Chronic severe nocturnal hypnic headaches

Let me first start by saying that I have NDPH, not migraines. So my use of Aimovig was more of a hail-mary, last-ditch attempt to find anything that might work. I was approved for 3 months of use, and my third month was a double dose. It made absolutely NO difference in the severity of my constant headache. So sadly, that is the end of that. Aimovig has now been added to the long list of pharmaceuticals that have no positive effect on my NDPH. I read on NDPHresearch.org that some people were getting relief after 6 months on the drug, but I was never able to get more info from that organization. My neurologist said that if I didn't get relief in 3 months, there's no reason why 6 would be better - something about how the drug works, I think. So, back to the drawing board.

Since I’ve read a few people experienced temporary reprieves from the Hypnic headaches, I remain cautiously optimistic since I haven’t had one since 22 December after finishing a hefty round of Prednisone. I’ve been able to eliminate melatonin and caffeine before bed. I still take only 25mg of Amitryptiline nightly. Praying you find some relief. Would love a better understanding of why they occur in the first place.

Let me first start by saying that I have NDPH, not migraines. So my use of Aimovig was more of a hail-mary, last-ditch attempt to find anything that might work. I was approved for 3 months of use, and my third month was a double dose. It made absolutely NO difference in the severity of my constant headache. So sadly, that is the end of that. Aimovig has now been added to the long list of pharmaceuticals that have no positive effect on my NDPH. I read on NDPHresearch.org that some people were getting relief after 6 months on the drug, but I was never able to get more info from that organization. My neurologist said that if I didn't get relief in 3 months, there's no reason why 6 would be better - something about how the drug works, I think. So, back to the drawing board.

I don't know that there are any recent treatments that help hypnic headaches. I think the standards are caffeine, tablet or cup of coffee, before bedtime, not after you have the headache. Also, melatonin and gabapentin are often used as is lithium. I am not aware of anything else. I have read everything I can find regarding hypnics, not that there is a lot. Also, I think it is unlikely you will find a doctor who has treated a lot of us in his/her career. There just are not that many of us. When you have them on a nightly basis it is absolutely exhausting, also it hardly makes you want to go to bed because you wonder how long you get to sleep before the "bang" of the hypnic comes. Try having a cup of coffee before bed, not after you get the headache. Have you tried melatonin? If so, how much? The standard dose for someone using melatonin seems to be 3 mg. That might be a good starting point, but you can certainly go up from there. That amount might have little, if any effect on your hypnics. Good luck. You are not alone.

Hi @timpowell84. I add my welcome to you. You'll notice that I removed your phone number. Connect is a public forum and we recommend that people not share personal contact information for security reasons. Also, I moved your posts to this existing discussion about hypnic headaches so you can connect with others talking about similar issues, like @jana15 @lwatson612 @meme59 @shaylala and others.

It is unimaginable that you have been suffering from these headaches for 17 years. It must be impossible to function with such sleep deprivation.

Hi, cherylsd, @taterjoy, @kdubois@lauriedr @teege1 @lisafl @dawn_giacabazi @jals. All of you have mentioned experiencing headaches at various times on Mayo Clinic Connect. Just wanted to check in with you and see how things are going with your headaches recently?

Lisa I'm new to this and confused how to properly reply I'm looking for either a doctor that has experienced with treating patients with retro ocular nocturnal hypnic headaches or even a patient that has experienced retro ocular behind the eyes hypnic nocturnal headaches and 17 years I have yet to meet somebody that says I know that pain you feel in your eyes and I can relate I can't be the only one

@timpowell84 - I've not, as of yet, seen any Connect members speaking about retro ocular hypnic nocturnal headache. I'm not seeing much in online literature, either, unfortunately. I'm seeing that the headache type most often associated with retro orbital pain is cluster headache. Wanted to confirm your headache type?

Lisa they changed the names of these headaches over the years and misdiagnosed them for years started off with migraines then it went to clusters then it went to retro ocular then it went to hypnic headache I don't think anybody knows what to call itI call it excruciating eyeball pain that wakes me up at the same time each night I have them causing sleep deprivation and all the ill effects that comes with it including hallucinations aggravation suicidal thoughts depression I'm looking for somebody who knows how to treat eyeball pain and feels like somebody's pushing on my eyeballs from the inside