you seen a TMD/TMJ doctor? My seeing one made an enormous difference. That is a jaw doctor.

 

[Snowman5933]

Update

I went back to the Neurologist on August 1, 2006. I had a couple really good days and a couple really bad days since my last appointment. We mutually decided to postpone the lumbar puncture.

He made additional medication adjustments:

Amitryptoline 30mg - 3 x daily
Indomiacin 50mg - 1 x daily
Inderal 40mg - 3 x daily
Phenergan 25mg - 3 x daily
and DHE 1ml subq injection 2 x daily, for 5 days (10 doses).

The DHE was added at my request and I give myself the injections. I have not had a headache since I awoke Wednesday, August 2, 2006. I don't even feel the pressure I was noticing around my temples. I am trying really hard to be optimistic and believe the worst is over with, but a big part of me thinks once the DHE wears off the pain will return. I've been off work for almost 2 weeks. I go back to the doctor this Tuesday and I am hoping to return to work on Wednesday.

Thanks again everyone.

Snowman

P.S. Maybe I won the Powerball tonight and I won't have to go back to work...LOL

 

[SesameStreet]

Thanks for the update. Glad you are doing some better.

 

[Snowman5933]

I goto the doc at 2:00 p.m. and still no headache. Thanks.

Snowman

P.S. The doc released me back to work, full duty, no restrictions. He d/c'd the indomiacin and reduced the phenergan to HS (bedtime). I'll still be taking Inderal 40mg TID (3 times daily), and Amitrypoline 30mg TID. He also gave me a script for DHE (the medication I took 10 injections of) to use as a rescue medicine in case the headache comes back. I go back in one month. I'm excited about getting back to work (do you have any idea how boring it is to set at home all the time, so sedated that you can't drive your car). Thanks to everyone that read and replied to my post.

 

[SesameStreet]

I know how boring it is to be confined to bed recovering from major surgery and it is AWFUL! Good Luck today!