Headache Advice

[j&t'sdad]

Went to my doctor yesterday because I've been noticing myself having more frequent headaches lately. As long as I can remember, I've gotten them. They're not usually bad, but frequent. Never thought much of it (even though I admit to being a hypochondriac) as my mother has suffered with them all her life, and I know they can be hereditary.

Anyway, I went and he did some quick checks. Checked into both my eyes, had me breathe deep, had me walk in a straight line, tested my reflexes, etc. Says, neuologically, everything is fine. Said it could be from a number of things, but said it didn't seem like much to worry about. I asked him if I should have a cat-scan and he said it wasn't necessary. I'm still a bit worried though.

They're not constant, but around enough to concern me. I tend to feel some pressure in the lower back of my head when I laugh, sneeze, and sometimes just bend over. Forget what he called it, but there's a nerve back there than bothers some people.

I've been seeing my doctor for about 7 years and I trust him. Regardless, still worried. Should I see someone else, or just accept that I'm being overly paranoid?

 

[GoodFairies]

Do you take too much OTC medicine?

 

[j&t'sdad]

No, I wouldn't say I do. I find myself taking tylenol for my headaches one time per day, maybe 3 days a week. It's more than I'd like to have to take, but I don't think it's a lot.

 

[just4today]

There may be many things contributing: diet, stress, eye strain

 

[j&t'sdad]

There may be many things contributing: diet, stress, eye strain

I'm sure there are. At work, I sit in an uncomfortable chair for 8 hours per day, in front of a computer. I get stressed pretty easy. We have a 57" TV in our bedroom that's about 4 feet away from our bed. I'm sure that doesn't help.

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

This may sound random but I find that when I have a headache and i'm at home an ice pack on my head does wonder. It seriously makes my headache go away after a bit. I don't like taking drugs but headaches kick my butt so I love my ice packs! And there's just something about ice packs that leave me feeling refreshed... XD
Do you drink caffeine at all?

Seriously, I think it's the computer. My mom and I get major headaches after looking at a computer screen for too long.

 

[just4today]

I'm sure there are. At work, I sit in an uncomfortable chair for 8 hours per day, in front of a computer. I get stressed pretty easy. We have a 57" TV in our bedroom that's about 4 feet away from our bed. I'm sure that doesn't help.

I always get a headache from sitting at the computer too long. Make sure you take frequent breaks.

 

[wildfan1473]

You might want to try keeping a journal for a couple of weeks - what you eat, what activities you're doing, and when you get your headaches and what they are like. You might find a pattern, maybe from a certain type of food or situation. Then, take that to your doctor, and if you still are unsure, get a second opinion.

For me, it has taken over 10 years to figure out that my problem was not my head, but rather, my back. I've been taking migraine pills for years, sometimes several a week. We've finally figured out it was the muscles in my upper back causing tension and cluster headaches. The pills would work, since they would relax the muscles, in turn getting rid of the headache. Since I started doing yoga about 6 months ago, they have almost completely disappeared.

 

[GoodFairies]

I would quit taking the Tylenol altogether for awhile.

Do neck and back stretches several times a day.

Hot or warm compresses on the forehead, whichever feels better to you.

Try some anti-eyestrain exercises.


If they are simply frequent headaches with no underlying cause, all of the above should ease them.

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

You might want to try keeping a journal for a couple of weeks - what you eat, what activities you're doing, and when you get your headaches and what they are like. You might find a pattern, maybe from a certain type of food or situation. Then, take that to your doctor, and if you still are unsure, get a second opinion.

For me, it has taken over 10 years to figure out that my problem was not my head, but rather, my back. I've been taking migraine pills for years, sometimes several a week. We've finally figured out it was the muscles in my upper back causing tension and cluster headaches. The pills would work, since they would relax the muscles, in turn getting rid of the headache. Since I started doing yoga about 6 months ago, they have almost completely disappeared.

This is really good advice. I don't get headaches since I started going to the chiropractor

 

[livie1205]

no advice cause I am no doctor just wanted to ....I have had migraines for years.Last year I started seeing a nero doc and he put me on a few things and my life is soooo much better!I had started to get a migraine every single day and I was just getting so worn out with it but now it is much better.

 

[LadyyRedd]

Wisdom teeth can also cause headaches. We believe that is what is causing my constant, frequent ones. I have an appt with the dental surgeon to discuss having them removed.

Kimya

 

[anniemae]

Could it be allergies?? I have noticed I get headaches when the seasons change. They seem to be sinus-type headaches and there is always something in the air, ragweed, pollen, goldenrod etc. I have heard you can develop allergies at any age.

 

[torinsmom]

I would insist on an MRI. I had daily headaches from the time I was around 19. The dr. went through all the neurologic tests and said it couldn't be anything major. They sent me from dr. to dr. and even tried to send me to a psychiatrist. I finally stopped trying and just took ibuprofen and kept going. Then when I was 32, I started having some numbness in one hand and the headache pain was more in the back of my head. After insisting, I got an MRI and discovered I had a congenital malformation in my brain that was compressing my brain stem and keeping my spinal fluid from flowing properly. I had to have surgery. They were able to fix the physical problem, so that I was not in danger of really bad complications, but because noone thought I should have an MRI for 15 years, there was nerve damage that means I still have daily headaches.

Anyway, I am sure this is not your problem, and I don't mean to scare you. It's just that not everything shows up in a neurological examination, especially by your primary physician. I would at least see a neurologist, if you are having very frequent headaches. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Oh and I know someone said stop taking the headache meds. Unless you have had daily headaches, you can't imagine how hard that is to do. If I want to function, I have to take the meds.

Marsha

 

[j&t'sdad]

Could it be allergies?? I have noticed I get headaches when the seasons change. They seem to be sinus-type headaches and there is always something in the air, ragweed, pollen, goldenrod etc. I have heard you can develop allergies at any age.

That's a possibility too. I do suffer from allergies. I've noticed it a little bit recently, but not the usual itchy eyes, runny nose type.

 

[torinsmom]

On a lighter note than my previous post, did your dr. check your sinuses? I tend to feel the pressure in the back of my head when I have a sinus infection.

Marsha

 

[Feralpeg]

You may be suffering from rebound headaches. It is kind of a vicious cycle. You have a headache, so you take Tylenol. After awhile, taking the Tylenol can cause a rebound headache. Try staying away from the headache medications for awhile, if possible. If you are uncomfortable with the results your doctor gave you, see someone else. Always go with your gut feeling. It's your body.

 

[Brianne]

It could any of the things the PPs mentioned. I think the idea of journaling is a good one!

Some foods can cause headaches for me, as well as weather changes and other...issues that you don't have to deal with, being male and all.

Tylenol doesn't work the greatest for me but it's ok. I'd found in the past that Excedrin worked the best; there's a lot of talk about caffeine actually helps with migraines, which Excedrin has. Caffeine's not on my allowed list now due to other medications, but the Excedrin definitely worked well.

 

[Disneylover79]

So I too suffer from daily headaches... I started having them in January and decided to see my Primary doctor and she sent me to see a Neurologist. The pain I am having is at the base of my skull, it is sort of a dull ache all of the time with more sharper pain that goes over my head and kind of behind my eye. I was told I have occipital neuralgia. It is due to my muscles in my neck and shoulders from becoming tense and pinching the occipital nerve and causing the pain. My neurologist said that many doctors would just say you are are having a migraine but that is not what it is. I literally (until recently) have a headache 24/7. I have just recently found the combination of medications that get rid of the pain. I wish you luck and as a PP said if you are not happy with the diagnosis then seek another doctor.

 

[Michelle67]

I get very frequent, and occasionally debilitating, headaches as well. You have my sympathy.

I wonder, when you are at the computer, does your mouse arm tend to dangle? The kind of headache you are describing is one I often get, and which is often associated with neck/shoulder misalignment. Arm dangling is a big culprit, and so is watching television in bed with your head tilted forward. When I watch in bed, I try to lay curled on my side with one pillow only, and my pillow and upper body rotated toward the television to see it (does that make sense?) It could also be eye strain I suppose, and you can get filter screens that snap onto or sit in front of your monitor and help with that (my sister has one, and she says it helps a lot) but those are usually frontal headaches more than back/base of the skull ones.