Anyone have chronic daily headaches?

[torinsmom]

I have had daily headaches for almost 20 years now. I have been to so many doctors, but it is really hard to get anyone to believe me, much less help. I have tried various migraine medicines, but none of them helped, or they had so many side effects that I couldn't deal with it. I take so much OTC medicine every day(Ibuprofen) every day and I know that is part of the problem, but the doctors tell me to stop taking it without telling me anything to do instead. So, I guess I am supposed to stop my life for 2-4 weeks until I get off the meds. And then what happens after that when I have a headache? I can never take ibuprofen again?

Anyone else deal with this? Anyone conquered it? I am getting depressed from having a headache all the time and worrying about the effects the meds could have on my body.

Marsha

 

[Green Tea]

I don't but I know someone who does. One day, just out of the blue she developed a blinding headache. It has lasted for nearly 6 years now. She has every sort of MRI, dye contrast, a month of inpatient hospitalization, various medication therapies, but has never used narcotic pain relievers by her choice. On the pain scale of 1-10 she is a 7 every day. During medication adjustments it bumps up higher on the scale, but has never dipped lower.

She was dx at Mayo Clinic with Daily Persistent Headache syndrome. It can disappear as mysteriously as it appeared, or last the rest of her life. I think she is on epilepsy medication that works to keep her at the 7. She takes various things. Was followed at the MI pain center (or headache ctr?) and currently sees someone in Philly who trained with the Mayo doctor, I think.

The hope is that it will disappear. The goal is to manage life with the pain. Good luck to you.

 

[CathrynRose]

I have them and have for probably about as long as you. It's more of a surprise when I -don't- have a headache. Ever have one of those days and think "Gee, I didn't have to take anything!" and then a few hours later you get one - but initially it's a surprise?

I also take daily Ibuprofen. I used to take Esgic (ever tried that?) It (used to) work *so* well, so amazingly well, and it literally just over night *POOF* stopped working. That was a huge disappointment.

For, I'd say the past 10 years, I have a prescription for Vicoprofen. I only take those 'as needed' (same as the Esgic) but I also take daily Ibuprofen - occasionally mixing it up with maybe an Exedrin, or an Aleve, instead.

It sucks. I'm right there with you.

 

[OK!]

I used to, for years, and then they stopped. Unfortunately, they started up again when I started at my current job. I'm highly allergic to mold and get awful headaches from it, so I'm thinking that's probably the cause in this case, that there must be mold somewhere in the office. I don't often get headaches on the weekends, so this seems to be the most likely explanation.

 

[kacaju]

yes, I get them all the time. I take Maxalt just about daily and that is about the only thing I know will get rid of my headaches. Sometimes Tylenol or excedrin works, but I have to take them the second my head hurts (or before)

 

[LuvOrlando]

-

 

[hemispheredancer]

I get them a few times a week. Over 4th of July weekend I had one for 3 days. At the onset I take Excedrin Migraine. If that doesn't work in 1 hour I will take Relpax (rx). If that still doesn't nip it I take a Vicodin. Usually that will do the trick. I have been on various preventative meds and found Topamax to be the most effective. I tapered off that because of the loopy side effects! Today is a good day. I do notice I tend to get one if there is rain coming. Other times I wake up with them. Some days they come with no reason! I am familiar with Dr. Saper at the MI Head Pain clinic in Ann Arbor.

 

[OK!]

Forgot to add-- the best thing for my headaches that I've found is Advil or Aleve Liqui-gels, I guess because they dissolve faster. If it's a headache that I'm almost certain is from allergies, I pop an Allegra too, but sometimes it's hard to pin it down. I'm actually considering going back on allergy shots because they've been so awful this year. When I was in grade school (like 5th and 6th grade), I'd routinely miss several days of school every spring and fall for no reason other than blinding headaches; they were so bad that heavy-duty stuff like Darvocet wouldn't even touch the pain. It was hellish.

 

[CathrynRose]

.

OT -I'm sorry...

I haven't seen you in so long, but remember your cat picture. I'm sorry to see his RIP.

I love cats, so I always smiled when I saw his picture - total cutey.

Sorry - carry on........

 

[JessicaR]

First how much advil a day and for how long? It effects everyone differently. I took Advil for way too many years at a dosage of 2400 Mg's a day. Not for headaches but spine issues. Prior to my spine surgery my internist sent me to a rheumatologist because he didn't like my Advil intake.

The rheumatologist took me off Advil completely and ran tests on my kidneys and liver as well as other blood tests. Apparently no immediate damage done. He was most concerned about my kidneys and my family history.

I'm sorry you are having a hard time with doctors. Why in the world don't they believe your headaches? I suffer with migraines that I think are hormone related. Have you spoken to your gyno about them? Have you had a scan of your head? Has anyone ruled anything out?

Maybe you could get an eval from a neurologist who specializes in headaches. Also check your hospitals for migraine clinics and studies.

I hope you get some needed help.

 

[stsomewhere]

find that regular trips to the chiroprator help me a lot.

 

[ozarkmom]

Yes I do. Most of the time I manage with 2 or 3 ibuprofen. I know it can't be good to take that everyday but I do. I sometimes take excedrine migraine. I've been to doctors since I was a teenager. A couple of times a year I have a full blown blinding, vomiting miserable headache. The last one was about 6 months ago and it was the first time I was in so much pain that I actually had my daughter take me to the e.r. My doctor has since priscribed maxalt and I use it when the ibuprofen doesn't help.

 

[missypie]

We had a "lunch & learn" at work about 10 days ago - the speaker was a neurologist who specializes in headaches. It was a bit depressing because he said most of the drugs don't work.

He did inspire me to try to break my addiction to Exedrin Migraine. Haven't had one since. I have a daily dull headache, but nothing too terrible.

I also avoid red wine these days because last fall after I had some, I had an almost instant, blinding headache.

My problem is that once I get a serious headache, it lasts 4 days. No matter what I take or what I do, it lasts four days.

 

[SnowWtch]

I've had daily headaches for years. Been through all kinds of meds and tests and no one knows why I have them. What I find works pretty good is Tylenol Tension Headache. Advil or Aleve don't help at all with them. Also, remember to drink a lot of water. That sometimes can have an impact on them.

 

[fimac]

Sorry for your pain.

i used to have this problem and found out by accident the cause of mine was gluten. They can also be caused by dairy. When one of my sons was being tested for celiac I mentioned this to the doc. He nodded and then when on to listed other symptoms that are caused by gluten.

I would start looking for the cause be it an enviromental allergy or a food intolerance/allergy. Is there times when it is better ?

Good luck with finding an answer.

 

[DizBelle]

I only suffer from occasional headaches but I certainly do feel for you. I would bet that over the years you've tried many things on your own and on the suggestion of a doctor but I thought I'd list some things that may help.

I think that headaches can be due to many, many things. Do you suffer from allergies? Do you find that when you travel to an area with a different climate that your headaches are gone or different? If so, you might consider going to an allergist or at least starting with a daily antihistamine like claritin or zyrtec and seeing if that makes a difference.

One of the worst and longest lasting headaches I had ended up being due to allergies and sinus congestion. I could breath through my nose fine so I had no idea there was a problem there. Have you tried taking a nasal decongestant (pseudoephedrine) or a nasal spray (much quicker acting and more effective in my opinion) to see if that makes a difference?

Is there something that is a regular part of your diet? Would you consider cutting it out of your diet completely for a couple of weeks to see if there are any changes? Again, this could be an allergy thing and a visit to an allergist may provide some answers.

Do you drink enough water? Have you tried increasing your water intake for a few days to see if you notice any changes?

Is stress a big part of your life? Is there anything you can do to reduce it? Have you tried yoga or other meditation techniques?

Have you had your eyes checked? Do you wear glasses or contacts? Are they the proper strength and fit? If you haven't been to an eye doctor it seems like it is something worth checking.

I also suggest going to a chiropractor. Some people think it is hooey and some people swear by it. I, personally, go to a chiropractor every week. If I suffered from daily, consistent headaches, I would consider the $30/visit an investment well worth it to see if it provides any relief. Going to a chiropractor won't cause any harm and it may give you some relief.

I'm not sure if anything I suggested is recommended for long term management or relief but if you find that your headaches go away or are different as a result of trying any of them, it would help narrow down the cause and get you to the right specialist that can help develop a long term management plan.

 

[torinsmom]

Wow! It seems I am not alone in this!

Ever have one of those days and think "Gee, I didn't have to take anything!" and then a few hours later you get one - but initially it's a surprise?

Yes, I have had some of those, though not lately. It is nice not to wake up to one.

I also take daily Ibuprofen. I used to take Esgic (ever tried that?) It (used to) work *so* well, so amazingly well, and it literally just over night *POOF* stopped working. That was a huge disappointment.

Never tried it, but I will ask my dr. about it. She is okay giving me new drugs to try but wants to send me to another neurologist. They have never been able to help me and the co-pay is ridiculous.

I'm highly allergic to mold and get awful headaches from it, so I'm thinking that's probably the cause in this case, that there must be mold somewhere in the office. I don't often get headaches on the weekends, so this seems to be the most likely explanation.

Okay, I am allergic to cats. Just found that out a few months ago and I have FOUR! I am wondering if I should ask about allergy shots? I am not getting rid of the cats; they have me on claritin and flonase, as well as using air purifiers. COuld this type of allergy cause headaches? When I was on vacation I had about 1/2 the number of headaches.

I would suggest you try to cut yourself off from any stimulation for a while and see if it helps. Yes, I know it's a needle in a haystack but there is no other way.

What kind of stimulation are you referring to? If you mean stress, that's hard to do. I am off work for the summer and the headaches are the same. They were actually less when we were in Orlando and we were always on the move.

First how much advil a day and for how long? It effects everyone differently.

I take 1000 mg 3-4 times a day. I know it's a lot, but that's what it takes. The doctor always checks my liver and kidney levels and I haven't had any problems. My stomach sometimes gets upset, but no major problems.

I'm sorry you are having a hard time with doctors. Why in the world don't they believe your headaches? I suffer with migraines that I think are hormone related. Have you spoken to your gyno about them? Have you had a scan of your head? Has anyone ruled anything out?

My PA does my gyno exams. Would she be able to check those hormones or would I have to go to a regular gyno? I have often wondered if the headaches are related to hormones--either female or thyroid.

As far as an MRI, I have had many. I actually had a malformation called a Chiari Malformation, which was corrected in 2003. I had headaches for 13 years before that and have had them since as well. Evidently the two things were not related, although the surgeon was hopeful they would improve.

Maybe you could get an eval from a neurologist who specializes in headaches. Also check your hospitals for migraine clinics and studies.


I hope you get some needed help.

Thanks, I have been looking for a good neuro. They seem to be few and far between.

find that regular trips to the chiroprator help me a lot.

Can't use a chiropractor due to the Chiari Malformation, which could recur

 

[Doe]

My 17 year old daughter started suffering from daily headaches/migraines when she was 16. After ruling out anything serious her dr. put her on propranolol and after a couple days they went away. She has to take it daily or the headaches will come back but it has been a lifesaver.

 

[Avalon_toon]

I had a headache that lasted for about 7 months a few years ago - went for all sorts of neurological tests, etc. Nothing. So Dr. said stop taking all meds, that pain med addiction and withdrawal can lead to chronic headaches. She also recommended I go to a massage therapist. So I quit the meds - it made me really nervous to do so - made an appointment with a massage therapist for a daily treatment for a week, and after the single week, the headache was gone. So at least based on my experience, I do think stopping your pain meds might be a good idea - at least to try - and see if a week of doing without them makes a difference.

Now when I get a headache that lasts more than a week, I go back to the massage therapist 2-3 times a week for a few weeks, and that helps.

And, I do take otc pain relievers still for headache, but only for 2-3 days in a row, then if the headache persists, I stop the meds. I don't want to get sucked back into the trap of never-ending pain meds and chronic withdrawal headaches.

 

[dismom2]

I'm sorry about your headaches. I used to get them daily, too. Now, less often.

I know some of my triggers, but not all.

Also, do not rule out dental problems. You may have problems you are not even aware of. My headaches were reduced significantly after having some major dental work done. After many doctor visits, including working with a couple Neurologists, ENT, allergist, eye doctor, none of them suggested a dentist. A friend told me her story, and how seeing a dentist helped with her headaches, so I went, and what a difference. I tried to rule out everything (hense the different types of doctors I saw), which is what I would recommend to other's, but do see a dentist--you never know. It can get expensive, but it's so worth it. Good luck.