Connect
← Return to What is the current thinking regarding Chronic Tension Type Headache?
Discussion
What is the current thinking regarding Chronic Tension Type Headache?
Headache & Migraine | Last Active: Mar 30 7:34pm | Replies (10)Comment receiving replies
Hi, I’m new here 👋
I was diagnosed around 4 years ago with cluster type tension headaches but have had nothing ever since!
But for the last 2 months I’ve had 2 weeks of headaches each month😢
Currently on my 9th day of headaches.
My health anxiety is so bad from them I feel like somethings wrong, I’m being told “it’s just a headache” “take some tablets” (tablets aren’t cutting it)
Just want some clarity if anyone has the same symptoms I’m due a doctors appointment tomorrow but my anxiety and panic is at a high tonight so could use some support.
-tight feeling around forehead and sides of head
-dull shooting pains in both sides of temples at different times (usually lasting nothing more than 5-6 seconds)
-dull shooting pains through face into jaw
-dull shooting pains at the bottom of my skull/neck
-pains in and around ear
-sore patch of scalp skin
Does anyone suffer with any of these symptoms with tension headaches?
Replies to "Hi, I’m new here 👋 I was diagnosed around 4 years ago with cluster type tension..."
@blonde96 have you seen a neurologist? I have migraines and your symptoms sound familiar. With having headaches for 14 out of 30 days a month, you fit the criteria for migraines. When mine started I too was told they were caused by stress and “tension”. It wasn’t until I had a minor car accident and the headaches went from very frequent, to constant that I sought out a neurologist. Testing revealed that they were migraines, which the neurologist felt I had been dealing with since age 12 - from my medical history. The car accident had caused cervical dystonia - nerve damage in neck muscles, causing constant muscle spasms in my neck and upper back which compressed nerve bundles coming from the base of the skull. The symptoms are very similar to tension headaches caused by anxiety. If you haven’t seen a neurologist, I would recommend that you do. The headaches can be stopped by the use of Botox injections in the affected areas involved. I’ll be praying for you, as I know what you are going through. Botox has literally given me my life back - just need to get the injections every three months to control the headaches.
Connect
Hi @blonde96 - glad you are here, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I wanted to let you know I moved your post here so you could connect with others talking about tension headache:
- What is the current thinking regarding Chronic Tension Type Headache? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-is-the-current-thinking-regarding-chronic-tension-type-headache/
Hoping here you can connect with @dlydailyhope @rx35285 and others who have backgrounds related to tension headache and can perhaps relate to anxiety.
How have you been feeling physically and emotionally the last couple hours this evening?