Topic: How is it possible to have a headache everyday?
feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
I have a headache everyday. It started when I began treatment 17 months ago. There may have been a few days when I did not have a headache but I could count them on two hands.
Some days are totally disabling headaches 11's on a 1-10 scale. They seem to be increasing (the intense pain headaches). Nothing touches them.
Darvocet, Vicodon, ibuprophen, excedrine migraine, etc. The only thing that helps a little is klonopin and a hot rice sock tied around my head.
These are so debilitating that I cannot function. A lot of my tingling, muscle and joint pain has long resolved.
I am on levaquin now and things seem to be worsening. I am one week into 1/2 tab levaquin.
Anyone get rid of these head bangers? Are they the last to go because of poor BB penetration?
I'm ready for anything to make these go away.
Feelfit
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
I have had head pressure/like a brain swelling feeling EVERYDAY for 2 years... they are debilitating and also cause other weird neurop symptoms... No one really can explain it to me but it must have something to do with inflammation.
I know what your going through... I wish I had a soulution, because I can not live and function with this either.
-------------------- "You'll be surprised to know how far you can go from the point you thought it was the end" Posts: 946 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Apr 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
My sons have pseudo-tumor cerebri (increased intracranial pressure).
They have had a headache every second of the day for the past 10 years. Their headaches were in the 9-10 range on a 1-10 scale. Both had shunts put in last year. The shunts (LP, VP) have reduced their headaches some.
On a good day, son #1's headache is an 8. Son #2's headache is a 6 on a good day.
Tramadol reduces their headaches somewhat. We haven't found anything to completely take away their headaches.
-------------------- Peggy
~ ~ Hope is a powerful medicine. ~ ~ Posts: 2775 | From MN | Registered: Apr 2001
| IP: Logged |
feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
Oh My Gosh it is awful. Pab I feel so bad for your sons. (((Shandy))) I know that you are going through hell too.
Is tramadol a pain med or seizure med?
Are your sons still being treated for TBI's? Have doctors offered any hope? I don't think I have pseudo-tumor cerebri...wouldn't that show on a MRI?
Feelfit
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Are you taking pain medication everyday? I was taking Advil 2-3 times a day when the minocycline started giving me headaches and after a few months of that they turned into migraines. I seriously thought I was dying. They're called rebound headaches.
I stopped the Advil and after a week of hell, the headaches became less frequent. I still get maybe 1-2 a week (I think those are neck related) but they are nothing like before. Try to cut out all pain meds if you can.
Hope this helps.
brooke
Posts: 117 | From PA | Registered: Aug 2008
| IP: Logged |
feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
Thanks Brooke,
I don't take any pain meds. Nothing works anyways so I don't bother. I do take .50 klonopin and a 1/2 tab levaquin. That is it.
Feelfit
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
| IP: Logged |
mojo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9309
posted
I'm sorry your headaches are so bad!
I've been getting headaches everyday since I've been off ABX - somedays they are intolerable. I tried Tramadol and that helps but the side effects make other pain worse so I stopped taking it.
I tried OTC stuff but nothing seems to work - so like you I don't take anything. I may try your rice sock thing, though.
I hope you feel better soon.
Posts: 1761 | From USA | Registered: May 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Imitrex works for me. The generic Imitrex just came out. It sucked. I know have Treximet which is the new Imitrex. Haven't tried it yet but since I am so happy with Imitrex, I've got high expectations.
-------------------- Dying is easy. Living is harder. Posts: 257 | From owensboro kentucky | Registered: Mar 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
i've told this several times now but my hubby has had head and eye pain now for over 7 yrs...just 2 1/2 yre ago got a pos for lyme...he has had every med and every test mri cat spinal you name it he has had it done to him....no pain med takes the pain away only helps alittle...we have been to two headach clinics and nothing helps...so i understand what you are going through...some days he can't lift his head...and pain levels are as he says 15....so hang in and hopefully things will turn around soon....we can always hope can't we!!!!
-------------------- madgen Posts: 342 | From newjersey | Registered: Oct 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
My daughter's lyme specialist said the headaches are the last symptom to go. She suffers from them everyday, too, along with light sensitivity. Hope you get some relief soon.
Posts: 51 | From Connecticut | Registered: Sep 2008
| IP: Logged |
feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
Aw Guys,
This is just bad. Madge, your husband is one brave soldier to endure that pain for 7 years.
Mojo, the rice sock feels good because the heat makes you feel something different than the pain...kind of diverts it for awhile.
Abigail, so glad that you found something that works. Migraine meds are given isn small quantities no? My headache is everyday.
Lisa, I have the light sensitivity too, can't stand the movement on the TV screen etc. bumps in the road make riding in a car painful. I hope that your daughters doctor is right in that at least at some point they will disappear. I hope that your daughter experiences a clearing sooner than later.
Best to all of you, Feelfit
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
FYI headaches are caused from the blood vessels dilating (enlarging), which causes pain signals to be sent out.
You should go with a cold compress rather than a hot one. A hot compress will just encourage the dilation, while a cold compress will help constrict the blood vessels and decrease the pain signals.
Just a little thought!
Oh and also I have headaches everyday too and found that taking 1 mg klonopin every night and an optional .25 klonopin in the morning keeps them away. I had a headache every day for 3 months and after I started this regimen I haven't had one in 2 weeks. It's my godsend. You may thing of increasing your klonopin dose from .5 to 1 mg. And make sure to take it every day, it needs to stay steady in your system.
Good luck!
Posts: 34 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Mar 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
I had such daily headaches for many years. What made a world of difference was reducing my dietary vitamin D (under 40 IU per day) and avoiding light exposure. I suspect this solution is particularly effective for those who feel they also have light sensitivity.
Posts: 727 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
My daughter has been suffering from severe headaches for about 3 years now. Somedays she rates the pain a 30+ on a 1-10 pain scale. She spends most days laying flat on her back w/ a heat pad wrapped around her head. We've tried many pain meds, currently on Methadone, Fentanyl patches and more...nothing works
So sorry to hear others are dealing with this too.
Posts: 371 | From CT | Registered: Jun 2008
| IP: Logged |
cottonbrain
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13769
posted
feel, i can relate. headaches are my worst symptom, and when i first became ill there was no such thing as Imitrex; it was one hundred percent hell.
for an accute attack, have you tried Imitrex? it was mentioned above -- it can really help.
things that have helped me with prevention, in order of effectiveness:
-plentiful detoxing (chlorella 3 times a day)
-dark glasses during tv watching and outdoors
- elilminate cell phone use
- NO transfats; limit sugars; no artificial food ingredients
- low dose benicar
- coq10 100 mg 4x day
- reduce noise
- reduce chemical exposures
these have all reduced the frequency of attacks, but they are no cure. the main thing is to reduce inflammation any way you can.
other thougts:
-control yeast -check thyroid -support adrenals -hormonal support -check food allergies - get plenty of sleep
Posts: 1173 | From USA | Registered: Nov 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Ice packs!!! This is the only thing that makes the headaches stop. I do take pain meds but when they don't work, I add ice. It helps keep them at bay for an hour or two.
Mine are electric shock-like. Rarely are they constant pain (more than 15 minutes) but they are constant shocking, electric pain.
Posts: 41 | From SC | Registered: Jan 2009
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Momfromtexas: Anyone with lyme and a constant headache should check that they don't have what Pab's sons have, increased intracranial pressure.
It is common with lyme. If you do have it there are way to try and reduce the pressure that can be successful and would be a good idea so it does not cause damage.
~ ~ Hope is a powerful medicine. ~ ~ Posts: 2775 | From MN | Registered: Apr 2001
| IP: Logged |
disturbedme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12346
posted
I don't know how it's possible...
But when I was in high school (I was bit when I was around 14 years old), I had a headache every single day of my high school career. They were very bad and I'd even have sharp stabbing sensations in my temple and all over my head that felt like someone was stabbing my brain with a very sharp knife.
-------------------- One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ~ Helen Keller
My Lyme Story Posts: 2965 | From Land of Confusion (bitten in KS, moved to PA, now living in MD) | Registered: Jun 2007
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
Role of magnesium in the pathogenesis and treatment of migraine. Sun-Edelstein C, Mauskop A.
The New York Headache Center, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Magnesium is an important intracellular element that is involved in numerous cellular functions.
Deficiencies in magnesium may play an important role in the pathogenesis of migraine headaches by promoting cortical spreading depression, alteration of neurotransmitter release and the hyperaggregation of platelets.
Given this multifaceted role of magnesium in migraine, the use of magnesium in both acute and preventive headache treatment has been researched as a potentially simple, inexpensive, safe and well-tolerated option.
Studies have shown that preventive treatment with oral magnesium and acute headache treatment with intravenous magnesium may be effective, particularly in certain subsets of patients. In this review, the pathogenesis of migraine will be discussed, with an emphasis on the role of magnesium.
Studies on the use of intravenous and oral magnesium in migraine treatment will be discussed and recommendations will be made regarding the use of magnesium in treating migraine headaches.
posted
Do not get the doctor to prescribe Imitrex as its generic just came out and it sucks. Try to get Treximet which the makers of Imitrex just came out with. It has the same ingredients as Imitrex but one more so it is at least as good as the real Imitrex (generic seriously sucks) and probably better. I am not sure how the new Treximet is dosed as I haven't got my prescription for it filled yet. You can get a coupon on the Treximet website for a free first prescription (my co-pay is $40 so that will work!) I hope this works for you. I got migraines as a kid until they gave me an LP. I have a kid's mentality when it comes to them and cry just thinking about them...
quote:Originally posted by Momfromtexas: Pabs, Did they try pressure reduction by repeated lumbar punctures or a shunt? How well did it work?
Or the use of drugs such as Diamox and something that starts with Fio?? (can't remember right now)? Did these not work for your sons?
It can be caused by Minocycline and a couple of other drugs lyme patients might take.
Untreated, it can cause blindness, and other permanent brain changes.
Momfromtexas,
My sons had many LPs. The LP reduced the pressure, but the pressure would gradually rise to a high level. They had shunts put in last year. The shunting helped my younger son more than my older son.
My kids pressures were too high for Diamox. Their doctor said they couldn't take enough Diamox to bring their pressure to a normal amount.
My kids do not have the eye problems that are often found with PTC. They go to their ophthalmologist every 6 months. They have their visual field checked every year.
I had recently posted a list of meds that can increase intracranial pressure. I'll post that here too.
-------------------- Peggy
~ ~ Hope is a powerful medicine. ~ ~ Posts: 2775 | From MN | Registered: Apr 2001
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[dizzy]](graemlins/dizzy.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic