Constant Pain in Head - Never goes away - No answers. Ideas?

Posted by cmwatkins98 @cmwatkins98, Dec 8, 2025

Hello, I hope all of you are doing well. I have read through many of the posts and can sympathize with so many of you going through these tough situations. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

I have been dealing with constant pain in my head for the past 2 years now. The pain is there 24/7 and never goes away. The only thing that helps at all is using a cold compress wrap around my head but even that provides minimal relief. It is a pulsating pain that makes it feel like there is something crawling around in my head along with tightness, primarily in the back of the head and upper neck. It seems to radiate through the back and top of my head and behind my ears. I have also noticed some blurred vision and difficulty with concentration.

I started by seeing a Neurologist that diagnosed New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH) and treated it as migraine. I have tried a couple of different migraine meds that have not helped at all, one injection and one oral med. We then moved to trying Botox treatments but those also failed to provide any relief.

I saw a second Neurologist and a Pain Specialist who thought it was Occipital Neuralgia and possibly Dystonia. We tried nerve block injections and more Botox, both of which did not have any impact on the pain. I recently had a CMBB injection to see if it might make sense to do some sort of ablation but that too was unsuccessful as the numbing meds did not work with the first injection. To date, I have gone to see an ENT doctor, tried Chiropractic and Acupuncture, a Psychiatrist, etc. I have also had MRIs of both my head and cervical spine which did not show anything.

Nothing has worked and I still have this pain 24/7. I stopped calling it a headache and started referring to it as pain in my head because I am not sure that it is actually migraine related. It is very difficult to concentrate for more than a few minutes at a time. I can sometimes ignore the pain for short periods but overall I am finding life very difficult. I am sure I have missed some of the other things that I have tried thus far but I feel like I go to appointment after appointment with no answers. Each time I get my hopes up that the next thing will work only to get the let down when it doesn't. I was referred to yet another Neurologist/Headache Specialist but my appointment is 6 months out.

Just hoping that maybe someone here can provide some ideas. While I wouldn't wish this on anyone, this seems like a forum of others who have been suffering through similar issues so thought I would post here. Any thoughts would really be appreciated.

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waynen | @waynen | Jul 23 10:29am

I'm new to this but have similar issue. In March I had several cases of vertigo. My doctor instigated a number of tests and referrals, including MRIs. No one could find the problem and it wasn't from crystals in the ears. I think it is from Vestibular Migraines. It fits the description but my doctor said it's hard to diagnose. Triggers for the vertigo could be from caffeine, alcohol, other foods, loud sounds, and light. I haven't had the vertigo since I stopped caffeine, alcohol and eggs. Haven't had any vertigo since. However, my heart rate is very low, have brain fog, unsteadyness, and constant low levels headache. These also are symptoms of vestibular migraines. Has anyone been treated for vestibular migraines successfully?

jemollica | @jemollica | Jul 24 7:35am

I sympathize with you and can imagine what you’re going through as I have been suffering with pain 24/7 for the past 10 years that resulted from the removal of a massive central brain tumor in 2016 - have since had 9 brain surgeries which included a VP brain shunt and left anterior temporal lobectomy - I sustained multiple handicaps and seizures
I’ve tried numerous seizure meds- currently on 2 which has kept the outward seizures at bay - I was referred to to a migraine specialist and was on Botox and emigality injections which did nothing for my constant daily pain inside my head I’ve also tried Epidiolex again to no relief I feel like it’s an internal seizure sensations going on in the head I’ve also am hydrated well drinking 3 - 33oz bottles of water daily I take magnesium drink chamomile and soothing teas. And everything is to no avail I am currently awaiting my neurologist to find another add on medication that might help With Gods grace I hope she’s finds something that will but meanwhile I take one day at a time. And rest in bed most of the day quietly
I hope you will find answers and solutions that will help you as I know what you’re going through

headache247 | @headache247 | Jul 24 10:35am

In reply to @fourleaf "October 2020 my 24x7 Headaches / migraine started. Question – Did your neurologist mention if you..." + (show)

@fourleaf mine also started around this time. Just doesn't go away.

ccs5op | @ccs5op | Jul 28 1:28pm

I have a similar issue. I have had ongoing headaches/migraines, for 4 years. I have taken topiramate, rizatriptan, tizanidine, magnesium, seen the pain specialist for occipital nerve blocks and trigger point injections (no relief), botox (no relief), emgality (no relief), MRI shows nothing. My neck pain started 2 years in (that is when we tried tizanidine to no avail). Pain is non stop every day and I don't know what to do.

sweet1mamae | @sweet1mamae | 2 days ago

Dear CM,
My heart goes out to you and all others who suffer through these headaches/migraines. I've had mine for 3 yrs., and it truly curtails one's social life.
For me, my mainstay is loving my Lord, praying, remembering encouraging verses that I repeat to myself each day. Drink lots of water, get out and walk on a consistent basis, do gardening, have a hobby. I love feeding the birds, participating in the Cornell Bird Lab bird counts. Living life and being grateful.