Please Cross Your Fingers

[Heksubah]

Everybody, please cross your fingers for me.

I've been experiencing headaches of a level of pain that is way off the charts for two weeks now. I suppose I should remove the plural since it's been one never-ending headache. Originally I had a doctor's appointment, just a general checkup, scheduled for February 7th. Because of the pain I was in I got into one of those Walgreen's clinics (they rock!) and managed to baffle a nurse practitioner with my symptoms. I don't fit migraine patterns and it doesn't quite sound like a cluster headache. She gave me a prescription for pain meds to last me until my doctor's appointment and sent me on my way.

At first I could take one pill in the morning and one in the afternoon and it would work. By yesterday I was taking two every four hours (max allowed) and taking aspirin on top (also allowed) and was still in agony and the increased need for the pills meant my tiny presciption was about to run out. I bumped my doctor's appointment. The whole thing has me scared because of the severity so cross your fingers for me guys! I need it!

*whimpers and pops her morning pills and heads off to work*

[stormtreader]

Fingers and everything else crossed.
I hope they can fix it for you ASAP

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Ruh roh. Sounds more serious than your average garden-variety headache.

Hope everything turns out good for you.

[The Gatekeeper]

I get some weird headaches sometimes too. I've since found out that it's ususally something that is caused by something muscular in my neck. I've had huge relief from a combination of Chiropractic and Massage Therapy.

I'm not one to take a lot of medication. In fact I hate taking pills, but have to for certain chronic conditions. So, whenever I can I try to find a natural solution first.
Good luck.

[BlaqueKatt]

In fact, overusing painkillers can perpetuate headaches, making them return as soon as the medication wears off. And when that pain comes back, the natural response is to take more painkillers -- maybe the worst thing you could do.

Go here now!!!!! (http://www.webmd.com/content/article/60/67088.htm)

it's a web MD article about headaches and why you shouldn't be taking painkillers constantly-they can CAUSE YOUR HEADACHE TO GET WORSE!!!!


BlaqueKatt-Migraine queen

[Heksubah]

Le sigh. He basically reiterated the nurse's inability to pinpoint anything, made no referrals, and gave me some barbiturates to take to help the pain and said to come back in 2-3 weeks (though the pills are for only 4 days).

[Heksubah]

Well, as the barbiturates have done nothing but make me sleepy and my head pain has steadily grown, the doctor has decided to have me get a cat scan tomorrow and see a neurologist on Friday. *crosses her fingers some more*

[Kiwi]

*crosses her fingers, and toes and arms and legs and everything possible

good luck, dont stop fighting until they find out what it is...

[protege]

*crosses fingers*

BTW, caffeine works wonders at lessening headaches. I tend to live on Mountain Dew when the weather changes.

[Der Cute]

Hek:

Do you have a CRT or LCD computer screen?

Make sure the refresh rate is over 60 hz. That helps w/ my head.

Also: change lights in your house? Flourescent lites are 60 hz and can really screw up my eyes. Might want to check that also.

Have you changed foods lately?

I think if you keep a food & activity diary broken into 1/2 hour chunks for the next week, this might help your doctor a bit. GO ORGANIC TOO.

My drs always nagged me to keep a diary and that would help pinpoint my seizures and triggers. It did.

I also had problems w/ migraines (more recent) andfound out it's glare off screens to my eyes. thats what hurts & triggers it.

So..just some ideas.

Start that diary.

Cutenoob

[Myra]

I'll be thinking of you!! I have a friend who gets the cluster headaches and he's basically useless until they wear off. NOTHING helps him except dark, strong painkillers, and sleep.

Keep us updated if they find anything!!!

[Heksubah]

The cat scan was clear.

I leave to see the neurologist in 45 minutes. Hopefully he can figure out something.

[Heksubah]

After declaring my headaches odd and featureless (no signs of any specific headache, my head just hurts... bad!) the doctor decided I have migraines and put me on Topamax. It is a preventative and does not help the pain. *pulls out an elephant rifle and goes hunting after the herd in her brain*

[wagegoth]

That's horrible! I have Imitrex and muscle relaxants for my migraines, which are mostly caused by old neck injuries. My migraines occur on both sides of my head at the same time, which isn't the usual, but the Imitrex usually works.